ESPN Completely Misrepresents the Vikings' Position on Michael Vick
by Christopher Gates on Feb 22, 2009 9:15 AM CST
in Minnesota Vikings
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PrintThere was a story that was printed on ESPN.com's NFL section yesterday with the headline "Vikes, 49ers Look to Vick to Fix QB Conundrums." Within said story, it is pointed out that Brad Childress didn't say one way or the other that the team has any interest in acquiring the "man" that's the scourge of dogs everywhere.
"We need to put somebody in place that will push [Tarvaris Jackson] and compete with him," Childress said. "I think competition is the nature of the game."
Childress wouldn't confirm or deny interest in Vick.
"I really don't get into hypotheticals because I think there's too much water that's got to happen. I'd cross that bridge when I come to it."
Well, this is probably a good move on Childress' part, particularly when one takes into consideration that Vick is still, technically, under contract to the Atlanta Falcons. After the circus that Ted Thompson's outright lies about the Vikings' interest in Brett Favre caused last off-season, Childress is wise to say that the team can't confirm nor deny interest in Vick.
However, had ESPN done just a small bit of research, they would have seen that Rick Spielman. . .who is under no such constraint. . .has pretty much flat-out denied the Vikings' interest in Vick.
Spielman elected not to answer when asked if the Vikings have any interest in Michael Vick, pointing out that Vick is under contract to the Falcons. Atlanta, of course, is shopping the rights to the incarcerated quarterback. Pressed a bit on the issue, Spielman said: "I just would say that we're very strong on our character and what type of people [we bring in]. You guys know how we've been about the type of players that we've brought in."
There's no reason for the Vikings to even think about considering whether they should contemplate possibly even wondering about whether they should look into acquiring Michael Vick's services. If any team in the NFL thinks that Michael Vick is the answer to their quarterback question, than they're already worse off at the position than Minnesota is.
In addition to not being a terribly good quarterback, it's been well established that Vick is a worthless human being. He wouldn't upgrade this team on the field, and he certainly wouldn't be doing them any favors off of it, either.
But, rather than get the facts and find out a little more about what's really going on, ESPN decided to say "OMG the Vikings might be interested in Michael Vick because Brad Childress didn't say that they weren't." It's call journalistic integrity, folks. . .please effort to find some in the future.
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Worthless human being?
Sick maybe. But worthless, no.
by PurplePeopleEaters on Feb 22, 2009 10:02 AM CST reply actions
No Perspective
Yeah, what Vick did was disgusting. And he has paid a HUGE price (humiliation, prison, loss of some 80 million $)
And yet Leonard Little of the Rams kills a woman while driving drunk. He was so remoreseful that he continued to drive drunk (and has NEVER apoligized to the victim’s family).
Who’s screaming about Leonard Little?
Speaking of “Little” how about a “LIttle” perspective here.
Also, while not in any way justifying Vick. MANY NFL players were fighting dogs back then.
Third it!
Totally agreed. I’m not a Vick fan, nor do I think he’s the next savior of the Vikings (let’s face it, he just spent a couple years off the field, it’s unreasonable to expect his level of play to be as good as it was before he was convicted). And as it’s been said, we already have an erratic ‘run and gun’ style QB, it’s not like we need two of them.
But Vick owned up to his politically incorrect crime, paid the price and did the time, give it up already and let the man have the second chance in society that he’s earned.
Did he earn it?
Yeah, he’s in prison. Yeah, he plead guilty to some, what was it, conspiracy charges? I can’t remember. I would have no problem with all that.
What I have a huge problem with is Michael Vick pleading guilty to dog fighting charges a few months ago for one sole purpose. Was it becuase he felt bad? Was it because he wanted to own up to what he did?
No. It was because he couldn’t get out early without pleading guilty to those charges.
I’m sure he’s sorry. Sorry he got caught, mostly, and sorry he lost a bunch of money. Would he do it again? I highly doubt it. If he hadn’t got caught, would he still be doing it? I think so, yes. Absolutely despicable.
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The Best Part
All these people calling him a worthless human being a saying he should never play again in the NFL, if those SAME people screwed up bad, they’d be the FIRST ones saying “I paid my debt to society, PLEASE give me a second chance.”
Maybe
The real issue to me is that people who do that to animals often become violent toward human beings as well. Does the propensity for violence go away just because he was caught and spent time in prison (also a violent place)? I doubt it.
Those who still judge Vick would not be able to say “I’m a celebrity! Give me special treatment!” As a result, they would remain in prison paying their debt to society for 10+ years, not 1-2.
RE: Maybe
See, I agree with you but I don’t think that’s the case here. I think dogfighting was part of the culture he knew fron his youth.
I almost liken it to drag racing. How many poeple think nothing of driving crazy on city streets? Incredibly dangerous and stupid and yet that might be the only bad behaviour they exhibit.
Not exactly the best example or an apples to apples comparison but I think it’s just more of a case of being involved in a sport (like cockfighting) whereby the person (Vick) isn’t a cruel or dangerous person; they are just doing something incredibly stupid and cruel.
Maybe when they step back they start to think “How stupid and inhumane.” I don’t know. I could be wrong. I just don’t think the guy’s a monster (at least I hope not).
So...
You can do things that are cruel and dangerous, but not be a cruel or dangerous person? It doesn’t work that way.
Sure we all have examples, drag racing is dangerous but people do it illegally, cockfighting is wrong, but people do it, smoking weed is illegal, but people do it. None of these self justifications make those things legal and A-OK to participate in regardless of how you view them.
And can we quit blaming “the culture of his youth”? What a f’ing cop-out. He knew it was wrong, which is why he tried to hide it. Maybe we should just be happy that dealing crack or launching babies from a catapult weren’t part of the “culture from his youth”.
And it not some secret or obscure rule that most people never heard of. He knew what he was doing was wrong, and he will pay the price. Some IMO, need to realize that just because you do time, doesn’t mean he deserves to be welcomed with open arms, all is forgiven. He will have to prove he regrets what he has done and work towards righting the wrong that got him in trouble in the first place.
RE: So
Yeah. People (like Charles Barkley recently) do stupid, potentially dangerous things (like driving drunk) and yet, I don’t think anybody would refer to Charles as “stupid or dangerous.”
That said, we are all products of our environment.
To me, you’re not being very reasonable. I’m 52. I was raised in the surburbs of Chicago. “Leave it to Beaver” not only was on TV back then, but it pretty much replicated my childhood life.
I now live in Phoenix. After I moved here in 1994 I became friends with a black family in South Phoenix (I’m white). They were customers of mine (satellite TV).
Great people. Their son was a star DB at Oregon who later played in the NFL for the Cowboys.
Let me tell you, however: There’s a HUGE difference betwen South phoenix and where I grew up. Almost ALL of the houses there (including that of the people I knew) had bars on the windows. In ALL my years visiting those people, I NEVER saw another white person in that neighborhood.
All of us come from different places and environments. While nobody condones what Vick did, it’s a little unfair for white people from the suburbs to pass judgment on someone form an almost completely different backround.
Fast forward five years ago. I bought a house in a town called Laveen, about 10 miles from South Phoenix. It’s a rural kind of area. My home and the others are on 1 acre lots (most houses in Phoenix are on postage stamp size lots).
The original owner of the house (and his wife) retired to Northern Arizona. He originally bulit the house in 1983. I never met the previous owner. I did learn, however, that he used to raise and fight “cockfighting chickens” on this property.
My black friends in Phoenix. The white guy who previously owned my house.
Most people, knowing nothing, would look down on my black friends and up to that white guy, if asked to make some kind of “quick, visual” judgment.
It’s kind of funny.
Congrats you have seen a double standard. Everyone has lived in a town with 2 sides. I currently live in Los Angeles. Want to compare houses with bars on them? It doesn’t matter what race you are or where you come from, what he did was wrong on a legal and moral level. I could careless who they are or where they are from, breeding animals to kill each other in a ring for entertainment is wrong. Everyone understands that if some nobody got caught it wouldn’t get much airplay, but Vick gets killed for doing it because he was/is a public figure making millions of dollars and promoting products on TV.
“All of us come from different places and environments. While nobody condones what Vick did, it’s a little unfair for white people from the suburbs to pass judgment on someone form an almost completely different backround.”
First, for all you know I am a 19 year old black kid from LA. I could be a Indian doctor. You have no idea. I wouldn’t be surprised if over half the people posting on here where black and most of them bashing him. Don’t try to get high and mighty talking about how its unfair for “white people” to pass judgement from someone from a different background because you have no basis as to what peoples backgrounds are that post here. It also doesn’t matter what the background is, it was wrong, he knew it, and he is paying for it and will continue to pay for it.
Sidenote – While I like Barkley and don’t think he is dangerous, he is stupid. And comparing a DUI to breeding animals for death duels is a stretch.
Dui Vs Dogfights
I think Dui’s are worse. And I’ve had one. People driving drunk can kill other people. Kids out riding their bikes, families just returning from church. It doesn’t matter. How many people are killed every year because of drunk drivers? Like I’ve said all along, I think what Vick did was wrong. But come on. There is a HUGE difference between dogfights, and innocent people getting killed by drunk drivers
by PurplePeopleEaters09 on Feb 23, 2009 8:11 PM CST up reply actions
Nobody said what he did wasn’t wrong. DUH!
I really don’t care who you are or where you came from, or your race for that matter. People like you are quick to judge others who may have been raised totally different than yourself.
See, now this is where you lose ALL credibility. Barkley Stupid? Don’t think so. Did he act stupidly? Absolutely.
See the difference. You say he’s stupid. I see he DID something stupid.
Ponder the difference between the two.
Look whose so quick to judge
You do care because you won’t have gone on and on about the difference between your white and your black friends if you didn’t.
And Barkley is stupid. He gambled all his money away and goes around running his mouth. Its funny and he is entertaining, but he is stupid and that is why he does stupid things.
No one is being quick to judge. He has been in jail for over a year. Everyone has had plenty of time to form an opinion on the subject. Mine is that if he hadn’t been caught, doing something that he knew was wrong and illegal, he would still be doing it. It doesn’t matter how differently he was raised from anybody, you are judged by your actions. He will be judged for this for the rest of his life and the only thing that can help with that is if he works to earn back the trust of the public, to show that he is truly sorry for what he has done.
Ponder how pretentious and moronic you sound.
RE: LOOK
You are STUPID and I can see through your BS.
According to you:
And Barkley is stupid. He gambled all his money away .
Do you see your MISTAKE there? I sure do. It’s the word AWAY! AWAY! Barkley, while admitting to having gambled and lost tons of money, isn’t close to gambling his money AWAY!!!
Away. That’s implies he’s broke. You or I should be as"broke" as Barkley is!
He hasn’t come close to gambling his money away.
Beyond that, he’s so far from stupid it’s not funny. He is almost universally liked and respected amongst ex and current players as well as the media for RUNNING HIS MOUTH (and speaking the truth)!
There’s a HUGE difference between saying that someone is STUPID, and in saying someone does some STUPID things.
BTW: Show me some EVIDENCE that Barkeley (according to you) gambled all his money away (there isn’t any).
See, an INCORRECT word here and an incorrect word there COMPLETELY changes the conversation.
You are a MASTER at that!
For a 52 year old satellite TV installer, you sure do have alot of time to go looking for fights on the internet. Why don’t you go find a mirror you can talk into for while.
I owned a satellite TV business. I’m now retired.
You make stupid statements. Like this one:
You can do things that are cruel and dangerous, but not be a cruel or dangerous person? It doesn’t work that way.
And this one. Not only stupid, but FALSE.
And Barkley is stupid. He gambled all his money away
You are way too quick to pass judgment on people, even if you have to use false statements to do it.
Don’t YOU have anything better to do with yourself?
The culture arguments always eat themselves
I’m 100% against all culture arguments because they cannot be seen as justified. If we allow ONE culture-based argument to defend someone like Michael Vick, then imagine what else is OK:
1) Murder, organized crime, and/or drive-by shootings, if one happened to grow up in such a neighborhood?
3) polygamy and arranged marriages of 12-14-year-old girls in cults.
4) Neo-nazi/skinhead/KKK crap.
5) Sacrificing live animals and/or humans in rituals.
6-???) I don’t really want to think about what else would be allowed on your slippery slope, but trust me that there would be more than this.
RE: The culture . . .
AS usual, people like you miss the point. No one is saying that the “culture argument” excuses or justifies someone’s behaviour. It doesn’t and shouldn’t.
It is, however, a mitigating circumstance.
If you grow up and your father is a high ranking mob figure, and I grow up in the same town as you, and my father is a grade school teacher, it might be reasonable to assume that we’d have a somewhat different outlook on life. That’s all.
If you were raised in Beverly Hills and I were raised near coal mines in Virginia, it might be reasonable to expect that we’d see life somewhat differently.
Most women in stripping, pornography and prostitution were sexually abused in their youth. It’s easy to pass judgment on them. Maybe if that had happened to you or I growing up, our lives might be completely different.
The AP Did This, Too
The AP story I linked to in the “Vick!?!?” fanpost did the same thing. They quoted Chilly as neither confirming or denying potential interest in Vick, referenced Childress’ comments about opening the QB competition up, and went from there to suggest that the Vikings were interested in Vick. Spielman’s denial was nowhere to be found in the story.
I say again: Chilly and Wilf have shown some cluelessness on things, but I cannot believe they would commit a PR blunder of this magnitude. Bringing in Vick, whatever you think of him, the charges against him, or the severity of his punishment, would backfire in a big way. Risk the public backlash to bring in a probably-out-of-shape erratic passer better suited to “slash” type WR/TB/QB gimmickry? No way.
by Midnight Rambler on Feb 22, 2009 10:10 AM CST reply actions
Why would a team who's offensive problem is mainly passing
turn to a guy who can’t pass to fix their “QB conundrum”? His numbers are actually pretty similar to Jackson’s so where’s the upgrade?
I know some people love this politically correct “he’s suffered enough” and “he deserves a second chance” talk, but I think he’s a scumbag. Does anyone really believe any of these athletes any more when they say they’re sorry and they’ve learned their lesson? It shouldn’t be that difficult not to engage in criminal activity, but to some of these guys, it seems to be. Maybe it’s just me.
Sure. he’ll get another shot or two, especially since the running QB “wildcat” is now in vogue, but I don’t think a man with such a poor character is a worthwhile addition to a team. The T.O.‘s, Pac Man’s, and Ocho Cinco’s of the NFL are talented as they can be, but are they really worth it? Where are their rings?
I can’t picture the Vikings going with him, and I can’t picture anyone giving up anything in trade for him. He’ll be released and sign a smaller contract with Dallas, Oakland, Cincy, or Washington.
Vick's Repentance
He’s definitely sorry. He may not feel about about killing some dogs, but he definitely repents losing millions of dollars. I feel pretty certain about the latter, especially in today’s economy.
Anyone who loses as much money as he did, is sorry. That’s the only way to ensure people like that are sorry, is to hit them in the wallet, and Vick’s wallet was brutalized.
The political correctness is all the sympathy for the dog, not for Vick’s having paid for his crime. The principle of doing your time and returning to society is at the foundation of this nation’s reason for having prisons to begin with. 50 years ago, a sentence like Vick’s would never come down. It wouldn’t even make it to court unless he shot someone else’s dog. Dogs, being property and all, rather than human beings, would have been considered a property issue.
Speilman’s said he’s not interested in Vick, and even if they were, it’d be at the risk of alienating a lot of very sensitive politically correct fans, and that’s something the Vikings can’t afford to lose. The lowest earning team in the NFL has to do everything it can to bring it’s fan base up.
“In addition to not being a terribly good quarterback, it’s been well established that Vick is a worthless human being.”
I signed up today just to respond to this worthless statement. SInce when did you become the expert and final voice and opinion on who is and is not worthless.
Unless you gave Michael Vick his abilities to be productive on the football field, which you did not, nor did you have a part in developing them. You should keep quiet.
You also had no role in his upbringing, exposures or life experiences.
You do not live inside of his head, so you do not know how he processes information and different situations.
I have seen a lot of things in my 36 years, some very bad, some very good.
I have a God-fearing mother, neighbors that would tear my tail up, and embarass me if they saw me doing something wrong, and friends who tried to help me walk the straight and narrow.
Until we all become perfect and stop the Lynch mob mentality we are all going to see something soon. Just because you may not have done what he did does not mean that you are without spot or wrinkles in your clothes, my advice is to be very careful when you are casting stones, because it may not be you today, but you do not know what situation you may find yourself in tomorrow.
I am quite sure you would want the opportunity to continue to live your life.
I have never been a Michael Vick fan, but I value human life and well being.
I hope he doesn’t even want to come back to football, wouldn’t that shut everyone up.
I want him to find a new means to supporting himself and his family that would take him out of the limelight light for a few years and he works towards building young boys and girls into strong men and women.
Looks back, is thankful for the opportunity he had, and appreciates his future.
That is all, and God bless you too.
Find the Love in your heart and it will dissolve the misery you express towards another that you do not know.
I've never once said that I was perfect
And for you to imply that I have is disingenuous at best, and ignorant at worst.
Vick isn’t that good a quarterback. He’s certainly not a good enough quarterback where the Vikings should even give him any consideration. Hell, we already have one quarterback that runs better than he throws. . .and at least the one we already have hasn’t been known to enjoy torturing and killing animals on a regular basis.
I have no respect for Michael Vick. . .not on the field, and certainly not off of it. If you do, whatever your reasoning might be, that’s fine.
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by Christopher Gates on Feb 22, 2009 11:33 AM CST up reply actions
michael Vick
Vick isn’t the answer at QBand i highly doubt that they will sign him or trade for him
I think the Vikings need a QB to atleast Push TJ but Vick isn’t the one
Danoo
vick
You think its hard to get stadium funding now, just wait if we acquire vick.
I dont think the viks want to endure that publicity nightmare.
after the love boat fiasco this would have the press druling for stories.
a bad move
Disgusting? Perhaps.
100% correct in my assessment?
Certainly.
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by Christopher Gates on Feb 22, 2009 2:27 PM CST up reply actions
"I’ve never once said that I was perfect
And for you to imply that I have is disingenuous at best, and ignorant at worst.
Vick isn’t that good a quarterback. He’s certainly not a good enough quarterback where the Vikings should even give him any consideration. Hell, we already have one quarterback that runs better than he throws. . .and at least the one we already have hasn’t been known to enjoy torturing and killing animals on a regular basis.
I have no respect for Michael Vick. . .not on the field, and certainly not off of it. If you do, whatever your reasoning might be, that’s fine."
I never once called you perfect, and the fact that you state, you have no respect for Michael Vick shows in the way you wrote the statement that I disagreed with.
I again, state, I have never been a Michael Vick fan, but I watch and read the articles about Mr. Vick, and when I disagree with a point that has been written or said, I will voice my opinion in the matter.
You are entitled to your view, and I am entitled to mine. When you take it upon yourself to write about someone being worthless. I take offense to it. It is not people who determine our worth, but God.
I have seen a lot worse quarterbacks and I have seen a lot better. There are some who never get in the game, but are yet collecting a paycheck.
I say judge his actions yes, but to say that someone is worthless, yes I REALLY have a problem with the choice of word used!
I'm shocked....SHOCKED...that ESPN
would mis-represent someone’s viewpoint or opinion in an attempt to improve their ratings.
ESPN using shoddy journaism? Say it ain’t so!!
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Gonzo
You are a good writer man. But I have to say that if you are going to be the voice to this website, a website a frequent everyday and enjoy contributing to, you need to keep your biases out of your writing. I appreciate you raising issues. That is your job. But sometimes when you write it is extremely biased and that is not good journalism.
by PurplePeopleEaters09 on Feb 22, 2009 2:33 PM CST reply actions
In all fairness,
could you actually list ANY source of news – sports or otherwise – that isn’t biased. Everyone has a bias and it will show through at some point; it’s not bad journalism, it’s human nature.
Bias is the fundamental part of a "blog."
If Gonzo were an AP reporter, and he wrote like this, his butt would be long gone.
Opinions are what drive a blog and their readership.
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by Andersklasen on Feb 22, 2009 4:46 PM CST up reply actions
This kind of half-baked idle speculation
is what the offseason is all about unfortunately especially since Vick isn’t likely to be reinstated by Goodell for this season.
by VikingBillArlingtonVA on Feb 22, 2009 6:32 PM CST up reply actions
Go GONZO
I agree, “blogging” is code for “biasing,” projecting bias into the world of words. I would hate to see Gonzo keep his opinions out of this. As a pit bull rescuer/activist, I happen to agree with him in this case, there have been times I have not. But, this is not the place to aspire to objectivity. And, by the way, PurplePeopleEaters, if you imagine that objectivity exists anywhere, you need to dig a bit deeper.
by Anthony Carter on Feb 23, 2009 10:05 AM CST up reply actions
not saying he can't have opinions
But to claim someone is a worthless human being? That’s just wrong. I’m not religious or anything. I’m not trying to talk down towards him. But come on. If you think it is ok to call someone worthless, something is wrong with you. Either that, or you’ve never done anything wrong in your life. I can tell you I’ve done some stupid shit in my life. I’ve been caught. I’ve said I was sorry. I haven’t done those things again. Does that make me a worthless human being?
To repeat my point: no problem with opinions. Just be mature about it.
by PurplePeopleEaters09 on Feb 23, 2009 12:12 PM CST up reply actions
I doubt...
Just to play devil’s advocate, I doubt you bet on the life and death of a living creature, followed by the systematical killing of any deemed unworthy to compete.
BIIIIIG difference. To me, that means he has problems mentally; deep-seeded problems with little appreciation for the lives of living things. That’s bad news bears all around.
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No offense
But I doubt you’ve ever even been in an inner-city. Let alone grown up in one. Things are a lot different there. I’m in no way saying what he did was wrong. But things are a lot different growing up where he grew up.
by PurplePeopleEaters09 on Feb 23, 2009 12:35 PM CST up reply actions
None taken, but...
Growing up in the inner-city is no excuse to bet on the deaths of living creatures. That’s a cop out.
If his parents failed to teach him the ethics of right and wrong, that can’t all be put on him. I’m sure where he grew up did cause him to be the way he is, at least in some capacity. If we go with this argument, we might as well debate nature versus nurture, and that’s a debate that’s been raging for years and years.
There are plenty of people who have grown up in the inner-city and not raised, fought, and killed dogs for money. There are some who have, of course, but to generalize that growing up in the inner-city is an excuse for his actions isn’t right either.
Again, I see your point, but personally, I don’t think that should be taken into account for what he did. He bred, trained, fought, and killed dogs in the business of gambling. That’s an illegal action, and he should be punished accordingly. Even if he does his time and gets out, that doesn’t absolve him in the minds of many, many people.
My big thing is this: If he hadn’t got caught, would he still be doing it? I think he would. I don’t believe he’d have a radical change of heart. And to me, that means jail sentence wouldn’t cure his ailments. I’m sure it helped, and he won’t do it again, but does that make him a better person?
I guess if any of us knew that, we wouldn’t be posting things on the internet. We’d be laughing our way to the bank. Oh well. It’s fun to debate.
No offense intended to anyone who read this prior post.
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This is a violent world. Our country hasn’t gone 10 years without flexing military might. READ: KILLING PEOPLE. Innocent people, women and children, all kinds of animals, etc. etc.
The law says killing animals in the fashion Vick plead to is illegal. There is a larger moral case against it, but to suggest that “he has problems mentally; deep-seeded problems with little appreciation for the lives of living things.” is absurd in the larger perspective. Some people think MMA is barbaric. Do boxing fans have deep seaded mental issues for enjoying fighting? Combat sport, whether man v. man, man v. animal, animal v. animal has a long history and has for the most part been accepted for its entainment value. It doesn’t make people sick.
Who said I agreed with...
Who said I agreed with MMA? Or wars? Or violence?
It’s my opinion. In my view, someone who can breed, train, fight, and kill animals without remorse has problems.
And to compare MMA to dog fighting is a little absurd. I see the relation in that they are both combat sports, but MMA fighters CHOOSE to fight. It’s not their only purpose in life, and they were not forced to do it. These dogs had no choice.
In my opinion, better on the life and death of a living animal, put up against its will, is totally and completely wrong, and shows a deeper mental issue.
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Vick, violence
Everyone who is sticking up for Vick should educate themselves on this subject a bit more, starting with this list of murderers who first killed or maimed animals.
Anyone who enjoys watching a living thing suffer and die is seriously and dangerously deranged. Among police, psychologists, and psychiatrists, there is no debate on this matter whatsoever.
I would like to see us add Vick and go into the season with him and TJack...
because we obviously aren’t going to find anyone better and our current QB stable is wasting the talent of the rest of our team. Vick and TJack are essentially the same player, except Vick is 10 times more talented. Factor in that both of them are fairly injury prone and can count on some sort of injury during the season, you don’t have to change your offense at all when the other QB takes over.
Anything is better than having to suffer through watching Frerotte throw 3 interceptions and getting injured twice a game or TJack missing wide open receivers or getting pressured at which time he does his patented move of chucking the ball down the middle of the field to no one in particular. All I want is hope that I don’t have to watch this anymore.
Better use of time...
I have to believe that there are better uses for your time. Vigorously defending that piece of trash on an internet blog…really?
If it makes you feel any better. Change “worthless” to “seemingly worthless” or “worth very little”.
You want to play the religion card…fine. Who are you to judge Gonzo’s assertion. God will be his judge, not you. See how easy that is?…
I agree. First off who in the hell would want Vick first off I agree he is a worthless piece of shit. Second any team that picked him up would take so much flak from all over the country that its not worth it. And the guy isn’t even that good of a QB and a puke at that. Now to the religious whacko who said he/she signed up to preach there bs on everyone who reads the articles. GTFO I could keep going on and on but people get the picture.
Oh and to keep it about football the Vikes really should look to trade for Hasselbeck or Cassel. I like Garcia but it would be nice to get a guy who could be around a few years.
Sounds about right
The use of Gonzo journalism suggests that journalism can be truthful without striving for objectivity and is loosely equivalent to an editorial.
Works for me!
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by Christopher Gates on Feb 22, 2009 7:49 PM CST up reply actions
All I'm sayin
is that you don’t need to say things like “it’s been well established that Vick is a worthless human being.” I understand this is a blog, and personal opinions are what drives sites like this. But if you are going to be the “leader” of this page, start acting like it. Saying things like you said in this article sound very childish.
by PurplePeopleEaters09 on Feb 22, 2009 8:21 PM CST reply actions
I don't have a dog in this fight either way
…dog in this fight, get it? (geez, I crack myself up sometimes)…but my thinking is that if it’s his site, he can write what he wants. That gives us, the visitors to his site, one of two options:
Deal with it and continue to peruse the DN,
OR
Go somewhere else on these here internets.
Thoughts on the Vikings, Buckeyes, and Cardinals
www.purplebuckeye.blogspot.com
is this his site?
Or is this the Vikings page on SB Nation? If it is his site and he created it and started it, then yes, I will allow him to post whatever propaganda he so chooses. If this is in fact a page on the SB Nation’s site, then Gonzo would only be the lead contributor, in which case he should keep his personal vendetta against certain players out of his writing.
by PurplePeopleEaters09 on Feb 22, 2009 9:53 PM CST up reply actions
Vick
Made a mistake,is doing his time that he was given to serve.He fought dogs against each other,made some bets while not truly a good thing not all that horrific either,My thought is when his prison time is up he has paid his debt.Will he have learned anything is up to him to decide but we shouldnt be trying to lay anymore punishment on him either.If he comes out is truly sorry then the least we should do is show a little forgivness.
Vick
I’ve taken the time to read all of the writings (pro and con) on Mr. Vick on these pages and I’ve yet to see one piece ask this question…What would Mike Vick be doing today if he’d never have been caught? The answer is obvious. He’d still be fighting dogs and drawing a huge paycheck playing in the NFL. He was CAUGHT breaking the law. It’s not like he woke up one morning realizing that what he was doing was wrong and decided to turn himself in to the authorities. He was turned in by the stupidity of one of his own relatives who was caught dealing drugs and sang like a canary to save their ass. First he tried to lie his way out of it, then he confessed when all of his co-defendents started copping plea bargains to testify against him. He only came clean when he had no other choice. I live in Virginia and have seen this episode on the front pages of newspapers since the story broke. I’ve talked to people who were in school with Vick at Tech and teachers who have taught him. He has always had this “above the law” mentality that he could do whatever he pleased and not have to answer to anyone about it and it finally caught up to him. If he is truly remorseful, time will tell when he’s released.
RE: Vick
When you say he always had this “above the law” mentality, that’s what happens when everybody kisses your ass since you could throw a ball in grade school. As these great athletes are growing up, they are made to fel that they are better than everybody else.
It’s little wonder, then, that they often act that way.
Which is the main reason his ass was put in jail. Will it change him entirely? Probably not, but prison is a consequence meant to curb illegal behavior.
If response to some opinions here: who cares if he’s “learned a lesson,” or values the life of a dog more now? That isn’t what this is about. Dogs get kicked everyday. Will he resist bankrolling and operating illegal dog fighting operations in the future? I’d bet the answer to that is yes – and that is all society can ask of him.
Victim Mentality
So you’re saying that people kissing his ass is an excuse for his behavior? I learned at an early age that when a stranger tries too hard to be my friend, I steer clear of that person at all costs. People have written in posts that his upbringing could have had a hand in his poor decisions. I’m not buying that. I’ve spent approx. 20 years on the streets seeing how all walks of life live and your surroundings aren’t an excuse for a victim mentality or breaking the law. This guy went to college on a free ride which is more than most of the population can say. So what if he was raised a certain way. The choice is ultimately his whether to wallow in pity of his upbringing or try to rise above it to become a better person. He went to college. You would think he knew the difference between right and wrong. Many more people than him know the difference without a college education and have been raised in similar or worse circumstances and HAVEN’T broken the law and HAVE become good citizens simply by a desire to rise above their social handicaps if not for themselves, for the sake of their own children. Can you answer the question…What would Mike Vick be doing today if he’d have never been caught? By your post he’d be looking in the mirror making the excuse that because people kiss his ass, he’ll keep fighting dogs….
People like you just don’t get it. You twist people’s words. Nobody is excusing his behavior. Having your ass kissed since grade school doesn’t excuse his behaviour.
It helps to EXPLAIN how some atheletes act like they are above the law. Mainly because they have kinda been treated that way for a long, long time
Making Excuses...
or trying to explain something away is exactly what’s wrong with society today. Nobody wants to take responsibility for their actions. The truth is that if he hadn’t been caught he’d still be breaking the law. Another piece of info that I neglected to say was that a former teacher of Vick stated that he was one of the dumbest people he’d ever tried to teach and apparently his family follows suit. His cousin who was busted for selling drugs that started the house of cards falling on him…This guy had a free ride by his rich cousin and he wasn’t smart enough be legit? His brother could have had a career in the NFL also but was constantly getting into trouble and was seen on national television stomping on a player who was down? Then he lied about apologizing to the player afterwards? Was he really dumb enough to think that the media wasn’t going to ask the other player about that? Apparently he was…Mike Vick had the world by the tail and was too stupid to appreciate what he had and after your comments you have the nerve to tell me that I don’t get it? He got let off easy.
Vick
i dont think Vick is a good person he should be in the pen longer then he is normly want to give people second chanse but i just dont think Vick deserve a second chanse he blew it he should just walk away wile some people still like him
Danoo
One aspect that is ignored. The pundits have selective amnesia.
Seems like the ESPN NFL pundits forget one thing. Goodell holds the cards, he could make Vick’s indefinite suspension permanent. Dogfighting is one thing. When it comes to illegal gambling(all forms) the league has a toxic aversion to players being involved in it.
An excerpt from Goodell’s letter to Vick:
" “Your plea agreement and the plea agreements of your co-defendants also demonstrate your significant involvement in illegal gambling. Even if you personally did not place bets, as you contend, your actions in funding the betting and your association with illegal gambling both violate the terms of your NFL Player Contract and expose you to corrupting influences in derogation of one of the most fundamental responsibilities of an NFL player.”
by ELO Vike Fan 1977 on Feb 23, 2009 6:08 AM CST reply actions
a charity event for HIS DOGS - Vick that is!
The star studded celebrity gala and movie release brings together and incredible and dynamic collection of personalities under one roof in Las Vegas. The event combines three of the most powerful tattoo studios in the word. Spearheaded by Brandon Bond, CEO of “All or Nothing Inc.” which is one of the most successful studios in the history of the industry. John Huntington of the show “INKED”, formerly Hart and Huntington now opening his own enterprise inside the Palms casino, “Huntington Ink”. Mario Barth, one of the most successful and powerful figures in the history of tattooing and the owner of “Stralight Tattoo” a worldwide empire of high end studios including a shop inside Mandalay Bay as well as several studios in Europe of the same name. Award winning chef Ralph Perazzo, of www.rareconcepts.com is arranging a slew of amazing nationally respected chefs to prepare an elegant dinner for the event. World series of Poker winner Erick Lindgren and popular prop bet player from the tour Gavin Smith are hosting a celebrity poker tournament featuring such celebrities as James Madio (Basketball Diaries and Golden Globe winner for “Band of Brothers”).
Also in attendance will be Music icon Evan Seinfeld and his wife Tera Patrick. Evan is best known as the legendary vocalist of the MULTI-Platinum album selling BIOHAZARD, and is also an adult film actor, director, photographer, writer, and entrepreneur. He also starred in the award winning HBO series OZ. His newest musical project will be debuting at the PIT BALL Concert, The Spyderz, are a fresh and new rock and roll band that is very different from anything Evan has previously done.
His wife and adult film star, Tera Patrick is the number one pornstar in the world today. Tera has transcended hardcore porn to mainstream celebrity, emerging as the millennium’s first authentic global sex symbol. In her almost 10 years in the entertainment business, Tera has been featured in over 100 adult films and has appeared on more magazine covers than any other adult star in history. Since winning the coveted “Best New Starlet” award for her first film, Tera has gone on to win every major award in the medium and she continues to set records on the adult charts. In her almost 10 years in the entertainment business, Tera has been featured in over 100 adult films and has appeared on more magazine covers than any other adult star in history. Since winning the coveted “Best New Starlet” award for her first film, Tera has gone on to win every major award in the medium and she continues to set records on the adult charts.
Michael Berryman is an actor featured in “VICKTORY to the Underdog”, which will be premiered at the Great Pit Ball. Berryman can also be found in such movies as The Devils Rejects, One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest, Weird Science, and The Hills Have Eyes.
Formally the shop manager of LA Ink, Pixie Acia is also in the film and will be in attendance. The former Fear Factor game show winner is a Pescatarian (vegetarian who eats fish), loves animals and lives in Los Angeles with her two pit bulls, Cup Cake and Chopper, and her cat, Monkey.
Sick Of It All will be playing the benefit concert. As one of the longest standing bands still proudly waving the flag of New York Hardcore. The members of Madball will also be in attendance and performing. They are icons in the underground and that underground now spills forth into the streets. Since forming in 1988, Madball has been responsible for some of the most important releases in the genre, from the seminal Ball of Destruction EP (1989) to the landmark albums Set It Off (1994), Demonstrating My Style (1996), Look My Way (1998), Hold it Down (2000), and their career defining resurgent Ferret Music debut, Legacy (2005). The Spyderz will be performing. The Reinvention of Hard Rock and Roll at the next level. The marriage of riffs and melody fused with lyrics straight from the gut. Lead singer Evan Seinfeld of the multi platinum selling BIOHAZARD, will be unleashing his newest songs at this event. And from Florida, Toe Tag is the newest addition to the huge library of Eulogy Records (featured on the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack “VICKtory to the Underdog”). Toe Tag also features members of the well know hardcore band UNTIL THE END which is also showcased on the soundtrack to the film.
for more information on the “Great Pit Ball”, and updated celebrity attendee lists as well as ticket and venue information please go to www.ALLORNOTHINGTATTOO.com and www.ATLANTAPITBULLRESCUE.com.
For a preview of the film “Vicktory to the Underdog” please go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZymzpYW_uU
Contact for media and information, nicole@allornothingtattoo.com.
by www.atlantaapitbullrescue.com on Feb 23, 2009 11:13 AM CST reply actions
Dog Concert
That is easily one of the stupidest, most wasteful, asinine things I’ve ever heard of in my life.
the vick situation! sorry the message cut off the top?
“VICKtory to the Underdog”, Hell and Back. A film produced by STRANGLEHOLD PUBLICATIONS in association with BADASS Productions, directed by Brandon Bond, produced by Rebecca Guilespie.
Filmed in HD (High Definition)
“VICKtory to the Underdog”, Hell and Back is a highly anticipated documentary premiering in Las Vegas, NV, on March 14, 2009, and accompanies a star studded red carpet gala. This intense project is a behind-the-scenes look into the lives of several rescued abused pit bulls and the process of acclimating them from a lifetime of torture and abuse, with the assistance of many celebrities and unlikely characters.
This innovative and controversial glance into a very different opinion on the Michael Vick situation is a movie featuring world famous tattoo artist Brandon Bond (two Time “International Tattoo Artist of the Year” and owner of the world renowned ALL OR NOTHING Empire), Danny Trejo (Dusk til Dawn, Heat), Bob Barker (The Price is Right, Happy Gilmore), Michael Berryman (The Devils Rejects, One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest, The Hills Have Eyes), Donal Logue (Max Payne, Zodiac, Blade, Grounded for Life) and Pixie Acia (L.A. Ink, Miami Ink) and Senator Chip Rogers (GA) who is the GA senator who just passed a bill in the film to make dogfighting a felony in GA.
“Vicktory To The Underdog” takes an in depth look at world renowned tattoo artist Brandon Bond and his dog rescue efforts, particularly rescuing several of the infamous Michael Vick fighting dogs. Rather than focusing on the dog fighting problem, the movie sheds light on solutions leading to “Vicktory” for all the underdogs in the movie. Heavily tattooed people, pit bulls, parolees and all the other people in this world that society has turned their back on through ignorance, prejudice, and racism. The movie also examines the life of Brandon Bond and his struggle with balancing fame, fortune and the Rock-N-Roll tattoo lifestyle with a more fulfilling life that focuses on the betterment of both animals and society as a whole.
Also explored in the film is an extremely unique perspective on Michael Vick and his controversial return to the NFL. All of the celebrities and central characters in the film share their experiences with making mistakes, and growing into success as a result of subsequent change. In turn some characters express a unique concept that Vick actually may deserve a second chance after all, even in light of the horrific report of what happened to the dogs featured in the film. This is the only project based in animal abuse and the Vick topic that even explores this possibility. Each character in the film has endured prejudice, prejudgement, legal issues, or alienation for various reasons, and has overcome achieving their own “Vicktories”, and encourage the estranged NFL quarterback to do the same. This concept will be highly controversial inside the animal rights communities.
This film defines an independent movie in every since. It was funded, directed, and created entirely by Brandon Bond and his publishing company Stranglehold Publications. Over 6 years of footage, and 500 hours of tapes were sifted through to create this project. Bond enlisted the help of a Los Angeles based company “Badass Productions” to edit and streamline the end result, however, the project remains untainted, uncensored, and intense. This is no Animal Planet special!
The star studded celebrity gala and movie release brings together and incredible and dynamic collection of personalities under one roof in Las Vegas. The event combines three of the most powerful tattoo studios in the word. Spearheaded by Brandon Bond, CEO of “All or Nothing Inc.” which is one of the most successful studios in the history of the industry. John Huntington of the show “INKED”, formerly Hart and Huntington now opening his own enterprise inside the Palms casino, “Huntington Ink”. Mario Barth, one of the most successful and powerful figures in the history of tattooing and the owner of “Stralight Tattoo” a worldwide empire of high end studios including a shop inside Mandalay Bay as well as several studios in Europe of the same name. Award winning chef Ralph Perazzo, of www.rareconcepts.com is arranging a slew of amazing nationally respected chefs to prepare an elegant dinner for the event. World series of Poker winner Erick Lindgren and popular prop bet player from the tour Gavin Smith are hosting a celebrity poker tournament featuring such celebrities as James Madio (Basketball Diaries and Golden Globe winner for “Band of Brothers”).
Also in attendance will be Music icon Evan Seinfeld and his wife Tera Patrick. Evan is best known as the legendary vocalist of the MULTI-Platinum album selling BIOHAZARD, and is also an adult film actor, director, photographer, writer, and entrepreneur. He also starred in the award winning HBO series OZ. His newest musical project will be debuting at the PIT BALL Concert, The Spyderz, are a fresh and new rock and roll band that is very different from anything Evan has previously done.
His wife and adult film star, Tera Patrick is the number one pornstar in the world today. Tera has transcended hardcore porn to mainstream celebrity, emerging as the millennium’s first authentic global sex symbol. In her almost 10 years in the entertainment business, Tera has been featured in over 100 adult films and has appeared on more magazine covers than any other adult star in history. Since winning the coveted “Best New Starlet” award for her first film, Tera has gone on to win every major award in the medium and she continues to set records on the adult charts. In her almost 10 years in the entertainment business, Tera has been featured in over 100 adult films and has appeared on more magazine covers than any other adult star in history. Since winning the coveted “Best New Starlet” award for her first film, Tera has gone on to win every major award in the medium and she continues to set records on the adult charts.
Michael Berryman is an actor featured in “VICKTORY to the Underdog”, which will be premiered at the Great Pit Ball. Berryman can also be found in such movies as The Devils Rejects, One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest, Weird Science, and The Hills Have Eyes.
Formally the shop manager of LA Ink, Pixie Acia is also in the film and will be in attendance. The former Fear Factor game show winner is a Pescatarian (vegetarian who eats fish), loves animals and lives in Los Angeles with her two pit bulls, Cup Cake and Chopper, and her cat, Monkey.
Sick Of It All will be playing the benefit concert. As one of the longest standing bands still proudly waving the flag of New York Hardcore. The members of Madball will also be in attendance and performing. They are icons in the underground and that underground now spills forth into the streets. Since forming in 1988, Madball has been responsible for some of the most important releases in the genre, from the seminal Ball of Destruction EP (1989) to the landmark albums Set It Off (1994), Demonstrating My Style (1996), Look My Way (1998), Hold it Down (2000), and their career defining resurgent Ferret Music debut, Legacy (2005). The Spyderz will be performing. The Reinvention of Hard Rock and Roll at the next level. The marriage of riffs and melody fused with lyrics straight from the gut. Lead singer Evan Seinfeld of the multi platinum selling BIOHAZARD, will be unleashing his newest songs at this event. And from Florida, Toe Tag is the newest addition to the huge library of Eulogy Records (featured on the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack “VICKtory to the Underdog”). Toe Tag also features members of the well know hardcore band UNTIL THE END which is also showcased on the soundtrack to the film.
for more information on the “Great Pit Ball”, and updated celebrity attendee lists as well as ticket and venue information please go to www.ALLORNOTHINGTATTOO.com and www.ATLANTAPITBULLRESCUE.com.
For a preview of the film “Vicktory to the Underdog” please go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZymzpYW_uU
Contact for media and information, nicole@allornothingtattoo.com.
by www.atlantaapitbullrescue.com on Feb 23, 2009 11:16 AM CST reply actions
second that
not gonna read all that BS
by PurplePeopleEaters09 on Feb 23, 2009 12:07 PM CST up reply actions
Argue about Vick all you want...
But even the Vikings beat writers find it ridiculous that Vick is being mentioned in conjunction with the Vikes. Like I said last week, we already have a Vick-like QB without baggage that we don’t like very much. Enough already.
by Eric J. Thompson on Feb 23, 2009 12:40 PM CST reply actions
When Mike Vick is released from prison, gets off parole and completes everything else the judge handed down during sentencing he will have paid his debt to society and deserves a second chance at life just like everyone else who commits a crime and gets caught. As far as him coming to the Vikes I say NO!!!! They’re having a hard enough time getting approval for a part publicly funded stadium and bringing him here would just add to their problems. I want the VIKES to stay here where they belong!
Its one thing to do a crime but Vick clearly isn’t very intelligent either. I mean the guy flat out denied it when asked about his crimes while still playing. He keeps doing it even though hes being watched. Hes a moron and I don’t believe he does deserve a second chance at least not in the NFL. I’ve had enough of the Terrel Owens, Pacman Jones, Chad Johnsons they gotta go. Vick should be perma-banned from the NFL and whatever happens happens to him I don’t care. I also hope that people on this board would be embarrased if Vick came to Minnesota because you should.
2 reasons Vick is worthless
1) Wherever there is dogfighting, there is gambling, and gambling does not belong in professional sports. Let him throw pick-6s for the Lions, Packers, or Bears to settle gambling debts, but not in a Vikings uni. Professional sports teams and leagues can’t trust people like this, or like that NBA referee, even after they’ve said that they are sorry. It’s not worthwhile to trust them again. Playing and officiating in a top league is a priviledge, not a right. Pete Rose didn’t kill anyone, and he wasn’t accused of gambling while playing the game (it was during his managerial days).
2) I believe that he is sorry; however, that doesn’t alter whatever derangement in his brain experienced pleasure from watching living things suffer and die. Enjoying violent acts toward and suffering of animals often precedes violent acts toward humans. There is no debate among experts (police, psychologists, psychiatrists, etc.) on this matter.
How about Boxing?
Are people who enjoy watching a boxing match more likely to beat up their spouses and kids? Maybe they should all be preemptively thrown in jail, just in case.
I think the “experts” need to go soak their heads.
What vikingfuture8816 said, plus...
…the boxers aren’t fighting until one or both are dead.
VERY big difference.
And that just makes it worse...
That boxers choose to beat one another to a pulp in a ring, with millions of screaming fans watching and cheering them on. That makes it better? Are you suggesting that dogs never fight on their own accord?
I don’t think that it being a fight to the death, or not, makes it worse. The point is the fight, the combat, the blood, the pain, the driving will to fight through the pain. Oh yeah, baby, that’s the money…
You guys are cherry-picking, and your arguments are fatuous. You can use these arguments on anyone, in just about any situation, and it doesn’t necessary make it so. People are different, people have free will and can CHOOSE. You don’t throw someone in jail because you think he has a propensity towards violence, based on his background or the flavor of kool-aid he’s drinking. You wait til he commits the crime, then you drop the hammer.
to be honest with all of you
it doesn’t matter where you were raised. wrong is wrong and thats all there is to it. my boys try and pull fast ones on me all the time, telling me that they didn;t think i would get mad, knowing full well that they knew better and i’d get pissed. so, that being said, i agree with gonzo, he is a worthless person, and that is my opinion, and i am entitled to express it, and i am willing to accept any disagreements. gonzo has the same right and also the same responsibility. disagree if you like, but don’t crucify the dude just because you disagree with him.
Also, just to show that i;m not biased, i’ve had to kill dogs before for being rabid, chasing stock, etc. it makes me very upset to do it, but it is something that at the point, is necessary. the difference between what i’ve done and what mike vick is that him and his stupid cronies took bets on their dogs, while i had to kill valuable members of my family. big difference.
Green Bay or the Windy City..... There but for the Grace of God go I.
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