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December 10, 2007
Vick's dogs didn't get a plea deal
Just curious; what do you guys (and gals) think of Michael Vick's 23-month prison sentence?
I know it was within federal guidelines and all that, but it kind of bothered me that the feds let Vick enter a plea. If his partners in crime hadn't flipped on him and opted for plea-bargains of their own, I'm still convinced that Vick would be telling the whole world he had nothing to do with it, and that his legions of fans would believe it. The only reason he admitted guilt was that the rest of his buddies beat him to it in their scramble for deals.
With time off for good behavior, Vick could be out in the summer of 2009, setting himself up to return to football. I don't know how badly his skills will have eroded after two seasons out of the game, but he'll still be just 29. I do know that some teams will be interested.
Will the commish let him come back?
Yep. We all know how these things work; all Vick has to do is not get into any more trouble while in prison and continue to say all the right things about how he has learned his lesson. That's tough for me to swallow, but I've got a dog, and I think that figures into my opinion. I know people deserve second chances, but the dogs he killed never got them.-- Stan Olson
-- Story: Fallen star pays for his elusiveness
-- Poll: Would you accept Mike Vick as a Panther after his prison release?
Posted by Observer Sports on December 10, 2007 at 08:35 PM | Permalink
Comments
I'm all about giving people second chances. I believe that people can change. That being said, I don't think Goodall would let Vick back in the league unless Vick can prove that he has learned from his situation and has definitively changed. I have been watching Vick since he was at VT and to be honest I have never seen him learn from anything. Vick makes mistakes and then repeats them. It would be a great story if Vick could turn his life around and come back to the NFL, but don't hold your breath. He's got to prove that he can actually turn his life around first.
Posted by: Matt West | Dec 10, 2007 9:17:18 PM
Everyone deserves the chance once the court-ordered debt is paid, however the commissioner should give him a one strike policy, as well as make Vick give 25% of all of his earnings to charities that care for dogs, and make him spend time working at them every off-season. You can dock his pay, but he needs to spend time with these defenseless animals. In addition, he needs to have to talk to kids about why what he did was so wrong, how they need to actually get an education and become productive. My guess is he will screw up again within a year. The PR nightmare of any team that picks him up would be immense, but racist Atlanta would still be his best fit, because there, the color of your skin still counts for much more than the content of your character. I believe I have the experience to make that statement that most of you don't have - the behavior of fans to support him while this was going on was just and embarrassment to all the accomplishments made in the last 50 years. This whole gangster mentality has set the status as role model that a kid should follow in lieu of the one he does follow back to its low point. Young men from the "disadvantaged" areas of town are much more likely to know who the latest rapper or sports thug is instead of the President, Governor, mayor, teachers, preachers and other truly accomplished individuals.
So, Vick should come back, and if by some miracle he can fly right, he will be even more of an inspiration to kids that desperately need proper role models. Do I believe it is within him? No.
Posted by: Willy | Dec 10, 2007 9:36:11 PM
I can't stand him and love the fact that he will be rotting in a jail cell for a while. Wish his cell could be the size of the kennels he stuck the dogs in though. I hope he goes to a real prison and not some white collar place either.
Never liked his attitude when he was at Tech and his brother Marcus is just as bad. Bet his mother was crying because her meal ticket got cut off and not cause he was sentenced to 23 months!
Posted by: Lynn | Dec 10, 2007 9:41:33 PM
I'm just glad Vick got what he deserved for his cruel and heinous acts. No football player should get a break because of his football popularity. What Vick did made me sick. How could he kill dogs? He deserves time in prison.
Posted by: O.J. Simpson | Dec 10, 2007 9:46:03 PM
I remember vicks's first year when everyone in ATL wanted him to go ahead and start. There was a Fox broadcas Falcons home game and QB chris chandler went down and was laying injured on the field. In the player's wives' section, Vick's mom and relatives started cheering "oohh my boy is gonna start!!". Chandler's wife understandably took exception to that cruelty and selfishness and there was an alercation.
So whe I heard vick's mom was crying uncontrollably today in the court room, all I could think was "karma's a bitch, ain't it?"
Posted by: 309-18-1-2 | Dec 10, 2007 9:51:50 PM
It's good to see so many people who are in favor of him actually getting punished. It seems there are still a lot of people who consider these dogs 'just animals'. Well, true, they are. But technically, so are we. Just because something is classified as an 'animal' does not make it any less worthy of humane treatment. To me, the fact that any living creature could do such horrible things to another is sickning. Whether it's person to person or person to dog does not matter. It shows clear disregard for life, of any kind, and for compassion.
Someone who would be so vicious does not deserve wealth, or fame, or anything of the sort. And like the gentleman above said, is no role model. And does not deserve to be in a position of one.
Posted by: Jessica | Dec 10, 2007 9:59:38 PM
As usual comments are published by those who have personal biases or harbor some form of bigotry. Mike Vick committed a crime and is going to jail so just let it go. Why do you need to talk about his mother or brother or any person that hasn't been convicted of this crime. The media isn't talking about Jim Black like this, losing sleep and he was an elected offical. Somebody that you put your trust in. Maybe is mother or wife is sad becuase they can't steal any more money from stupid people like you. Mike Vick is a product of his environment what's your excuse Lynn? His fall from grace isn't unlike many others in our society as there are far worse crimes being committed like the lady who set a hosue on fire with her kids in it. Matbe she was a product of the local trailer park and didn't know any better or maybe she was a crazy person who made a terrible decision. It seems that we hate Mike Vick for his talent and his ability to play a game that in the real world has little relevance to the issues that we face as a country (war, a sagging economy and homelessness). And just think you probably voted for George W. Bush!
Posted by: Anthony | Dec 10, 2007 10:03:48 PM
The punishment was to harsh. He should have received no more than 6 months probation. Geez, we're talking about dogs. An animal people in some parts of the world consider as food. Hey Stan where was your outrage when the Auburn football player was attacked and bitten on national tv by a police dog? Hmm,just like I thought. Get your ptiorities in order.
Posted by: Aggie Decks | Dec 10, 2007 10:15:08 PM
I have a few things to say about this. First, Vick only got a few more months than his "friends" who provided the govt. with the information necessary to prosecute Vick. I think that there should've been a greater disparity in the sentencing for their cooperation. Whether that means his friends get a shorter sentence or Vick gets a longer sentence, I don't know. Next, does 23 months behind bars fit the crime? Once again, I don't know, I think he probably should've received more time BUT in relation to other crimes, I think that he will spend too much time in jail. I don't have official statistics but I know people who have gotten their ass beat down and the people responsible don't get time like Vick got. The penal system just doesn't get enough funding to properly hold criminals accountable. That brings me to Anthony's comments. Why would a local politician like Jim Black get the notoriety that Vick has? Vick committed VIOLENT CRIMES - PLURAL!! Also, something tells me that J Black (sentenced to 63 months BTW, not 23) doesn't carry the same clout with impressionable kids that Mike Vick does. Vick's fame allows the justice system to let everyone else know how wrong the crime is and bring attention to the widespread problem. Another thing, why is Vick involving himself in behavior like this? He had the world in his hands, he certainly didn't need the money. Do I think race plays a part in some of these peoples comments? Most likely and that in itself is really sad but if it was found out that Steve Young did these same acts, there would be just as much outrage if not more because (as a result of the nation's latent racism) people probably don't expect something like this to come from a white athlete. Next, did anyone say that what Vick did is worse that piece of trash mom did in Concord? I don't know anyone that could justify that. Personally, I don't care if Vick or the mom were products of their environments. Everyone has an excuse but certain things are completely unacceptable and torturing dogs because of their inability to fight and locking your kids in a house then burning it down are completely unacceptable. It's a shame that not everyone starts on a level playing field but at some point you have to be accountable for your actions and people must recognize that wrong is wrong, regardless of who his the wrongdoer. The reason more people talk about Vick is because his Vick is compelling. Man, I can go on forever about this and I'm already half way there so I'll bring it to an end. In relation to other crimes, Vick will in all likelihood have spent too much time in jail in relation to other crimes but that points to our failure as a country to our level of commitment in law enforcement/crime prevention. Also that Vick was even involved in behavior like this is indicative of a greater problem in society. FYI, I voted for Kerry.
Posted by: Chris | Dec 10, 2007 10:47:02 PM
In my opinion, that breed of dog should not be allowed as a pet. That's a vicious animal that should be labeled as such and banned in households. The only purpose I see for such an animal is in law enforcement. The rest should be put down. How many more stories do we want to hear of Pit Bulls mauling someone to death, especially a child?
Posted by: Andy | Dec 10, 2007 11:19:11 PM
I think Vick should have gotten alot more time. When this first broke he lied. Vick said he didn't have anything to do with dogfighting. Then his buddies turned on him. He admitted guilt but not once have I heard him say he was sorry about taking innocent creatures lives.
A product of his environment???? Gimme a break! That is nothing but an excuse! And society today has alot of excuses for abhorable behavior. Vick needs to suck it up and take TOTAL responsibility for his actions. So do others that commit crimes.
An animal is a defenseless living being. They depend on humans for their life. And what do they give in return? UNCONDITIONAL love.
I am an owner of a Pitbull. She is the most loving of all of my dogs. My chihuahua will bite you before my pittie would even think about it. Pitbulls are NOT a bad breed. It's what humans have done to them.
Punish the person who does the bad deed, not the breed.
Posted by: Kat Thomas | Dec 10, 2007 11:55:13 PM
I thought that Vick should have got 40 month prison sentence.For killing dogs. and acting like it not a big deal send the wrong message to all the young kids who sow Vick as role model.As far playing in the NFL again i don't believe that will see Vick in the NFL again .It will be to much of risk for a team to take.And please even if the panthers will have a QB problem like they do this year what ever they do don't for sec think of signing Vick
Posted by: John young | Dec 11, 2007 12:12:31 AM
Michael and his brother Marcus Vick will not ever play football again. They both have something in common: brothers, corrupt, criminals, not playing in the NFL and troublemakers.
Posted by: DST | Dec 11, 2007 12:17:04 AM
Let's face it. Vick and his family are bad people. If he had never played football, he'd have been in prison anyway. Money and opportunity don't change bad people. Environment has very little to do with it.
Posted by: Authority on Everything | Dec 11, 2007 8:37:59 AM
WOW! Michael Vick gets two years for killing dogs and Steve Smith serves no time for beating a teammate beyond recognition. Ah...I get it...Smitty is or was making The Richardsons money by putting fannies in the stands. I never have understood the forgiveness Mr. Smith has received in this community. His attack was brutal and unprovoked. Somehow he has managed to become a saint in this town. I think it is a product of what he has done for the team. It is disgusting. But his days are numbered. He has another violent outbreak in is future.
Posted by: Buster | Dec 11, 2007 8:45:42 AM
Vick got his time. Only in America would a dog's life mean more than the livelihood of black people. We kill animals for sport all the time. What are all the balls we play our games with made out of? And yes, those same animal rights groups who blew up Vick's case have lobbied all pro sports to stop slaughtering animals, for sport, to make balls and guess what...they had NO credibility.
Posted by: Andre | Dec 11, 2007 8:48:44 AM
I am a moron dont listen to me... i dont know the difference between legal stuff and nonlegal stuff....
dogfightinh is illegal i guess.. killing animals like cows and pigs for food, then using the skins for footballs/basketballs is not illegal
Posted by: Andre | Dec 11, 2007 8:55:12 AM
possibly Vick also flipped on people even higher up in the org. than him. If thats the case, its understandable why they gave him a plea.
Posted by: funnyguy | Dec 11, 2007 9:27:53 AM
Arthur Blank should fire every Falcon that participated in any "Free Michael Vick" stuff in the game last night, like the idiot that scored a TD in the Falcons listless loss then held up his jersey to reveal Free Mike Vick on his tee shirt. His stupid supporters should stop playing the race card, and look at what he actually did. He violated the statutes against organized crime, was the head and funder of a crime family that participated in illegal, organized activity across state lines. You want to compare sentences, compare what Vick got to what Italian Americans received for being part of the mafia. I don't know what prison he is going to, but I imagine some big, sweaty redneck can't wait to give him a "prison howdy". Racist Atlanta and anyone that supports him and can turn a blind eye to his funding of organized crime are simply examples of how people hold themselves down by blaming all their problems on someone else. They have swallowed the pablum dispensed by those whose main desire is to remain in elected office by created an entire class of government-assistance people that will groupthink any way they are told, as long as the check keeps coming. The whole Vick situation is a reflection of the low tide point that Bill Cosby and Alvin Poussant speak of.
All that said, I still believe that if Vick serves the punishment given by the court system, he should be given a chance for a fresh start, but not with any naive ideas of letting his actions go unverified. A long probation period with only one chance for an error should be part of the package.
Posted by: Willy | Dec 11, 2007 12:20:32 PM
This is the biggest bunch of nonsense. Vick had to go to jail because of someone else's opinion. I never thought of dogs as in the house pets until I went to college and saw kids with them in their apartments. I seen them licking the dogs in the mouth. I could not believe that sh*t. A incompetent team of lawyers, PETA, race, and his athletic ability got Vick into this. His lawyers were terrible. Attack those punks' on the stand. What do they do for a living? PETA is complete hypocrisy. Unless all of those people are vegetarians, which they are not, they have nothing to say. Black people just plain don't feel about dogs the same as white people. Vick is one of three black athletic quarterbacks who has been allowed to play quarterback. Then he became popular with endorsements. When I went to China we ate dog. Hundreds of greyhounds are killed every year by rich people after dog races. Who cares right? This country will always find a way to keep a double standard.
Posted by: Norecross | Dec 11, 2007 1:40:09 PM
The key issue for the NFL on considering the return of Michael Vick is the infraction of league rules which has nothing to do with the Federal, and later State laws. This involves the aiding and abetting of gambling. The running of a gambling endeavor and providing funds for a gambling establishment, to which Vick has admitted, is a clear and unquestionable contravention of the NFL rule for all members of an NFL organization, including players and all others of every franchise, staff and league office. This is the behavior for which the commissioner will have to act, or the rule against involvement in betting and gambling will become useless. I anticipate that the Commissioner will levy a year or two of suspension, with probation following. This is similar to the Paul Hornung and Alex Karres situation in the 1960's. They were star players who were suspended for their gambling behaviors and spent the 1963 season in the stands rather than on the field. This is the hammer the commissioner can withhold until necessary and after all other legal requirements are completed
Posted by: tarhoosier | Dec 11, 2007 1:43:27 PM
The key issue for the NFL on considering the return of Michael Vick is the infraction of league rules which has nothing to do with the Federal, and later State laws. This involves the aiding and abetting of gambling. The running of a gambling endeavor and providing funds for a gambling establishment, to which Vick has admitted, is a clear and unquestionable contravention of the NFL rule for all members of an NFL organization, including players and all others of every franchise, staff and league office. This is the behavior for which the commissioner will have to act, or the rule against involvement in betting and gambling will become useless. I anticipate that the Commissioner will levy a year or two of suspension, with probation following. This is similar to the Paul Hornung and Alex Karres situation in the 1960's. They were star players who were suspended for their gambling behaviors and spent the 1963 season in the stands rather than on the field. This is the hammer the commissioner can withhold until necessary and after all other legal requirements are completed
Posted by: tarhoosier | Dec 11, 2007 1:44:54 PM
Norecross, thanks for proving my point.
Posted by: Willy | Dec 11, 2007 1:53:02 PM
Vick applies for reinstatement to play in the NFL. Goddell denies him and then Al Sharpton shows up and protest and then NFL allows him back. The Raiders pick him up for a couple of years. Then he retires and after a couple of years he is charged with burglary and robbery for his supposedly stolen merchandise. He then ends up back in prison with OJ as a cellmate. Just my opinion.
Posted by: biggdad | Dec 11, 2007 2:27:27 PM
I never thought I’d live to see the day that killing a dog would bring much greater penalty than killing a person.
Michael Vick does something admittedly bad, but that pales in comparison to taking a human life.
Since Vick is a football player, let’s use this example.
Leonard Little has had at least 2 run-ins with the law. Back in 1998, he ran a red light and slammed into another vehicle while drunk (nearly twice the legal limit) and killed a St. Louis mom. He pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and spent 90 nights in jail – with daytime work release so he could continue practicing with the team. He also got four years of probation.
The boy left motherless said 5 years later that he had never received an apology from Little or from his team, the Rams.
This personal revelation came out in 2003 when Little was arrested again for drunk driving and speeding. He failed three field sobriety tests and admitted to drinking.
The NFL only suspended Little for half a season for the manslaughter charge, and sportswriter Jon Saraceno was calling for a permanent ban after the second arrest.
Yet in 2005 the player received only two months probation for speeding and was completely acquitted on the DUI charge despite all the evidence.
[Bizarrely, the judge mandated that Little could not drink alcohol for his two years of probation. Umm, if he was acquitted on alcohol charges then how can you say anything about his drinking???]
Because of his previous drunk driving arrest, Little was supposed to be serving a 4-year sentence, but the defense said the officers didn’t give the sobriety test exactly the right way, so he got off on a technicality.
And even though it was his second arrest and second time found guilty of some charge, the NFL didn’t suspend him at all.
Oh, and in between the two arrests, he signed a five-year, $17.6 million contract.
And let’s not forget that Ray Lewis and his entourage killed two men in Atlanta back in 2000. He lied to police about what happened when his posse killed the guys and he helped them get away in his limo.
He was facing a huge sentence for being an accessory to murder, but only ended up pleading guilty to obstruction of justice and was never suspended by the league at all. He continues to make millions a years and got his likeness on Madden 2005.
Adam “Pac Man” Jones instigates a strip club brawl and has a friend fire off bullets, striking three people, and just this week he gets probation. By the way, this was Pac Man’s sixth arrest in 2 ½ years, and still he only got a one-year NFL suspension.
In summary, Leonard Little gets work release and a total of 8 games of suspension. Ray Lewis no time or suspension at all. Jamal Lewis (arrest for drug trafficking and a few months in jail) gets only 4 games’ suspension.
Michael Vick organizes dogfighting matches and gets an indefinite suspension. Between the loss of his NFL contract, his endorsement deals and his signing bonuses that have to be paid back to the team, Michael Vick will now be forced into bankruptcy, while Leonard Little, Ray Lewis and friends continue to make hundreds of thousands of dollars every Sunday.
It’s too bad PETA doesn’t care about soccer moms.
Posted by: Air Borden | Dec 11, 2007 2:28:59 PM
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