Michael Vick? Atlanta Falcons? Anyone else disgusted????

[Doxherding Karen]

I cannot believe that the National Football league has no comment on the horrific behavior of Michael Vick - or his relaitves on HIS property - other than to say they will let the legal process take its course.  professional sports has become one of the most serious detriments to values and morals in American society.

We as a society need to stand up and say enough is really ENOUGH!  If the NFL lives and dies by the bottom line, then we should boycott NFL games until this nonsense stops.  Michael Vick is not the kind of role model or quarterback this country needs.

Karen

[Jeri]

As long as we are passing out blame,  don't forget Nike, who refuses to drop the Michael Vick product line.

Blame the TV networks who will carry his games.

Also, we should take some blame ourselves, if we are the part of society that will continue to watch him play and deliver the the ratings to the networks, and buy the NFL, Falcons, and Nike merchandise that will allow these soulless, bloodsucking corporate demons to continue to profit from their greed.

[Brekkesmom]

I read the story and saw a video - which, thank goodness, was not depraved, but I am disgusted.  How can you "not know what members of my family are doing" - when it's on your own property?   I am happy to say I don't even like football, I don't plan to buy any more Nikes, (I only have one pair, bought last summer), and I am appalled at what has gone on.  I don't even want to know the statistics on the dogs that were used for baiting and had to be destroyed - the 9 I read about were enough.

[David C.]

Two words:  Duke Lacrosse.  We saw with the Duke Lacrosse team what happens when everyone assumes the worst...and is wrong

If the allegations against Michael Vick prove true, then he should suffer the consequences.   However, in this country, you are still innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, and I do believe that.

That being said, you usually don't get a federal grand jury indictment for being a nice guy....and as my father, who was in law enforcement for 25 years says "You never arrest virgins".

I'm thoroughly disgusted by the situation, but I do agree with the NFL that the legal process must run its course before we can pass judgment.   Short of another OJ Simpson type of situation, if the allegations prove true, then Michael Vick will be punished.

[Dachsmack]

I agree, David. But one problem the NFL has is it has set a precedent by suspending Adam "Pacman" Jones for a year because of a pattern of behavior even though he hasn't been convicted of anything. So, it's fair to ask why is Vick different. Professional sports leagues receive way too much leeway in this country -- major league baseball has an antitrust exemption. As someone in the sports journalism field for more than 24 years, I don't see any of this changing in the forseeable future. But a single individual like Michael Vick is expendable. If enough folks -- and the right folks -- squawk enough, he'll get his.

[Kelly]

I agree with what everybody has said.The other day I read an article on him and I replied and said that he should get the maximum punishment he deserves. I would like to slam him up against a wall and anything else he did to the dogs.

[Jeri]

While I respect David's opinion and agree with his comment that he has not been convicted of anything yet, I actually believe our opinions are centered around two different issues.

Michael Vick absolutely deserves his day in court, and deserves an unbiased jury.  He is entitled to his legal rights, regardless of how we feel about the crime he is accused of committing.  David is absolutely right on that score.

But his image and place in society as a role model is another thing entirely.  Also, a man is known by the company he keeps.  There is little doubt that dogfighting occured on his property, and he was close to those who were engaged in it.  The question the court must answer is whether Vick was involved, and to what extent if any.  But the fact that he was close to those involved in the dogfighting ring and it occured on his property place raise serious doubts as to his suitability as a role model.  Like it or not, when one joins a professional sports team, one represents the league, the team, and the town.  Children will watch and emulate you, and one price you pay for that high salary should be living up to expectations on and off the field.  There are certain jobs where one must avoid impropriety or the appearance of impropriety, and distance onself from associates who could tarnish one's reputation.  Professional sports used to be this way, and we the fans should put pressure on the players, teams and networks to make those involved live up to their responsibilites.

My earlier post is not based on anyone's guilt or innocence.  It is about taking a stand against cruelty, and demanding that merchandise marketed to children bear the name of only those athletes who will do what is right and promote good behavior on and off the field.  Hanging around with thugs and owning a dog fighting facility (and this much is not really in question) should be enough to shut down the endorsement train.  I am sure there are other popular athletes who will gladly accept the multimillion dollar merchandise contracts AND work to better the lives of the kids who wear the clothes by leading through example.  THOSE should be the ones with their names on the labels.

[Leslie]

Ya wanna send Nike a nasty gram?
BOYCOTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Mailing address:
Nike World Headquarters
One Bowerman Drive
Beaverton, OR 97005

Phone: 1-800-344-6453
Hours: 7:00am - 3:50pm PST, Monday through Friday

[Doxherding Karen]

David has brought out a very valid point.  Let the legal process take its course.  In the meantime, we, the American people can look at role models like Michael Vick or look at role models like Cal Ripkin, Jr., the late Walter Payton or Arthur Ashe, Arnold Palmer, Tiger Woods, any one of dozens of decent men and women who lead by example.  Michael Jordon versus Michael Vick?  THAT'S a no-brainer!

if we let people like Nike know Michael Vick turns us off, they spigot will turn off for him.

Karen

[Dachsmack]

But his image and place in society as a role model is another thing entirely.  Also, a man is known by the company he keeps.  ... My earlier post is not based on anyone's guilt or innocence.  It is about taking a stand against cruelty, and demanding that merchandise marketed to children bear the name of only those athletes who will do what is right and promote good behavior on and off the field. 

Cogent remarks, Jeri. I agree wholeheartedly.  :thumb:

[David C.]

I think the whole "hero worship" of athletes is overblown...even more so now that the sporting goods companies have gotten into it and make commercials that make their sponsored athlete seem like they are supernatural.   I think there is such a disconnect, within families, within communities, that true heroes, like your local police officer, aren't seen anymore.

My father, who after retiring from law enforcement was a substitute teacher used to pose this question to his students "Which is easier, to become an NBA Star, or a doctor?".   The students would all agree that playing in the NBA was easier.   Then he would do the math:  32 teams x 11 men per team equals 352 players.   After that he would open up the phone book "Count the number of doctors".   Sure enough, it was far more than 352...and that is just one city (Washington D.C.) in this country, multiply that by all the cities and states and you have tens of thousands of doctors.

[doxielady5569128]

I am disgusted by what was happening on his property. I agree with David though, innocent until proven guilty.    I am most disgusted by the news networks showing images upon images of dogs fighting.  That was just awful, I couldn't watch tv this weekend because it seemed like every time i did I was bombarded by images i couldn't bear to see.   Poor judgement on their part, at least i think so.   

I just hope their is some justice for these poor dogs.   How sad.