Since bursting onto the NFL scene in 2001, Michael Vick has divided people with his talent and potential. There were folks that thought he would revolutionize the quarterback position as a strong armed, scrambling threat. There were others that thought he was nothing more than a running back lined up under center. Vick’s play didn’t help to settle the argument. He could stink it up for a few games and be amazing in others. He was never as good as the Vick lovers made him out to be, and never as bad as the haters claimed. Michael’s every move was seen as potential ammunition in the pro/anti Vick debate, and he was dealing arms to both sides. Unfortunately for MV, his enemies have the bomb, in the form of his plea agreement.

I’ve written about the Vick case from time to time, but I was trying to wait to see how things would truly develop. The plea deal means that the story is over for the time being, and that Michael Vick will be going to jail… Possibly for 3 years?!?! The things that he’s been accused of and will admit to are disgusting and ignorant. I’m not here to defend Michael Vick and his actions, but 3 years in jail or a lifetime ban from the NFL would be cruel and unusual. Six to twelve months in jail and a one year ban from the league seem fair to me when you keep things in perspective.

After reading the indictments and gathering all of the information I could over the past few months, here is what I have learned from Michael Vick’s predicament…

Hypocrisy Is Rampant: I don’t even know where to start. Some of the people that are advocating for animal rights want to kill Michael Vick. Johnathan Babineaux is still on the FALCONS roster and Qyntel Woods didn’t go to jail. The NFL might be more concerned with the gambling charges against Vick than the dogfighting charges. People hunt for sport and it goes on and on. The hypocrisy has been what’s bothered me the most. Especially in the case of Vick versus Babineaux. Killing dogs in the manner that the Bad Newz Kennel crew did is disgusting. What Johnathan Babineaux did is sinister… Using a hammer to kill a girlfriend’s dog because you’re mad at her might be a sign that you have problems. I could see that situation leading to domestic violence or worse… Which to me, would be a bigger crime than dogfighting, but a segment of our society believes…

Animals>People: If I’m ever in a LOST type of situation, I’m gonna pray that there’s no PETA members in the group. There’s no way I’m arguing about why we should eat fish instead of the pilot. Who isn’t wary of a person that would save an animal over a human in a life or death situation? And truthfully, most of this is about dogs rather than all animals. It’s easy to see why dogs want to be human’s bff. People got their dawgs’ back. Another form of animal pugilism, cockfighting, doesn’t get attention like this. Roy Jones Jr. only has to look out for Antonio Tarver and Glen Johnson not the Feds.

Michael Vick Is A Terrible Businessman: John Elway got into the car dealing business, Mo Vaughn’s helping low income families with housing issues, and Michael Vick goes into dogfighting. He could have done a million things with his millions, but he’s investing in a cotdamn dogfighting ring. What’s the ROI on a dogfighting enterprise? He could have started a record label like Willie McGinnest or rapped like Troy Hudson… Sure nobody’s heard Hudson’s album but he ain’t going to jail… Unless selling under 100 copies in your first week goes on the books.

Davon Boddie, Quanis Phillips, Purnell Peace, And Tony Taylor Are Snitches: Let’s keep it real for a minute. If criminal activity is your chosen profession, you still have a code of ethics. Rule Numero Uno: Never Snitch. Never… And you don’t cook the golden goose. That’s a violation and bad business. Extensive evidence aside, if these snitches had shut up and done their time, Mike would have gone on with his football life… And when the Four Tops got home, he woulda looked out for them. Greg Anderson went to jail for Barry Bonds, Kato Kailin kept his mouth shut for the Juice, and Lil Kim perjured herself for the homies. I guess she’s a real bitch… Sorta like the Falseto Four.

Race Always Plays A Role: Minorities (Blacks) get accused of playing the race card, but a racist never admits to being racist. Ever. Just one time I would like to see somebody come out and say, “I don’t care either way. I just hate Blacks”. Race plays a factor in the Vick scandal, at the minimum because of some blacks feeling that Michael Vick was taking so much punishment in the media and the court of public opinion that they felt compelled to take Vick’s side… And I’m confident that some of the people protesting Michael Vick were more upset by his race than his actions. I heard one clown ass local sports radio host say that Michael Vick needs to get rid of his Black friends. And when he was called on it, he said that it wasn’t a racist statement. He’s full of shit just like my homeboy that’s a Falcon fan. The brotha told me he would be supporting Joey Harrington or Matt Schaub the same way. Yeah right.

Michael Vick Will Get A Book Deal: Pete Rose, Martha Stewart, and Heidi Fleiss all did books after being in jail. This is a market that Vick has to tap in to. Especially since he might be forced to quit his day job. He’s gonna have plenty of time on his hands so he should be able to crank out “The 48 Laws Of Dogfighting”, “The 7 Habits Of People That Blow 100 Million Dollar Contracts”, or “Federal Prison: How Herpes Saved My Ass”, in no time.

Put Vick, other sports ‘crimes’ in perspective. Courtesy of The Gainesville Times

Active Animal Cruelty Charge, Active On The Roster. Courtesy of Leave The Man Alone

NBAer Avoided Jail Time After Dogfighting Charges. Courtesy of Sports By Brooks