Vick’s Dawgz (bipeds and otherwise)

Don’t tell me. You were expecting to see footage of one of those pitt bulls driving Michael Vick down I-95 in a white SUV weren’t you? Truth be told, those dogs don’t have driver’s licenses (Some may have learner’s permits). Somewhere in between the extremities of white-outrage and fanaticism and pro-black protectionism is the truth regarding whether or not NFL quarterback Michael Dwayne Vick had anything to do with the reported Pitt bull fighting ring that seems to have been a regular event in a house he owned in Virginia. Unfortunately we aren’t really going to know anything until the trial, and that’s a good thing.

In the meantime all we should really be doing is directing our righteous indignation toward the NBA gambling referee scandal. This is very crucial because in ’99 then-Indiana U coach Bob Knight made a statement inferring that the way that some Big Ten conference coaches were officiating, the possibility may exists of some competitive obstruction: “If we only knew the truth about games that were controlled by officials having gambling interests, I think it would be amazing.” This shouldn’t shock anyone since historically basketball leads the league in bookies. Am I implying some pizza-and-beer-guzzling white divorcee fathers need to stop listening to talk radio, stop watching the black quarterback and start checkin’ the white NBA referee, Tim Donaghy(He’s Fan-tastic)? Look, everything regarding the Vick saga to be said has already been said. What more are you expecting, some revealing disclosure from King, Boomer or Mr. Shanks? Take it from me, they won’t tell you anything other than “Roof,” “Ruff,” and “Grrrrrrr.”

I admit to not having heard a lot of electronic media commentary on the pitt bull story, I mean, not like I did with the Imus incident. But the best take on it I listened to was on “Sports Talk; The no. 1 Sports show in the Nation,” on WUFO-AM1080 Buffalo with host Pat Freeman. This guy made a point about why NFL players’ union head Gene Upshaw was seen at the press conference with the NFL Commissioner, as opposed to standing next to Vick at his press conference. Whom is he supposed to be representing anyway? Does everyone hate their job description that much?

So far, what some do know is back in April Vick’s cousin Davon Boddie-who can’t be too much smarter than those dogs, dawg-was arrested on drug-related charges. When they asked him where he lived, he gave them Vick’s address; 1915 Pitt Bull…. err, Moonlight Rd. This means you can expect an unannounced drug raid at your crib or doghouse at any time. Eventually Surrey City police (described by Kerry Dougherty of the Virginia Pitt Bull err Pilot as “a lovely unhurried place”) reluctantly went over to the house. At some point someone got wise to Boddie’s loose lips and hurried up and killed and buried some pitt bulls two days before police arrived. Police later found 66 dogs (55 were pitt bulls), dog-doping drugs and blood on the carpet and the dog-doo hit the fan. I assume somebody forgot to hire “Winston” that cleanup guy from “Pulp Fiction.”

It's going to take a lot to clean up Vick's image if he is found guilty and if he's innocent some of his family members and a lot of media people will owe him a huge apology. But that's the price prominent black figures pay when they get involved in suspicious activities, they subject themselves to witness testimony worse than eye-witness testimony. They fall victim to opinion-witness testimony. The witnesses who know the least.

Are Vick’s Critics Barking Up the Wrong Tree?  

It is very possible that the Atlanta Falcon’s quarterback can own a home and not know what is going on there if he doesn’t live here. even if his relatives are looking after it, you ask? Especially if his relatives are looking after it.

To be honest with you I don’t want to believe he had anything to do with such a grisly activity. Part of the reason it’s getting so much attention is not just because of race, but because Vick is a prominent name player in the league. He usually takes that team to the playoffs when he is healthy.

The rifle-armed signal caller was once considered the fastest player in the league. He wasn’t fast enough to intercept a damning memo to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell from the Humane Society’s Wayne Pacelle on 5/3 however: “We believe that the current situation involving Michael Vick is indicative of a larger subculture within the NFL of dogfights and other forms of violence against animals.”   

No-doubt Pacelle was in part referring to current and former NFL stars a little less prominent than Vick who were/are known to have loved pitt bull fights such as Nate Newton of the Cowboys and Tyrone Whealey of the Raiders. Just a few months ago Vick’s teammate Jonathan Babineaux actually beat his girlfriend’s pitt bull to death. NBA player Qynton Woods of the Portland Trailblazers was also known for pitt bull fights but with little controversy.

The truly sad part about this is the brainless practice of dog-fighting has sparked some ghetto misconceptions about dogs.   Pitt bulls-unlike some people-are not given to violence., they have a natural love for people and prefer not to beef with each other as other types of dogs do when outdoors. It takes some effort to make them violent. It’s their looks that makes them seem dangerous.   

Just as the involvement of other players isn’t necessarily of any consequence to Vicks, there is also the possibility that 142 years after slavery we have a black quarterback with a $130 million dollar contract-not counting endorsement deals with major companies-with an insipid hood-rat style dog-fighting operation going on with his complete approval.

If this is the case, then consider this a memo to either Vick or his peeps; contrary to popular belief among some blacks, the rules that constitute what is known as stupidity have not changed just because it’s 2007. Even if Vick is indeed innocent, certain professional athletes are going to have to find much more productive ways to spend their time and money.

Dog fighting is America ’s most infamous blood-sport, closely linked to drugs, and gang-banging and it shows.

Never Mind the Dogs, Beware of the Humans!  

No one is asking them to walk on water, but it sure can’t be too hard for some of these ballplayers to refrain from killing an animal for losing a fight (illegal in itself mind you), as they would expect fans to exercise reason and rationality when they themselves have a losing season or choke in the playoffs. For a professional athlete to receive otherwise would be… animalistic, wouldn’t it?