The most exciting player in the history of the Atlanta Falcons wrote an op-ed in the Southwest Florida News-Press about the second-most exciting player in the history of the Atlanta Falcons. And Deion Sanders had some interesting -- and bizarre -- things to say about Michael Vick. Check out Pro Football Talk for a good rundown of everything Sanders wrote, but I'll focus on just one passage:
I believe Vick had a passion for dogfighting. I know many athletes who share his passion. The allure is the intensity and the challenge of a dog fighting to the death. It's like ultimate fighting, but the dog doesn't tap out when he knows he can't win.First of all, it's interesting that Sanders says he believes Vick was involved in dog fighting. Almost every athlete and former athlete who has commented on the case has refused to state, point blank, that he believes Vick takes part in the cruel, barbaric and illegal activity. Sanders is an exception in that regard.
It reminds me of when I wore a lot of jewelry back in the day because I always wanted to have the biggest chain or the biggest, baddest car. It gives you status.
But secondly, dog fighting is a felony. If Sanders knows "many athletes" who have a passion for committing this felony, he should actively work with law enforcement agencies to help them prevent this felony from being committed. And he should stop suggesting that forcing dogs to maul each other to death is similar to wearing a lot of jewelry.
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 16)
1. roozster 09:12:39 PM Jul 25 2007
Michael Vick just crossed into Jeffry Dahmer territory. Anyone who gets off on brutality and control is sick and perverted. I think he ought to be beaten with a stick and electrocuted in a bathtub while a bunch of drunken fools laugh their butts off. That would be an eye for an eye. I'm three times Michael Vick's age and I know I could kick his butt...just me and him, one on one, no dogs allowed. Never met a coward could fight a lick.
Posted at 10:31PM on Jul 25th 2007 by rooz
2. Sanders is a jerk. He shows the same lack of respect for animals as his kind shows for black women. It's a trend. He is so meaningless that his take on this should not have even been considered!
Posted at 10:54PM on Jul 25th 2007 by nochickenhawk
3. You say if he know about this he should work with law enforcement to stop it. Do you know anyone who gambles with a bookie? Do you everything in your power to stop them, and inform the appropriate authorities?
Posted at 10:58PM on Jul 25th 2007 by petro
4. I applaud Deion Sanders for his most compelling insight. More need to speak up.
Posted at 11:10PM on Jul 25th 2007 by Mp7duce8
5. Deion was the best one on one cover guy ever. Too bad he is stupid. I can not believe a preacher could some how make light out of the brutal beating and killing of something God made. Has any of your kids ever had a dog stolen so it could be used to let a bigger, stronger dog kill it. Just to make the dog a better killer. He must be able to picture doing this himself to defend it. Sorry I used to like you. Now I will turn TV off when you are on. I will also write letters to who ever allows you to speak on their show. It is a free country, say what ever stupid things you want. Don't think people will let you off the hook though. Keep saying these stupid things, you will be off the air.
Posted at 11:13PM on Jul 25th 2007 by atlfan42
6. How could you possibly compare betting on Monday Nite Football with freakin' genocide
Posted at 11:22PM on Jul 25th 2007 by golfmavrick
7. DEion where is the proof that Michael has the passion for dogfighting?
Posted at 11:29PM on Jul 25th 2007 by George B Vieto
8. Come on! people have fought pitbulls for years and years,certainly nothing unprecedented. STOP HATING. some of you treat your own kids worst than the dogs were treated, and thats real!
Posted at 11:34PM on Jul 25th 2007 by bigruss95
9. First for the writer of this passage to suggest that Deion "work" with law enforcement people to help prevent these felonies is being hypocritical. My opinion is for people to be realistic in this situation.
This is a big WASTE. I know their are some dog LOVERS. I like dogs they are OK. But come on. Some of these people who have opinions about this issue have so many skeletons it is pathetic. The only reason this is issue is because it is VICK (understatement, I know). If it was John Doe we would not hear about it.
I also think Vick should be playing. What has he done to not be on the field????? Remember these are ALLEGATIONS, this is not a CONVICTION. If 99% of us were fighting dogs and facing indictment I think we would be working. Why can't he play/work??????? Some will say it will be a PR nightmare, yeah SO WHAT!!! Would it be a PR nightmare if it was a ENGINEER at Ford, a operator on the line at GM??? It will be a PR nightmare when he comes back too.
The part that gets me is this will be all swept under the rub 6 months after his final day in a courtroom. Kids and Adults will wear his jersey (SEE KOBE), a shoe company will endorse him (SEE KOBE), he will play QB, make a lot of money (SEE KOBE), and LIVE.
BTW............Kobe's issue was worst and he has overcome it and we all are loving him like nothing happened but I bet some of you villafied him back then.
This story is just the flavor of the day (along with the NBA). There will be other stories about many other situations that will come out that take up our time too in the future.
Folks we are really, REALLY wasting energy because we all have very short memories and at the end of the day football fans will pay money to walk into FORD FIELD, GEORGIA DOME and all the other stadiums to see him play.
I just wish folks stop throwing rocks in their glass houses.............EVERYONE has done or will do something they are not happy with that has not come to the light.
BTW.............Where is all that PACMAN energy from a few weeks ago, did we forget???? Oh that's right he was the flavor of the day last month. He may take up some space in a few months when his case is heard
Posted at 11:43PM on Jul 25th 2007 by Marlon
10. Yep. I have to admit that when my 11 year old son doesn't go out and beat the hell out of the neighbor kids, that when he gets home, I spray him with water, shock him, throw his ass to the ground. "That'll teach him to not kick the hell out of the brat next door." I think next time, I'll hang him on the clothes line outside for not picking on the little girl down the street. I'm sure I'm not alone in my ideas of raising my kid to be a bully, fighter, or whatever.
Posted at 12:03AM on Jul 26th 2007 by Goods1969
11. Just listen to all of you! Have you forgotten that your innocent until proving guilt. This vick dog fighting circus rasie a lot of issues. Yes, dog fighting is not right. Do you think hunting for fun is? How about killing innocent animals for the shoes we wear, the fur to keep warm, the food we consume ect.? The millions of innocent turkeys for a holiday? How about the humane societies, that kill innocent dogs and cats everyday, because they can not find a home for them? How humane is that? Do this for me, drive pass your local humane society and take a look in the dumpter, thats brutality. Helpless and innocent animals. If this was some joe blow off the streets, this would not be that big of an issue, but its joe blow vick with money, status, and the E.T. news so he's all bad. Remeber this everytime you eat just think of how that animal was brutality killed before you swallow. Please people get the facts before jugding and if your in the position to judge, judge not one but all. Beileve me I do not agree with dog fighting, but I am asking all of you to sit back and wake up!
Posted at 12:14AM on Jul 26th 2007 by dp2044
12. Damn Micheal,
You would have been better off raping or killing than abusing dogs. People spend millions of dollars protecting animals when the homeless population continues to rise. F the people. Protect the animals.
I'm not saying what he is acused of doing is right, but let's keep things in perspective. They are animals people. What have you done for your fellow man lately?
Posted at 12:31AM on Jul 26th 2007 by The Doo
13. Comon peoiple,
Let's keep things in perspective. These are dogs, not people. I think Micheal would have had bettet treatment had he raped or murdered a person. I'm not saying dog fighting is o.k., just keep things in perspective and give to the needy people and stop spending millions on a whale the has lost it's way and can't find his way back to the ocean. W T F?
Posted at 12:42AM on Jul 26th 2007 by The Doo
14. Comon people,
Micheal would have been better off raping or murdering someone. Let keep some perspective here. Not to say dog fighting is o.k. but there are far worse crime out there. How many homeless people could have been helped with the money spent on rescuing the last wayward whale or other animal in distress. Fellow man first. We were given dominion over the animals, remember. No matter what you SPCA people say, it's still a dog.
Posted at 12:51AM on Jul 26th 2007 by The Doo
15. I can't believe someone on this blog has actually compared gambling with a bookie to gambling on a sadistic, inhumane activity that takes the term "animal cruelty" to a new and dreadful height! Even if you don't like dogs- how could a normal person condone this evil? Personally, I don't like cats. As a result, I don't own one. But it doesn't make me want to go out and kill them! Vick is the highest-paid player in the NFL (there are 1696 players in the league.) The man had the world in the palm of his hand. Millions loved to watch him play, including our fighting forces overseas. Now, if everything plays out like it seems it will, Mike will be leaving his home in Virginia for his new home- a prison cell, disgraced.
Posted at 1:04AM on Jul 26th 2007 by DavesRaves
16. Why would Deion even want to place himself in the middle of this circus?? He must have been out of the publics eye for too long so he thought he'd come back with a bang.
http://www.sportsnipe.com
Posted at 1:19AM on Jul 26th 2007 by SportSnipe.com
17. who's the guy that says "some of you treat your kids worst...."
"people have been fighting pit bulls for years.........??"
is this a joke.......??
is this guy kidding...........???
i bet this guy isn't good at holding hands, does not realy know how to kiss, and probably has a real fat rear end
Posted at 2:12AM on Jul 26th 2007 by francis Conway
18. ".....you treat your kids worse than that"
"fighting pit bulls for years........??"
is this guy kidding............................???
is it a joke...........................????
and really, what does he mean by "worst???"
is that like some special hot dog for badly beaten dogs.............
or maybe it's a vision into this guys way weird trip............
and also mispelled.......................
Posted at 2:22AM on Jul 26th 2007 by francis Conway
19. hEY gEORGE vIETO!!!!!! You are such a moron that any
of your offspring should be electrocuted and this world would be a way better place to live!!!!!!
Just because someone plays football does'nt mean
they are not scum to start...Deon is another shining example. Everytime I look at he toilet bowl and see the brown/black shit I took Vicks face appears.
Posted at 2:45AM on Jul 26th 2007 by Darwin
20.
Was Deion hanging out with Portis and Samuels when he wrote this?
Posted at 8:18AM on Jul 26th 2007 by SAN