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Getbig Misc Discussion Boards => Sports Discussion Boards => Topic started by: jmt1 on May 12, 2007, 12:07:52 PM
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i put this up on the pet board also.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2866012
ATLANTA -- Two friends of Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick are convinced he has been involved in illegal dog fighting at a home he owns in Virginia, they told SI.com on Thursday, despite Vick's denials.
"He knows what's going on in that house in Virginia," one unnamed source told SI.com. "There's not a doubt in my mind he's involved with it."
A second source, quoted by SI.com, said Vick has a longtime "affinity" for the culture surrounding dog fighting.
On Wednesday, Falcons head coach Bobby Petrino said he hopes his star quarterback will soon be cleared of any connection to the dozens of dogs found last month at the home Vick owns in Smithfield, Va. Police were conducting a drug raid on the house at the time the dogs were discovered.
"I need to believe in Michael," said Petrino, the Falcons' coach since January. "Since I've been here, a couple of situations have come up and we've talked about them. His track record with me is that he's told me the truth. I'm going to believe what Michael tells me."
In interviews given during the NFL draft, Vick blamed wayward relatives for taking advantage of his generosity and insisted that he's rarely at the Virginia house -- even though he owns it.
Falcons owner Arthur Blank, contacted by SI.com by phone on Wednesday, also denied insinuations that he has been soft on his $130 million quarterback.
"There's no coddling going on here,'' Blank said to SI.com. "Whatever is 180 degrees from that, that's the reality. The [financial] investment we've made in him has nothing to do with the way we treat him. When Michael has done something wrong that has been documented, we've had very direct conversations with him. We don't have all the facts of the [dog fighting] investigation, but obviously the story's not developing well. Which is one of the reasons why I asked [commissioner Roger Goodell] to speak to Michael about the situation and to be as stern as he felt he needed to be.''
Vick told ESPN during the draft that he had met face-to-face with Goodell in late April. In the interview, Vick pledged he would make changes in his life.
"I'm taking it upon myself and giving everybody my word that things are going to get changed around," Vick said in the interview. "Things are going to get turned around. I have a game plan for it. ... The company I keep, a lot of things [have] got to change, and I mean that from the heart."
Blank added that he expects Vick's behavior to change.
"I would say Michael understands, and I told him he is in essence on a short leash,'' Blank told SI.com. "His behavior cannot go on this way. His actions need to be different; his decisions need to be different. He can't just talk about changing things, he has to change his life. He says he understands, and I'm hoping he's being truthful with us and wants to deal with it. I hope he has the personal strength. I think it's very appropriate to say he's at a crossroads.''
Vick does have an apparent interest in breeding animals such as pit bulls and Rottweilers. A Web site for "Mike Vick K-9 Kennels'' includes a disclaimer that any of its dogs are used for fighting, which is banned nationwide and is a felony in 48 states, including Virginia and Georgia.
Another Web site for an Atlanta-area breeder, Sanders Kennels, shows a picture of Vick holding a Presa Canario puppy, an animal that it says is "bred for loyalty, protection, guarding, and peace of mind. They can and will protect.''
The Falcons begin a three-day minicamp this weekend, with Petrino looking to install his offense and see what several rookies might bring to his team.
"This weekend is a situation where we have to focus everything on football," Petrino said. "That's what I'm going to talk about over the weekend. We only have five practices and one mandatory minicamp. We've got to take all the distractions, put them on the shelf and concentrate on football. I'm going to instruct our team to do that."
Information from The Associated Press is included in this report
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The owner of the falcons said the more details he gets the more "ugly" things look. If Vick is connected to this crap, he should never play in the nfl again. The lowest of the low fight dogs to the death. You guys know how I am about dog fighting and how pits and other breeds get bad name due to that shit.
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The owner of the falcons said the more details he gets the more "ugly" things look. If Vick is connected to this crap, he should never play in the nfl again. The lowest of the low fight dogs to the death. You guys know how I am about dog fighting and how pits and other breeds get bad name due to that shit.
Right there with you, chief. If the accusations prove to be true, the guy deserves to lose the privilige of playing as a professional athlete in the NFL. I would always take pleasure in beating the ever loving shit of anyone I found out that set up dog fights. Fucking cocksuckers!
The house where the dog fights allegedlly took place was quickly listed, sold and purchased for less than half it's sale price of $775,000+ within days of these charges. Strange, huh?
Vick, piece of shit that he is, definitely knows AND is trying to hide something. God, I wish Kelly Gregg of the Ravens would've pancaked his ass when he made that hellacious sack on him last season.
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The owner of the falcons said the more details he gets the more "ugly" things look. If Vick is connected to this crap, he should never play in the nfl again. The lowest of the low fight dogs to the death. You guys know how I am about dog fighting and how pits and other breeds get bad name due to that shit.
I agree completely although that won't happen. There's too much money wrapped up in Vick for that to be the case.
Dog fighting is the lowest of the low though. Imagine sitting there and watching two dogs fight to the death? No, thanks.
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Complete this sentence " Vick is a worthless......."
So many words, so little time! ;D
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waste of talent
pile of garbage
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From Norfolk VA area breed rescue (Not-Rott) group -
Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2007 8:04 AM
Subject: Michael Vick Dog fighting
Last night on ABC's local news (WVEC - Norfolk VA) channel,
http://www.wvec.com/news/topstories/....6c10df24.html
a local reporter tried to interview the district attorney (Commonwealth's Attorney Gerald Poindexterin) Surry County concerning the dogfighting ring at Michael Vick's residence. The district attorney was belligerent and ugly and appeared to not want to press charges against Vick. For those of you who haven't been following the news - the local police have hard evidence that Vick is heavily involved in dogfighting and had been at the property on several occasions during fights. The local police are being stonewalled by the local district attorney about pressing charges. They are so frustrated they have tried going to the federal authorities who have declined because the local district attorney hasn't acted on it yet. Several local attorneys who have experience in prosecuting dog fighting charges have contacted the district attorney to offer their assistance in prosecuting this and he won't even return their calls.
(804) 786-2071
Administrators for Surrey County VA:
Tyrone W. Franklin
County Administrator
E-Maill Address: twfranklin@co.surry.state.va.us
John B. Edwards, Jr.
Assistant County Administrator
E-Mail Address: jbedwards@co.surry.state.va.us
P. O. Box 65
Surry,Virginia 23883
Phone: (757) 294-5271
Fax: (757) 294-5204
County Website:
http://tinyurl.com/2c2m8e
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The owner of the falcons said the more details he gets the more "ugly" things look. If Vick is connected to this crap, he should never play in the nfl again. The lowest of the low fight dogs to the death. You guys know how I am about dog fighting and how pits and other breeds get bad name due to that shit.
He will get a slap on the wrist. :-\
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it would really be a damn shame if the da decides not to go after this punk.
hopefully the owner of the falcons will continue to looking into this and suspend him.
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He will get a slap on the wrist. :-\
Not with Roger Goodell running things imo. This is the wrong time to be involved in anything like this. If this story turns out to be true, expect Vick to get suspended for at least a year. Not to mention the pitbull advocates, and animal rights groups that will tear this clown apart. Pacman was never convicted of most his crimes. If Vick is linked to this, and charges are brought, the NFL will drop the hammer on him. This type of shit is digusting. A rich and famous NFl player fighting pits to the death? That is scum bag stat.
Witnesses tie Vick to Dog Fighting
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6816928
The lead investigator in the dog-fighting investigation at a home that was owned by Michael Vick says there may be evidence that can directly tie him to fights at the property.
Kathy Strouse, Animal Control coordinator for the City of Chesapeake, says there may be a videotape showing Vick at dogfights and that she has talked with individuals who can "put Vick on the property" during matches in an interview with Yahoo.com.
Vick has said that he rarely visited the house and that relatives living there were responsible for any misdeeds. He put the house up for sale last week and it is currently under contract.
Strouse also said she is "very confident" authorities will link Vick directly to the dog fighting and called out the prosecutor for not being more aggressive. "He was at the home and saw the equipment that we seized. When we were there, he said he had enough right there to issue an indictment."
The Falcons say they can't comment on the specifics of the dog-fighting case until officials in Virginia reach a decision on whether to file charges. The prosecutor handling the case and the sheriff who oversaw the raid have not responded to repeated requests for interviews.
Vick's cousin, who lived at the home, was the target of a drug case that led authorities to search the property. Investigators reported finding dozens of dogs - some of them injured and malnourished - along with items associated with organized fighting, such as treadmills for training, jaw-prying sticks, veterinary drugs commonly used to treat wounds and blood-soaked carpeting.
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Not with Roger Goodell running things. This is the wrong time to be involved in anything like this. If this story turns out to be true, expect Vick to get suspended for at least a year. Not to mention the pitbull advocates, and animal rights groups that will tear this clown apart. pacman was never convicted of anything. If Vick is linked to this, and charges are brought, the NFL will drop the hammer on him
Witnesses tie Vick to Dog Fighting
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6816928
The lead investigator in the dog-fighting investigation at a home that was owned by Michael Vick says there may be evidence that can directly tie him to fights at the property.
Kathy Strouse, Animal Control coordinator for the City of Chesapeake, says there may be a videotape showing Vick at dogfights and that she has talked with individuals who can "put Vick on the property" during matches in an interview with Yahoo.com.
Vick has said that he rarely visited the house and that relatives living there were responsible for any misdeeds. He put the house up for sale last week and it is currently under contract.
Strouse also said she is "very confident" authorities will link Vick directly to the dog fighting and called out the prosecutor for not being more aggressive. "He was at the home and saw the equipment that we seized. When we were there, he said he had enough right there to issue an indictment."
The Falcons say they can't comment on the specifics of the dog-fighting case until officials in Virginia reach a decision on whether to file charges. The prosecutor handling the case and the sheriff who oversaw the raid have not responded to repeated requests for interviews.
Vick's cousin, who lived at the home, was the target of a drug case that led authorities to search the property. Investigators reported finding dozens of dogs - some of them injured and malnourished - along with items associated with organized fighting, such as treadmills for training, jaw-prying sticks, veterinary drugs commonly used to treat wounds and blood-soaked carpeting.
Guy's a motherless sack of shit. He's got fucking herpes on top of it. Fucking Ron Mexico........
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Ron Mexico is in a shit ton of trouble. The NFL is the most successful sports organization on the planet. they package and produce the tightest sports product out there. Goodall has fried everybody since he took over. He won't let Vick get away with anything especially this crap. Dog fighting ::). His biggets problem could be with Arthur Blank and the Falcon front office if they smoke him for a season.................. .......AND THEY TRADED SHAUB. Thats all i thought about when it came out.
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Guy's a motherless sack of shit. He's got fucking herpes on top of it. Fucking Ron Mexico........
LMAO!
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LMAO!
Body, you remember reading about that? How some chick in Virginia was accusing him of giving her herpes? Happened about 3 years ago.
Now that I think about it.......here's the link!
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0405051vick1.html
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I'm sure more NFL players will be named
Joey Porter?? would not surprise me
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Body, you remember reading about that? How some chick in Virginia was accusing him of giving her herpes? Happened about 3 years ago.
Now that I think about it.......here's the link!
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0405051vick1.html
Yes, lmao!!!!! That line was classic. "That damn Ron mexico" is to be said after we hear/post about Vick doing something stupid and or illegal.
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Body, you remember reading about that? How some chick in Virginia was accusing him of giving her herpes? Happened about 3 years ago.
Now that I think about it.......here's the link!
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0405051vick1.html
SHe's damn Health Care worker....and she didn't use condom >:(
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California congressman's letter urged strong action against Vick
Associated Press
Updated: May 18, 2007, 9:08 PM ET
A California congressman has joined the cause against Michael Vick, firing off a letter Friday that urged NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to "act swiftly and forcefully" if the Atlanta Falcons quarterback was involved in dog fighting on his former property.
U.S. Rep. Tom Lantos (D-Calif.) pointed out that he's a senior member of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which two years ago held highly publicized hearings on the use of performance-enhancing drugs in professional sports.
Lantos raised the prospect of government intervention if the NFL fails to discipline Vick.
"I am outraged that one of the National Football League's superstars is affiliated with such a heinous enterprise," Lantos wrote.
Last month, police raided a Virginia home owned by Vick and allegedly found evidence of a major dog-fighting operation, including dozens off malnourished and injured dogs. The quarterback has denied any wrongdoing, and no criminal charges have been filed against him.
Vick has since sold the home.
"The level of cruelty involved in exploiting animals to the point that 60 malnourished and injured dogs were removed from Mr. Vick's property is mind boggling," Lantos said. "I will view anything less than the strongest repudiation of Mr. Vick's involvement as tacit support for this atrocious activity."
The NFL has said repeatedly it is investigating the case to determine if Vick violated the commissioner's tougher standards for players who run afoul of the law. Reached Friday, Falcons spokesman Reggie Roberts reiterated the team's policy of not commenting until the investigation is completed.
Calling himself a longtime advocate of animal welfare, Lantos joined two prominent animals rights groups that have called on Goodell to suspend or ban any players involved in dog fighting.
"As evidence of Mr. Vick's involvement mounts, I implore you to act swiftly and forcefully," the congressman wrote. "Your strong rebuke of dog fighting -- and those who promote it -- will send the message that this all-too-prevalent practice has no place in a civilized society."
In a not-so-subtle threat of possible congressional action, Lantos reminded the commissioner of his committee's efforts to weed out those who use performance-enhancing drugs.
"I also suggest you educate your players on the illegality and cruelty of dog fighting to prevent this from happening again," Lantos wrote. "It is my hope that the issue of animal fighting will not require us to further investigate the behavior of your athletes."
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2875320
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props to congressman lantos for steppin up on this.
hopefully the da's office in va will stop dragging their feet and feel the pressure to file some chargers.
from everything ive been reading the evidence in this case is overwhelming that vick was involved.
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props to congressman lantos for steppin up on this.
hopefully the da's office in va will stop dragging their feet and feel the pressure to file some chargers.
from everything ive been reading the evidence in this case is overwhelming that vick was involved.
I thought he did fine till his threat at the end: "It is my hope that the issue of animal fighting will not require us to further investigate the behavior of your athletes."
Rampant steroid abuse for decades and Lantos is silent. Abuse some dogs (which is awful) and you get Congressional intervention.
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I thought he did fine till his threat at the end: "It is my hope that the issue of animal fighting will not require us to further investigate the behavior of your athletes."
Rampant steroid abuse for decades and Lantos is silent. Abuse some dogs (which is awful) and you get Congressional intervention.
Guys where beating the tests, and using substances they cannot test for (hgh). A lot of guys took sauce, but the bigger majority stayed clean.. Dog fighting is sick, cruel and a felony. Imo dog fighting is a whole different ballgame then some players choosing to use riods.
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Guys where beating the tests, and using substances they cannot test for (hgh). A lot of guys took sauce, but the bigger majority stayed clean.. Dog fighting is sick, cruel and a felony. Imo dog fighting is a whole different ballgame then some players choosing to use riods.
For decades they either weren't tested at all or were given one or two scheduled tests a year. That's why only one or two dummies came up hot every year. I don't think hgh came on the scene as the drug of choice till much later in the game. My belief is that more than half the guys in the NFL were on the sauce. The coaches, GMs, presidents, league office, etc. all knew who was using and turned a blind eye. They still know. Just like baseball.
I'm not trying to downplay dog fighting, but it has nothing to with guys cheating on the field and has no impact on the game.
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For decades they either weren't tested at all or were given one or two scheduled tests a year. That's why only one or two dummies came up hot every year. I don't think hgh came on the scene as the drug of choice till much later in the game. My belief is that more than half the guys in the NFL were on the sauce. The coaches, GMs, presidents, league office, etc. all knew who was using and turned a blind eye. They still know. Just like baseball.
I'm not trying to downplay dog fighting, but it has nothing to with guys cheating on the field and has no impact on the game.
I can see your point. Imo there is a slight backlash and the term "witch hunt" is tossed around when the gov starts using resources to investigate athletes hitting the sauce. When something like a dog fighting charge is brought to light I think it is much easier to nail someone to the wall.
I agree with you 100 percent about how the MLB turned a blind eye to what was going on. All those home runs are what revitalized the game to a degree. The steroid era was important to baseball. It is a disgrace, but it is true.
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look at this quote from clinton portis...
Clinton Portis Backs Michael Vick, Says Dog Fighting is Fine
May 20th, 2007 by Ryan Spoon
“I don’t know if he was fighting dogs or not, but it’s his property, it’s his dog,” Portis told WAVY-TV. “If that’s what he wants to do, do it. I think people should mind their business.”
http://sportswrap.berecruited.com/2007/05/20/clinton-portis-backs-michael-vick-says-dog-fighting-is-fine/
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look at this quote from clinton portis...
Clinton Portis Backs Michael Vick, Says Dog Fighting is Fine
May 20th, 2007 by Ryan Spoon
“I don’t know if he was fighting dogs or not, but it’s his property, it’s his dog,” Portis told WAVY-TV. “If that’s what he wants to do, do it. I think people should mind their business.”
http://sportswrap.berecruited.com/2007/05/20/clinton-portis-backs-michael-vick-says-dog-fighting-is-fine/
Haha, proof positive Portis is as ignorant/uneducated as they come. Even the dumbest, most ignorant, individual would understand fighting dogs to the death is wrong. The lowest of the low encourage this type of cruelty. The funny part is this guy has millions of dollars and is a supposed "role model". What a embarrassment to the NFL. I saw this clown on MTV cribs years back. Walking around with a "pimp cup" , pants sagging to his ankles, speaking in ebonics. He was trying to act "hard". Cant say i'm surprised.
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http://www.bangcartoon.com/2007/dogpile.htm
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lol...funny cartoon.
hopefully the real life story will have a better ending.
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Thats why i hope that Vick gets slammed. Portis is an idiot. Why this guy(Vick) was ever touted as the face of the NFL, i'll never know.
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Thats why i hope that Vick gets slammed. Portis is an idiot. Why this guy(Vick) was ever touted as the face of the NFL, i'll never know.
Because he runs about a sub 4.3 40, has a cannon for an arm, has Barry Sanders-like moves, and plays QB. As the NFL has shown for years, you can have bad character (like Vick and his brother), but as long as you can run, throw, block, tackle, etc. and can at least stay out of prison, you will have a job in the NFL.
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Because he runs about a sub 4.3 40, has a cannon for an arm, has Barry Sanders-like moves, and plays QB. As the NFL has shown for years, you can have bad character (like Vick and his brother), but as long as you can run, throw, block, tackle, etc. and can at least stay out of prison, you will have a job in the NFL.
I think he's garbage for what he did.
I also don't think that he'll ever amount to much as a pro quaterback. He has awful judgment and the throwing accuracy of Ray Charles.
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Yeah he sucks..great athlete but horrible QB.
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lol...funny cartoon.
hopefully the real life story will have a better ending.
I hope so to.
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here is the vid of clinton portis along with chris samuals speaking out in favor of vick.
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I think he's garbage for what he did.
I also don't think that he'll ever amount to much as a pro quaterback. He has awful judgment and the throwing accuracy of Ray Charles.
He proved he has no character when he pulled his Ron Mexico stunt.
But on the field, I give him a pass (so to speak). Next to McNabb (before T.O.) and Leftwich, Vick may have had the worst set of WRs in the entire NFL for pretty much his entire career. They still haven't adequately addressed the WR position. Horn was a dud last year. He might be done as a WR1.
And even with his horrible WR group, he has had some pretty solid years. He has also a three-time Pro Bowler and has a very good record as a starter (or least he did before last season). He's arguably the most dangerous player in the NFL.
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here is the vid of clinton portis along with chris samuals speaking out in favor of vick.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Tuesday he was "extremely disappointed and embarrassed" by comments made by Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis about dogfighting, The Washington Post reported.
On Monday, Portis, asked about the investigation into an alleged dogfighting ring at a home then owned by Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, ridiculed authorities for pursuing possible charges. Tuesday, both Portis and Redskins offensive tackle Chris Samuels apologized for their comments, and the Redskins also apologized as an organization.
Goodell, in a written statement, criticized Portis' statements.
"I'm extremely disappointed and embarrassed for Clinton Portis," he said, according to the Post. "This does not reflect the sentiments of the Redskins, the NFL or NFL players."
During the interview on WAVY-TV in Norfolk, Va., Portis and Samuels giggled and laughed frequently as they defended Vick, who has been under investigation since a police raid at one of his houses discovered dozens of dogs and items associated with dog fighting. No charges have been filed.
"I don't know if he was fighting dogs or not," Portis said in the interview. "But it's his property; it's his dogs. If that's what he wants to do, do it."
Portis, a native of Laurel, Miss., added: "I know a lot of back roads that got a dog fight if you want to go see it. But they're not bothering those people because those people are not big names. I'm sure there's some police got some dogs that are fighting them, some judges got dogs and everything else."
In the segment, Portis said that Vick would be put "behind bars for no reason" if the Atlanta Falcons quarterback were charged and convicted for dog fighting. Samuels laughed during much of the interview.
"The Washington Redskins, as an organization, obviously would never condone anything related to animal cruelty," the team's statement said Tuesday. "The team takes the recent comments of Clinton Portis very seriously and apologizes to everyone that was offended."
It was the second statement in two days from the Redskins over the dog fighting flap. Late Monday, the team released a statement on behalf of Portis in which the running back said: "I want to make it clear I do not take part in dog fighting or condone dog fighting in any manner."
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He proved he has no character when he pulled his Ron Mexico stunt.
But on the field, I give him a pass (so to speak). Next to McNabb (before T.O.) and Leftwich, Vick may have had the worst set of WRs in the entire NFL for pretty much his entire career. They still haven't adequately addressed the WR position. Horn was a dud last year. He might be done as a WR1.
And even with his horrible WR group, he has had some pretty solid years. He has also a three-time Pro Bowler and has a very good record as a starter (or least he did before last season). He's arguably the most dangerous player in the NFL.
Those are some good points. I just can't get past the 53% career completion rate.
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..."I don't know if he was fighting dogs or not," Portis said in the interview. "But it's his property; it's his dogs. If that's what he wants to do, do it."...
What a horse's ass. It's a jailable crime.
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Those are some good points. I just can't get past the 53% career completion rate.
That's a problem. I'd attribute that partly to his WRs. McNabb's completion percentage rose dramatically when they signed T.O.
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What a horse's ass. It's a jailable crime.
A felony no less. Godell apologized profusely for this clown today.
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http://www.bangcartoon.com/2007/dogpile.htm
Hahahhaa, you're a Bang Cartoon aficionado too? I love those things.
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they will be talking about the case on outside the lines this morning.
sunday morning, espn, 9:30.
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If this is true I hope Godell drops a sledgehammer on this clown.
He arrived at the hotel room, where our cameras were set up, in a T-shirt and jeans. "I'm nervous," he said, surveying our lights and camera equipment. "I've never done anything like this before."
Our confidential source says he's been involved in dog fighting for over 30 years. He's trained and fought -- by his estimation -- around 2,000 pit bulls and was poised to tell "Outside the Lines" about the time in 2000 when his dog squared off against a dog owned by someone he referred to as one of the "heavyweights" of the dog fighting world: Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick.
"He's a pit bull fighter," the source says of Vick. "He's one of the ones that they call 'the big boys:' that's who bets a large dollar. And they have the money to bet large money. As I'm talking about large money -- $30,000 to $40,000 -- even higher. He's one of the heavyweights."
On April 25, authorities raided a house in Surry County, Va., owned by Vick and reportedly found -- among other things -- 66 dogs (most of which were pit bulls), a dog-fighting pit, blood stained carpets and equipment commonly associated with dog fighting. Vick was not at the scene and denied knowledge of dog fighting at the property. To this point, no charges have been filed against him. But questions about Vick and his possible connection to dog fighting linger.
This source -- who required anonymity as a condition of our interview -- has helped law enforcement by supplying information on dog fights that has led to dozens of felony arrests.
"I've fought dogs, I pitted them, I bred them and I've done everything with them," says the source of his three decades in dog fighting. He then went on to describe the scene from that night seven years ago, as he took his 42-pound dog into the pit (the area where dogs fight) to face off against Vick's dog. He says Vick did not get into the pit, but had a member of his entourage handle his dog, while Vick placed bets with the 20 or so people in attendance.
Outside The Lines
Michael Vick's role in dogfighting's hidden society and a look at why some athletes participate in the brutal and illegal activity are examined Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. ET on OTL.
"Then he started, you know, waving money," the source says. "He was betting with everybody ... He said he got $5,000. He said he's betting on his animal."
While the source says he doesn't know how much Vick bet that night, he does recall the matches' outcome: Vicks' dog lost. He says Vick is known in the dog fighting community as "the man that comes with all the money" and his reputation is "[that] he brings a good dog and he's going to bet and he's going bring a nice sum of cash."
ESPN contacted Vick's agent, Joel Segal, who did not respond to the source's allegations.
In the U.S., dog fighting is considered a felony in every state except Wyoming and Idaho. Despite that fact, according to the Humane Society, it's estimated that somewhere between 20,000 to 40,000 people in this country take part in this multi-billion dollar industry.
"I believe that dog fighting is on the upswing," says John Goodwin, the deputy manager of the Animal Cruelty Campaign for the Humane Society. "And I believe that certain elements of the pop culture have glamorized dog fighting and glamorized big, tough pit bulls."
American pit bull terriers account for 99 percent of the species involved in dog fighting, and a pit bull puppy can cost as much as $5000. An average dog fight carries a $10,000 purse.
So why would a professional athlete risk his reputation -- and a lifetime of financial security -- to do this? "For the thrill of it," says a member of the Professional Football Hall of Fame, who asked not to be identified. "It's like gambling, no different than when Michael Jordan drops $100,000 on a hole of golf."
There's no official data on just how many professional athletes may be associated with dog fighting today. Before the current investigation against Vick, in the last couple of years, only two professional athletes stand out as having been publicly linked to allegations of dog fighting: former NBA forward Qyntel Woods (who faced possible charges of dog fighting before pleading guilty to animal abuse in 2005) and former NFL running back LeShon Johnson, who pled guilty to three charges related to dog fighting, also, in 2005. Johnson is currently serving a five year deferred sentence. But those players only scratch the surface of what Goodwin calls a 'subculture' of dog fighting among professional athletes.
Everybody in the dog world is worried about Michael Vick talking. Michael Vick is making large money, he's making millions, OK? And if he has to tell on some people [to avoid prison time], I think he would tell … I don't put nothing past him.
Confidential source
"You know, it's very interesting that we have got a whole roster of names of professional athletes that we know are involved in dog fighting," Goodwin says. "Surely, not every single one has come to light; I bet not even 10 percent have come to light."
If that's true, one reason may have to do with the "Code of Silence" among dog fighters. The source says many matches take place on rural farms, with 'lookouts' stationed in the woods and down surrounding roads, up to eight miles away. He adds that sometimes, local sheriffs are paid off to look the other way -- that is, when they're not participating in the dog fights themselves. But with up to two hundred people in attendance at any given match, how is it possible that a high-profile athlete can attend dog fights and never have word get out to the general public?
"Dog fighting is a very private thing," answers the source, who says that Vick was still involved in dog fighting as recently as last year. "It's all Pit Bull Men. It's close knit: you got your little boys, then you got your heavyweight boys. It's a completely different class ... And now [that] it's all over the media, and you have to keep it more private."
The source says he consented to our interview to change people's perceptions about dog fighting, because they have "the wrong idea" about it and should see "just one" match for themselves before judging it. "They'll let this other thing go -- what is it called? UFC [Ultimate Fighting Championship]?" he asked. "That is every bit as bad -- you know, that's terrible. But then you have thousands of people that cheer, rah, rah, and they really love that. You see guys get their heads busted, you know, and they get their arms messed up, their legs twisted almost off. But then they fuss over this here, is wrong."
When asked what he thinks people's reactions will be when they learn of his account of Vick's involvement in dog fighting, the source was nonplussed.
"They shouldn't be really upset, OK?" he said. "Because it's only just an animal. It's just a dog that is raised up. He's put out there, you know, and he's chained up, OK. And the time he gets a certain age, this dog is going to want to fight. It is bred in him, OK? He knows what he is and he's going to fight. Just take him off the leash, let him go."
"Dog fighting is illegal for a reason," says Goodwin. "It's a severe form of cruelty."
"The gameness that the dog fighters strive for -- and 'gameness' is the willingness to continue fighting, even in the face of extreme pain, even in the face of death -- is something that's bred into the dogs," Goodwin says. "There are pit bulls that have been bred away from the fighting lines that are perfectly socialized but the game bred dogs -- bred for fighting -- just have it bred in them, to want to kill any dog in front of them."
On Friday, Surry County Commonwealth Attorney Gerald Poindexter told The Associated Press that the investigation against Vick is "moving forward." When contacted by ESPN and asked for a response to the source's contention of Vick's involvment in dog fighting, Falcons spokesman Reggie Roberts responded via e-mail, "Michael was drafted by the Falcons in 2001. The allegations regarding him are still under investigation, and until we have facts related to the investigation, we are unable to respond further."
The NFL released this statement: "Dog fighting is cruel, degrading, and illegal. We support a thorough investigation into any allegations of this type of activity. Any NFL employee proved to be involved in this type of activity will be subject to prompt and significant discipline under our personal conduct policy."
While the NFL continues to monitor the Vick investigation, there's another group closely monitoring it as well … but for a different reason.
"Everybody in the dog world is worried about Michael Vick talking," the source added, shortly before leaving our interview room and heading back to work. "Michael Vick is making large money, he's making millions, OK? And if he has to tell on some people [to avoid prison time], I think he would tell … I don't put nothing past him."
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Hahahhaa, you're a Bang Cartoon aficionado too? I love those things.
Funny as hell. The pacman one if hilarious.
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jesus it hurts to be a falcons fan ::)
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jesus it hurts to be a falcons fan ::)
bet they wish matt shwab was still around.
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oh now worries we have harrington ::)
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Black people are so AWESOME!
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Shows that you can give some hoodlum a few million, but it wont improve the content of his character one bit.
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Shows that you can give some hoodlum a few million, but it wont improve the content of his character one bit.
Absolutely true. I think one of the major problems with these athletes is many of them have poor or no life training, they are pampered in high school, they skate through whatever college they attend, and then they become overnight millionaires. It's a recipe for disaster.
I'm not sure what went on in the Vick household when they were being raised, but both of those boys are bad news.
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:-\
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Vick = epitome of ######
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V-Tech's favorite son makes his brother look like a saint.
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What a pos.. WHO THE FUCK GETS OFF ON WATCHING DOGS FIGHT?
They kept on trying to dub this guy as the new face of the NFL.. Well, not anymore..
He's nothing more than a fucking tailback that throws interceptions and a piece of shit.
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Looks like he might get indicted. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2888085
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its good to see federal authorities getting more involved in this.
http://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/1610932/detail.html
Report: Dog remains found at Vick house
NBCSports.com staff report
Nearly three dozen dog carcasses were found Thursday during a search of the grounds of the Virginia property belonging to Michael Vick, ESPN Radio is reporting.
WVEC says two parallel investigations are underway into whether dogfighting occurred on the Surry (Va) property, Commonwealth's Attorney Gerald Poindexter told the station on Friday.
Surry County is still considering charges in the case and Poindexter says it appears the U.S. Attorney's Office has an investigation of its own, after federal authorities conducted a search.........
Meanwhile, the Falcons quarterback cancelled a planned football camp, which was scheduled for June 30-July 3.
The cancellation was announced on the camp's Web site and cited "scheduling issues" as the reason, according to several reports.
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He's toast. I think Goodell is going to suspend him.
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mike vick was my favorite player hes a no class punk now
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Good news for fantasy football owners . . . .
Sources: Vick unlikely to be indicted in feds dogfighting investigation
ESPN.com news services
Updated: July 6, 2007, 5:55 PM ET
SURRY, Va. -- Federal authorities have filed court documents outlining an alleged dogfighting operation at a property owned by Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, The Associated Press reported Friday.
Vick is not named in the documents.
Additionally, Vick is unlikely to be indicted in the dogfighting federal investigation, according to information gathered by the NFL and Atlanta Falcons, sources tell ESPN's Chris Mortensen. The authorities have told the Falcons and league that there has not been any evidence that can be tied to Vick with the alleged dogfighting ring, the sources said.
The law enforcement authorities have privately told league and team officials that at least three people are expected to be indicted but the identities of those individuals were unknown.
. . .
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2927560
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His brother isn't exactly a model citizen either..
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Good news for fantasy football owners . . . .
Sources: Vick unlikely to be indicted in feds dogfighting investigation
ESPN.com news services
Updated: July 6, 2007, 5:55 PM ET
SURRY, Va. -- Federal authorities have filed court documents outlining an alleged dogfighting operation at a property owned by Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, The Associated Press reported Friday.
Vick is not named in the documents.
Additionally, Vick is unlikely to be indicted in the dogfighting federal investigation, according to information gathered by the NFL and Atlanta Falcons, sources tell ESPN's Chris Mortensen. The authorities have told the Falcons and league that there has not been any evidence that can be tied to Vick with the alleged dogfighting ring, the sources said.
The law enforcement authorities have privately told league and team officials that at least three people are expected to be indicted but the identities of those individuals were unknown.
. . .
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2927560
Its sad news if his fame and money got him out of this.
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Its sad news if his fame and money got him out of this.
I doubt it. I don't think the feds would roll over for this guy. He probably just did a decent job of covering his tracks (assuming he was actually involved in dog fighting).
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Shows that you can give some hoodlum a few million, but it wont improve the content of his character one bit.
Or the non-PC version: "you can take the black out of the hood, but you can't take the hood out of the black!" ;D
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Here's to the Army and Navy and the battles they have won; here's to America's colors, the colors that never run.
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Yeah he sucks..great athlete but horrible QB.
I take a pocket passer like Manning any day over a guy like Vick
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Just got indicted... You cross state lines and the feds will get you. What a fool.
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I'm just glad they did this before the season started so I can adjust my FF QB rankings. :)
Falcons' Vick indicted by grand jury in dogfighting probe
ESPN.com news services
Updated: July 17, 2007, 5:57 PM ET
Michael Vick has been indicted by a federal grand jury in connection with the dogfighting probe of his property in Virginia.
The indictment alleges that Vick and his co-defendants began sponsoring dogfighting in early 2001, the former Virginia Tech star's rookie year with the Falcons.
The Falcons quarterback was indicted for conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District in Richmond, Va. Three others -- Purnell Peace, Quanis Phillips and Tony Taylor -- also were indicted by the grand jury on the same charges.
The indictment states: "If convicted on the Travel Act portion of the conspiracy charge, each defendant faces a statutory maximum of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and full restitution. If convicted on the animal fighting venture portion of the conspiracy charge, each defendant faces one year in prison, a $100,000 fine, or both. The indictment also includes a forfeiture allegation seeking recovery of any property constituting, or derived from, proceeds obtained directly or indirectly as a result of these offenses. "
According to court documents filed by federal authorities earlier this month, dog fights have been sponsored by "Bad Newz Kennels" at the property since at least 2002. For the events, participants and dogs traveled from South Carolina, North Carolina, Maryland, New York, Texas and other states.
Members of the venture also knowingly transported, delivered and received dogs for animal fighting, the documents state.
Fifty-four pit bulls were recovered from the property during searches in April, along with a "rape stand," used to hold dogs in place for mating; an electric treadmill modified for dogs; and a bloodied piece of carpeting, the documents said.
The property was used as the "main staging area for housing and training the pit bulls involved in the dog fighting venture," according to the filings.
The documents said the fights usually occurred late at night or in the early morning and would last several hours. The winning dog would win from "hundreds up to thousands of dollars," and participants and spectators also would place bets on the fight.
Before fights, the participating dogs of the same sex would be weighed and bathed, according to the filings. Opposing dogs would be washed to remove any poison or narcotic placed on the dog's coat that could affect the other dog's performance. Sometimes participants would not feed a dog before the fight to "make it more hungry for the other dog," the documents said.
Fights would end when one dog died or with the surrender of the losing dog, which was sometimes put to death by drowning, strangulation, hanging, gun shot, electrocution or some other method, according to the documents. The property has an above-ground swimming pool, and investigators were seen looking into the pool Friday.
During a June search of the property, investigators uncovered the graves of seven pit bulls that were killed by members of "Bad Newz Kennels" following sessions to test whether dogs would be good fighters, the documents said.
Members of "Bad Newz Kennels" also sponsored and exhibited fights in other parts of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, New Jersey and other states, the filings said.
On June 7, federal law enforcement officials descended on the property with a search warrant. More than a dozen vehicles went to the home early that day and investigators searched inside before turning their attention to the area where officials found dozens of dogs in late April and evidence that suggested the home was involved in a dogfighting operation.
Surry County officials had secured a search warrant in late May based on an informant's information to look for as many as 30 dog carcasses buried on the property. The warrant never was executed because Commonwealth's Attorney Gerald G. Poindexter said he had issues with the way it was worded.
The results of that search have remained sealed.
At the time, Poindexter expressed surprise at why the federal government was involved.
"What is foreign to me is the federal government getting into a dogfighting case," Poindexter said. "I know it's been done, but what's driving this? Is it this boy's celebrity? Would they have done this if it wasn't Michael Vick?"
A day later, "They launched a separate, independent federal investigation," Poindexter said of the government, which has had a representative involved in the local probe all along.
A search warrant affidavit said some of the dogs were in individual kennels and about 30 were tethered with "heavy logging-type chains" buried in the ground. The chains allowed the dogs to get close to each other, but not to have contact, one of myriad findings on the property that suggested a dogfighting operation.
Vick initially said he had no idea the property might have been used in a criminal enterprise and blamed family members for taking advantage of his generosity. He also put the house up for sale and reportedly sold it quickly, although there is no record that the sale has closed. Vick has since declined to talk about the investigation.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2940065
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now the nfl and the falcons need to step up and do the right thing.
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I'm just glad they did this before the season started so I can adjust my FF QB rankings. :)
Falcons' Vick indicted by grand jury in dogfighting probe
ESPN.com news services
Updated: July 17, 2007, 5:57 PM ET
Michael Vick has been indicted by a federal grand jury in connection with the dogfighting probe of his property in Virginia.
The indictment alleges that Vick and his co-defendants began sponsoring dogfighting in early 2001, the former Virginia Tech star's rookie year with the Falcons.
The Falcons quarterback was indicted for conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District in Richmond, Va. Three others -- Purnell Peace, Quanis Phillips and Tony Taylor -- also were indicted by the grand jury on the same charges.
The indictment states: "If convicted on the Travel Act portion of the conspiracy charge, each defendant faces a statutory maximum of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and full restitution. If convicted on the animal fighting venture portion of the conspiracy charge, each defendant faces one year in prison, a $100,000 fine, or both. The indictment also includes a forfeiture allegation seeking recovery of any property constituting, or derived from, proceeds obtained directly or indirectly as a result of these offenses. "
According to court documents filed by federal authorities earlier this month, dog fights have been sponsored by "Bad Newz Kennels" at the property since at least 2002. For the events, participants and dogs traveled from South Carolina, North Carolina, Maryland, New York, Texas and other states.
Members of the venture also knowingly transported, delivered and received dogs for animal fighting, the documents state.
Fifty-four pit bulls were recovered from the property during searches in April, along with a "rape stand," used to hold dogs in place for mating; an electric treadmill modified for dogs; and a bloodied piece of carpeting, the documents said.
The property was used as the "main staging area for housing and training the pit bulls involved in the dog fighting venture," according to the filings.
The documents said the fights usually occurred late at night or in the early morning and would last several hours. The winning dog would win from "hundreds up to thousands of dollars," and participants and spectators also would place bets on the fight.
Before fights, the participating dogs of the same sex would be weighed and bathed, according to the filings. Opposing dogs would be washed to remove any poison or narcotic placed on the dog's coat that could affect the other dog's performance. Sometimes participants would not feed a dog before the fight to "make it more hungry for the other dog," the documents said.
Fights would end when one dog died or with the surrender of the losing dog, which was sometimes put to death by drowning, strangulation, hanging, gun shot, electrocution or some other method, according to the documents. The property has an above-ground swimming pool, and investigators were seen looking into the pool Friday.
During a June search of the property, investigators uncovered the graves of seven pit bulls that were killed by members of "Bad Newz Kennels" following sessions to test whether dogs would be good fighters, the documents said.
Members of "Bad Newz Kennels" also sponsored and exhibited fights in other parts of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, New Jersey and other states, the filings said.
On June 7, federal law enforcement officials descended on the property with a search warrant. More than a dozen vehicles went to the home early that day and investigators searched inside before turning their attention to the area where officials found dozens of dogs in late April and evidence that suggested the home was involved in a dogfighting operation.
Surry County officials had secured a search warrant in late May based on an informant's information to look for as many as 30 dog carcasses buried on the property. The warrant never was executed because Commonwealth's Attorney Gerald G. Poindexter said he had issues with the way it was worded.
The results of that search have remained sealed.
At the time, Poindexter expressed surprise at why the federal government was involved.
"What is foreign to me is the federal government getting into a dogfighting case," Poindexter said. "I know it's been done, but what's driving this? Is it this boy's celebrity? Would they have done this if it wasn't Michael Vick?"
A day later, "They launched a separate, independent federal investigation," Poindexter said of the government, which has had a representative involved in the local probe all along.
A search warrant affidavit said some of the dogs were in individual kennels and about 30 were tethered with "heavy logging-type chains" buried in the ground. The chains allowed the dogs to get close to each other, but not to have contact, one of myriad findings on the property that suggested a dogfighting operation.
Vick initially said he had no idea the property might have been used in a criminal enterprise and blamed family members for taking advantage of his generosity. He also put the house up for sale and reportedly sold it quickly, although there is no record that the sale has closed. Vick has since declined to talk about the investigation.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2940065
What a bunch of sick losers he and his "posse" must be.
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Now some of you guys can see the types of horrors pitbulls go through. By far the most exploited/abused breed on the planet. You read the part about how they tested how "game" the pits were? If they did not have enough "game" they electrocuted, drowned , shot or strangled them. That type of stuff happens all the time. Instead of letting the dogs live, they torture them if they are not "game" enough to fight. Fucking sick bastards.
The Feds have a greater than 95% success rate of convictions after indictments. Doesn't look good for thug boy!
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He could have murdered his wife or been drunk and high, doing lines of coke as he ran down a group of Boy Scouts and still been ok with the NFL. Nobody would protest or do anything other then argue the punishment handed down, on sports talk radio. Now the league will face boycotts by animals lovers, possible suits by PETA or the Humane society etc. As an owner of three dogs, this prick need to be banned for life.
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In the report it said the dogs were hung,drowned,or shot when they were done with them.
I hope those scumbags get what they deserve >:(
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In the report it said the dogs were hung,drowned,or shot when they were done with them.
I hope those scumbags get what they deserve >:(
You think that's bad...the cops now have a back hoe on the grounds, looking for a cache of dead dog bodies.
It's been confirmed that Vick himself killed upto 8 dogs. He threw some down on the ground, and some he would soak wet and electrocute them
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You think that's bad...the cops now have a back hoe on the grounds, looking for a cache of dead dog bodies.
It's been confirmed that Vick himself killed upto 8 dogs. He threw some down on the ground, and some he would soak wet and electrocute them
So someone saw him do it? Or said they saw him do it?
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someone needs to soak his ass in lighter fluid and light a match...f**king scumbag. he should get cancer of the asshole.
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A couple of stomach churning quotes from the AP story. And don't you just love the name "Bad Newz Kennels", what a bunch of scumbag thugs. I'm sure all these clowns have between 4-8 kids with different mothers and I'm sure they don't support any of them. These scumbags produce future criminals faster than bacteria reproduce in a petri dish.
http://sports.iwon.com/news/07182007/v3247.html (http://sports.iwon.com/news/07182007/v3247.html)
"About eight young dogs were put to death at the Surry County home after they were found not ready to fight in April 2007, the indictment said. They were killed "by hanging, drowning and/or slamming at least one dog's body to the ground."
"Some of the grisly details in these filings shocked even me, and I'm a person who faces this stuff every day," Goodwin said. "I was surprised to see that they were killing dogs by hanging them, and one dog was killed by slamming it to the ground. Those are extremely violent methods of execution - they're unnecessary and just sick."
"When a Bad Newz Kennels dog was wounded in a losing fight, NFL star Michael Vick was consulted before the animal was doused with water and electrocuted."
" Sometimes, dogs weren't fed to "make it more hungry for the other dog."
"Started in early 2002, according to the indictment, Bad Newz Kennels began purchasing pit bulls to train as fighters. Eventually, the defendants bought shirts and headbands "representing and promoting their affiliation."
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What a bunch of sick losers he and his "posse" must be.
True. Vick proved he is a loser with his Ron Mexico stunt.
Here is a good summary from ESPN:
Legal odds against Vick just got much longer
By Lester Munson
ESPN.com
Updated: July 17, 2007
A grand jury indicted Atlanta Falcons' quarterback Michael Vick on Tuesday, which at least partially answers one question that has lingered since the news first broke about an alleged dogfighting operation on property owned by Vick in Virginia: Was Vick involved? Obviously, we know now that investigators believe he was.
There are plenty of football-related issues still to be resolved about Vick's future with the Falcons and the NFL, but those might be the least of his concerns right now. Questions about his legal future abound at the moment. Here are some answers.
What do these federal charges mean for Michael Vick?
Vick is in real trouble. He is up against the might and majesty of the U.S. government with all of its agents, all of its investigative techniques, and all of its skilled prosecutors. If he has any doubts about the power and skill of the forces arrayed against him, he can call Scooter Libby, former chief of staff to Vice President Cheney, or he can call Lord Conrad Black, the disgraced media mogul now facing time in a federal penitentiary. If he still isn't convinced, he can call Jeff Skilling, the zillionaire Enron CEO who is now residing in a federal pen. All three of them hired brilliant (and expensive) lawyers. All three thought they could explain their way out from under federal charges. And all three were convicted. Vick can, and probably will, hire some of America's best defense lawyers, but they will face a serious battle.
Would Vick be sent to jail if he is convicted?
Yes. It's hard to imagine any other outcome. The charges are serious, and the evidence against Vick presented at trial will be nasty. The government's case includes evidence that Vick and his cohorts "tested" pit bulls for ferocity. If the dogs failed the test, the indictment charges, they were executed by hanging or drowning. In one case, with Vick present, the indictment says a dog was slammed to the ground until it was dead. In another incident, a dog was soaked with a hose and then electrocuted. Those aren't the sort of transgressions that lead to probation and community service. It's the kind of behavior that results in punishment, and the punishment will be jail time.
What is the next step for Vick?
Vick will now watch to see which of his three co-defendants will be the first to make a deal with federal prosecutors. Each of them will think seriously about turning on Vick and offering testimony against him in return for less time in jail. Vick obviously is the prime target of the government effort. Prosecutors and agents will be willing to talk with his co-defendants about a deal if they are willing to help prove the case against Vick. The government indictment discloses four witnesses who have already agreed to testify against him. If all three of his co-defendants join these four witnesses against Vick, he and his lawyers might suggest that he, too, should talk to the government about a deal that would minimize his time in jail.
Vick is charged with "conspiracy" and violations of the "Travel Act." What does that mean?
The conspiracy charge will make things extra difficult for Vick and his lawyers. Under federal laws, the conspiracy charge allows federal prosecutors to link Vick to things that occurred even if he was not present. If the prosecutors can connect the four defendants, then crimes committed by one of them can be used to add to the evidence against the others. It's a tricky legal procedure that prosecutors love and defense lawyers detest. The Travel Act is a device invented by Robert F. Kennedy when he was Attorney General in the early '60s. It was designed for use against organized crime and made it easier to prove cases against hoodlums. In the sports world, it was used most recently in the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics bribery scandal. Federal prosecutors charged the Utah organizers under the Travel Act and proved millions of dollars in bribes. Vick, however, can take some hope from the fact that U.S. District Judge David Sam found the organizers not guilty of violating the Travel Act, even though there was powerful evidence of bribery.
What was Vick's role in the dogfighting conspiracy described in the indictment?
According to the indictment, Vick was in the middle of everything from beginning to end. He purchased a vacant piece of property for $34,000, the indictment says. He then had sheds built for training dogs and staging fights and a fence erected to shield the operation from view. And finally, the indictment says, he had a two-story frame house with a basketball court put up as a residence for the people taking care of the dogs. If you believe the indictment, the Vick property had everything anyone could want in a dogfighting operation.
When would Vick's trial begin?
The federal courthouse in Richmond, Va., is the home of the nationally recognized "rocket docket." Cases move quickly in Richmond, more quickly than in any other courthouse in the federal system. Vick's lawyers will be looking for delays and for time to prepare a defense, but the trial likely would begin in a matter of four to six months.
Are the federal authorities in Richmond tough on crime?
Ask Ralph Sampson, the former NBA star. He fell behind in child support payments to seven children that he had with four women, the kind of thing that is ordinarily worked out in a settlement. But instead of a settlement, Sampson found himself charged with felonies in federal court. And then, very quickly, he found himself in jail for two months on a child support charge. Yes, they're tough on crime in Richmond, and they might be particularly tough on crimes involving the torture and killing of dogs.
ESPN.com's Lester Munson is a Chicago lawyer and journalist who has been reporting on investigative and legal issues in the sports industry for 18 years.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2940312
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So someone saw him do it? Or said they saw him do it?
Numerous people have given federal statements stating they witnessed it, in 5 mins CNN will have a undercover interview with one of the witnesses.
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Vick's nothing but a punk who has gotten mainly accolades and passes on his performance over the years without delivering.
The Falcons were screwed either way: if he's out their reliance on him ruins their season, vs. letting him play this year only to confirm under yet another coach that they go nowhere with him in control.
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He won't, Blank will be told by the NFL to sit him. This is a huge black eye to the league. Larger then anthing they have faced in a long time. U won't get protesters for DUI's and drugs but PETA and the other groups will be up in arms about this. The NFL does not need this kind of press coverage. Its been way to successful to let some scrambling hack with dubious skills as a QB, ruin their reputation.
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Recent article, followed by some gems from readers:
What’s Next for N.F.L. and Michael Vick?
NY Times
This morning’s story on an indictment that ties Michael Vick to a slew of ugly dogfighting charges left off with the question of “how the league, the Falcons and Vick would deal with his legal troubles in the weeks ahead.”
We asked Judy Battista, N.F.L. reporter for The Times, to pick up from there. She kindly obliged us, explaining why she thinks the N.F.L. may “tread carefully”:
I think the NFL can do whatever it wants, theoretically. In previous cases, they have not waited for players to be convicted to discipline them under the new personal conduct policy.
Pacman Jones was suspended because he was repeatedly in run-ins with the law and because he “embarrassed” the league. So, theoretically, the NFL could discipline Vick whenever it wants.
However, I think they’ll tread carefully. This is Vick’s first offense, even though the indictment indicates he’s been breaking the law for years. But he has never been arrested in the past, has had no prior trouble, like Jones did, so the NFL might be reluctant to slap him with a suspension before letting it play out a bit in the courts.
And Vick is by far the highest profile player to be in this serious a mess. Most fans wouldn’t know Pacman Jones if he walked into their living rooms. But Vick is one of a handful of NFL players who are recognizable. He is one of the highest paid players in the game and he is the face of the Falcons. That puts the team and the league in a tough spot.
On the other hand, Roger Goodell has made improving the behavior of players a cornerstone of his tenure as commissioner. He has not hesitated to deal quickly and harshly with players who misbehave. Vick’s alleged crimes are particularly horrible, and the kind of thing that generates enormous outrage from the public.
How the commissioner balances that against a desire to give Vick every opportunity to clear his name will be interesting to follow.
15 comments so far...
1.July 18th,
2007
5:29 pm From what I’ve read about this case, there is very very little doubt that Vick is guilty. The horrors of the vicious executions of the dogs, not to mention the fighting, make me wonder if this brainless jock has any morals at all. I think he shouldn’t just be banned from the sport, but punished extremely, possibly by a 2-year tour in Baghdad.
— Posted by Dan Stackhouse
2.July 18th,
2007
5:37 pm If Vick is guilty, I would love to see him electrocuted. I’ll volunteer to happily pull the switch!
— Posted by Cheri Lazar
3.July 18th,
2007
5:42 pm If he’s guilty as charged, he should be chopped up and fed to the dogs!
— Posted by gershon
4.July 18th,
2007
5:47 pm The NFL is crazy if they have even the slightest inclination to go easy on a guy who will plausibly be labeled as a “puppy killer”. Please also remember that PETA’s headquarters are right down the road from where this inhumane atrocity took place. This is going to be a public relations nightmare.
— Posted by Roger
5.July 18th,
2007
5:48 pm Unless Vick starts going into the homes of American football fans and killing their dogs, I don’t see fans caring a whole hell of a lot about this. From the reports I’ve read, the whole affair sounds sordid and disgusting, but considering what some professional athletes have been accused of (and in some cases convicted of) doing to humans, I think this story is going to be one of those things that peters out quickly.
— Posted by J
6.July 18th,
2007
5:49 pm What does dog-fighting have to do with football? Or should I say ‘Football’? People were dog-fighting long before football.
— Posted by colin campbell
7.July 18th,
2007
5:52 pm If he is guilty he should be banned from the NFL and prosecuted for cruelty to animals. There is no excuse.
— Posted by Paul Gabbert
8.July 18th,
2007
5:53 pm Vick is already implicated but he remains innocent. If Goodell takes action against Vick it only raises the bar for the NFL as this allegation unfolds. It becomes a soft acknowledgment that Vick is guilty. That is a poor decision for both the NFL and Goodell. I assume Goodell will not take corrective action until further evidence is presented that will bring an indictment against Vick.
I wouldn’t be surprised if a ‘fall guy’ pops up that takes the heat off Vick and this fades away.
— Posted by Marcus Torchia
9.July 18th,
2007
5:55 pm I think that the same policy that are placed on young male canines should be applied on Mr. Vick although my guess is that he has sired a lot of little Vick puppies in his few years. What a culture!
— Posted by Charles Cohen
10.July 18th,
2007
5:56 pm # 2 Cheri Lazar suggests that Vick’s life is less valuable than the life of dogs. Says a lot about her
— Posted by Kwadwo
11.July 18th,
2007
5:59 pm Michael Vick and his brother, Marcus, are both common thugs who have a misplaced sense of entitlement because of their athletic prowress. Michael was quick to defend his brother after Marcus was dismissed from the Virginia Tech football squad for a litany of thug-like behaviors and run-ins with the law. This may be the first time the elder Vick has faced charges, but remember, the allegations are that he has been engaging in horrendous and on-going criminal activity for about five years; this is not like a first-time offense committed by an upstanding citizen. Michael Vick is a scumbag who belongs in prison and deserves a life-time ban from professional football.
— Posted by James
12.July 18th,
2007
6:00 pm Vick’s even peripheral involvement with dog fighting on his property is at the least shameful and negligent, and at the most vicious, cruel, and iniquitous. Either way, it is evidence of a lack of integrity and decency. This “sport” gives humanity a bad name.
— Posted by v Paiz
13.July 18th,
2007
6:01 pm I am completely overwhelmed by this story and feel great disgust in this man. I never liked him before and I certainly don’t like him now. He is a poor excuse for an athlete and role model. Kids look up to these “superstars” and this is a terrible thing for them to see. I hope he is charged with the multiple crimes and is sentenced to the highest level of punishment possible. He does not deserve to be making millions and walking around the streets as if he did nothing wrong! Who does he think he is??? No animal deserves to be treated this way!!!
— Posted by Alana Medlin
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great article from gregg doyel on cbs sportsline:
http://www.cbs.sportsline.com/columns/story/10260902
Michael Vick can't play this season. You know that, right? He cannot play. Not for the Atlanta Falcons. Not for anybody, not anywhere, not at any time. Not until he is clear of the charges leveled against him by the federal government.
And if he's not cleared of those charges? If he's found guilty of sponsoring a macabre dogfighting ring? Then the NFL has seen the last of Michael Vick.
Distractions will follow Michael Vick and the Falcons every step of the way if he plays. (Getty Images)
Don't give me "due process." Look around you. Do you see a court of law? Do you see a judge, a jury, a lawyer, a bailiff? The NFL is not the U.S. judicial system, and for the sake of this argument, Michael Vick is not a defendant. He's a football player who has been accused of something so serious, something so heinous, that the NFL cannot in good faith allow him to represent the most popular sports league in this country.
Don't give me "innocent until proven guilty." Michael Vick has no inalienable right to play football this season or any season for the Atlanta Falcons. Our colonial militia didn't throw tea in the Boston Harbor so Michael Vick, some 230 years later, could play football for the Falcons. U.S. soldiers have not died in wars all over the world, and are not dying right now in the Middle East, so Michael Vick can throw a football.
Don't give me "the presumption of innocence." The NFL isn't deciding whether Vick will spend the rest of his life behind bars. The NFL only has to decide whether Vick should, or should not, be allowed to play while the most sordid sports story in years plays out.
Michael Vick simply cannot play this season. Surely you understand that. His first court date is July 26, the same day the Falcons are scheduled to begin training camp. That's a nice touch, but think further ahead to when the Falcons are getting ready for their season opener Sept. 9 at Minnesota. At the same time he will be trying to prepare his offense for the Vikings, Vick will be helping prepare his defense for a nasty court case that will decide his freedom.
He won't be ready to play for the Falcons. Not at quarterback, where the mental side is so critical. It wouldn't be fair to Vick to ask him to play with this court case hanging over his head, and if it sounds like I'm being sympathetic to Vick's plight, I'm not. He has been accused of crimes that offend me greatly, and if he's found guilty, I hope he spends so much time in jail that he dies there. Dog fighting? Dog killing? Only the scum of the earth partake in such an atrocity.
Think ahead to Sept. 16, when the Falcons visit Jacksonville. There are also trips to Tennessee, New Orleans, Carolina, St. Louis, Tampa Bay and Phoenix. In every city, Michael Vick will bring the circus. Animal cruelty foes will picket stadiums. Fans will be ugly, maybe cruel, possibly even criminal. Things will be thrown at Vick. Things will be yelled.
For those eight Sundays on the road, Michael Vick will be hated like no visiting player has ever been hated.
Baseball villain Barry Bonds thinks he has it tough when he goes on the road? Bonds is only accused of being a jerk and a cheat. Vick has been accused of killing dogs, which ought to earn him the malice of even the home crowd. Any idea how many NFL fans own a dog? Me neither, but it's a large number. And every last one of them should hate Vick. At this moment I do, and he hasn't even been found guilty yet.
But he has been charged, and not just anywhere. He has been charged in federal court, and for those who don't know what that means, let me tell you: It means Vick is almost certainly guilty. According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, 99 percent of the people indicted by the federal government between 2000 and 2005 were convicted.
Did you catch that number? It was 99 percent. Guilty. How can that be? This is how: The U.S. government doesn't indict just anybody, and certainly wouldn't indict Vick or anyone else for headlines. The government is far too busy and far too cheap to waste its time and money pursuing a trial against a defendant that has even a remote chance of winning. The U.S. government only indicts you if it believes it can and will convict you.
The NFL has to know that percentage. So does Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank. They have to know that Michael Vick, in all probability -- say, 99 percent -- will be convicted of masterminding a dogfighting operation. And if he is convicted, he will go to jail for a long, long time. Which means his NFL career is finished.
So why let him play now? This isn't a guy who deserves the benefit of the doubt. He has shown horrible judgment over and over, from the Ron Mexico herpes incident to the middle finger he showed the home crowd to the James Bond water bottle he used in an unsuccessful attempt at sneaking marijuana jewelry onto an airplane. None of those cases led to any sort of conviction in a court of law, but Pacman Jones is serving a one-year suspension from the NFL and as of today, he has been convicted of nothing. He hasn't even been indicted by the federal government, as Vick has.
The Falcons deserve some relief, too. They would take a huge salary cap hit for releasing Vick, but that hit should be waived. The Falcons should not be forced to keep a poisonous person because of NFL salary cap ramifications. That is not the way anyone should want the NFL to operate. It's in the best interests of everyone in the NFL for Michael Vick to never again wear a uniform, so the Falcons should be cut some slack for releasing him.
The bleeding hearts among you -- the Vick fans, the gullible, the blind -- want to know how the NFL can keep an innocent man off the field.
I've got a better question:
How could the NFL possibly let him play?
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Marcus vick is ashamed to be his brother ;D
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He won't, Blank will be told by the NFL to sit him. This is a huge black eye to the league. Larger then anthing they have faced in a long time. U won't get protesters for DUI's and drugs but PETA and the other groups will be up in arms about this. The NFL does not need this kind of press coverage. Its been way to successful to let some scrambling hack with dubious skills as a QB, ruin their reputation.
He's a fucking hoodlum tailback that throws interceptions.
I hope they chuck his ass in prison...
Some of the losing dogs were murdered in his backyard.. Had their skulls smashed and their bodies burned. Jesus, even China treats their dogs better.
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I am a dog person and give money to peta and i have met Vick and he is a thug. I am not surprised that Clinton Portis would say something like that because he is from THE "U" and Chris Samuels laughing about it. Dog fighting is happening all across the country and i cannot even imagine doing what Vick and his friends did to those dogs. I was attacked by a pit bull and needed 22 stitches in my right knee but still love them. When you have a 130 million dollar contract plus endorsements how and why in the hell would you even be associated with people who dog fight? Even as a "regular Joe" i would not even associate myself with people as low as dog fighters but the face of a franchise, gimme a break.
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N.F.L. Is Under Pressure Over Vick
July 21, 2007
As animal rights activists demonstrated yesterday in front of the N.F.L.’s headquarters to urge the league to suspend Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, the league continued to grapple with the fallout from Vick’s federal indictment on charges related to dogfighting.
The league has decided not to suspend Vick immediately, preferring to wait for the case to progress. But N.F.L. and Falcons executives have discussed other options.
The delay in discipline has displeased some. Senator John Kerry, Democrat of Massachusetts, sent a letter to Commissioner Roger Goodell yesterday, encouraging Goodell to suspend Vick immediately. And about 50 people joined a demonstration organized by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals in front of the N.F.L.’s Park Avenue headquarters, some of them chanting “Sack Vick.”
Goodell was not at his office during the protest. Instead, he was meeting with officials from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Earlier this year, the N.F.L. and A.S.P.C.A. began working together on public-service announcements and programs to help educate players and the public on treating animals properly.
“We agree with them that dogfighting is cruel, degrading and illegal,” the N.F.L. spokesman Brian McCarthy said of the demonstrators. “The alleged activities are very disturbing and we are extremely disappointed Michael Vick has put himself in this position.”
Vick is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday in Richmond, Va., and could join the Falcons on Friday.
Among the many options N.F.L. and Falcons executives have discussed since the indictment was announced Tuesday is asking Vick to take a paid leave of absence from the team. That would relieve the Falcons of the possible distraction at Coach Bobby Petrino’s first training camp.