The problem with sports fans....

[34inXXIII]

Maybe it's just me, but I find this excerpt from a FOX Sports story (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7159406?MSNHPHMA) really disturbing....
Michael Vick pleaded guilty Monday to a federal dogfighting charge and awaited a Dec. 10 sentencing date that could send the NFL star to prison. The quarterback arrived at the federal courthouse in a sport utility vehicle Monday and walked into court flanked by his attorneys. His supporters erupted in a roaring cheer drowning out his opponents, silently holding signs.
The guy is entering the courthouse to admit to charges involving dogfighting, illegal gambling and executing dogs, and he's being cheered as he enters the building?!? There's no better proof too many people in this society equate athletes to gods. All that matters is their performance on the field.

It's just sad when fanaticism overrides logic and common decency.

[/soapbox]

[bengalsfan4ever]

Maybe it's just me, but I find this excerpt from a FOX Sports story (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7159406?MSNHPHMA) really disturbing....

The guy is entering the courthouse to admit to charges involving dogfighting, illegal gambling and executing dogs, and he's being cheered as he enters the building?!? There's no better proof too many people in this society equate athletes to gods. All that matters is their performance on the field.

It's just sad when fanaticism overrides logic and common decency.

[/soapbox]

Oh geez whats wrong with these people?

He is no longer mike vick the football player he is a con\/ick

[doctorhook18]

Maybe it's just me, but I find this excerpt from a FOX Sports story (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7159406?MSNHPHMA) really disturbing....

The guy is entering the courthouse to admit to charges involving dogfighting, illegal gambling and executing dogs, and he's being cheered as he enters the building?!? There's no better proof too many people in this society equate athletes to gods. All that matters is their performance on the field.

It's just sad when fanaticism overrides logic and common decency.

[/soapbox]

Un-freaking-believable!

Watching outside the lines and the sports reporters on ESPN yesterday morning, the people who are supporting Michael Vick seem to not address his crimes, but make it a racial issue. (Of course...it would have to be! Freakin' low lifes!)

I've got 4 words for that dude: DON'T DROP THE SOAP!

[twiztdperson]

Maybe it's just me, but I find this excerpt from a FOX Sports story (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7159406?MSNHPHMA) really disturbing....

The guy is entering the courthouse to admit to charges involving dogfighting, illegal gambling and executing dogs, and he's being cheered as he enters the building?!? There's no better proof too many people in this society equate athletes to gods. All that matters is their performance on the field.

It's just sad when fanaticism overrides logic and common decency.

[/soapbox]

I will never understand how they could cheer for a man that did something so brutal and disgusting.

[BengalBubbs81]

Uh yea. This unfortunately is a very big racial issue at least in the south. It is being viewed as another incident of "the man" sticking it to a successful black athlete. I don't think the Vick support is nearly as much fanaticism as it is about the color of his skin.

[Steely_J]

I will never understand how they could cheer for a man that did something so brutal and disgusting.

Same reason why OJ still had supporters after his trial... they don't want to see the evil in what he did. They want to be fans.

It's kinda sad.

Ever since this story broke I thought how devastating "as a fan" it would be if my favorite player was guilty of such a gross crime.

[Captain Obvious]

Same reason why OJ still had supporters after his trial... they don't want to see the evil in what he did. They want to be fans.

It's kinda sad.

Ever since this story broke I thought how devastating "as a fan" it would be if my favorite player was guilty of such a gross crime.

I know what you mean. As much as I like Kordell Stewart, if he was caught doing this, first off people would say "Kordell who?" Then I would stop being a fan of his. The same with Troy. If Troy did something like that, I wouldn't like him either. I don't see how people could be a fan of someone like that after what he did.

[34inXXIII]

Uh yea. This unfortunately is a very big racial issue at least in the south. It is being viewed as another incident of "the man" sticking it to a successful black athlete. I don't think the Vick support is nearly as much fanaticism as it is about the color of his skin.
Excellent point, Bubbs. I may have been way off on my classification of these individuals. I did hear from Micheal Wilbon on ESPN Radio that some supporters out there were from local churches and singing "We will overcome" (which I don't understand either....what the **** do they have to overcome here?).
Same reason why OJ still had supporters after his trial... they don't want to see the evil in what he did. They want to be fans.

It's kinda sad.

Ever since this story broke I thought how devastating "as a fan" it would be if my favorite player was guilty of such a gross crime.
I've been through something like this actually, albeit not quite to this extent. While Pete Rose wasn't accused of some of the heinous things Vick is guilty of, he's not exactly a saint either. I supported him blindly against accusation of betting on baseball. I was one of those people I criticized so harshly at the start of this thread. I eventually saw the error of my ways, as evidenced by my posts in this thread (http://boards.bengals.com/showthread.php?t=1338) elsewhere on this forum.

Considering what Vick has done and now that OJ has been entered into this discussion, it makes you wonder just what someone has to do to finally lose such support.

[The Bat]

I know what you mean. As much as I like Kordell Stewart, if he was caught doing this, first off people would say "Kordell who?" Then I would stop being a fan of his. The same with Troy. If Troy did something like that, I wouldn't like him either. I don't see how people could be a fan of someone like that after what he did.
Who?

Maybe it's just me, but I find this excerpt from a FOX Sports story (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7159406?MSNHPHMA) really disturbing....

The guy is entering the courthouse to admit to charges involving dogfighting, illegal gambling and executing dogs, and he's being cheered as he enters the building?!? There's no better proof too many people in this society equate athletes to gods. All that matters is their performance on the field.

It's just sad when fanaticism overrides logic and common decency.

[/soapbox]
The same kind of people who would cheer at a dog fight? I wonder...

[BengalBubbs81]

Excellent point, Bubbs. I may have been way off on my classification of these individuals. I did hear from Micheal Wilbon on ESPN Radio that some supporters out there were from local churches and singing "We will overcome" (which I don't understand either....what the **** do they have to overcome here?).

I've been through something like this actually, albeit not quite to this extent. While Pete Rose wasn't accused of some of the heinous things Vick is guilty of, he's not exactly a saint either. I supported him blindly against accusation of betting on baseball. I was one of those people I criticized so harshly at the start of this thread. I eventually saw the error of my ways, as evidenced by my posts in this thread (http://boards.bengals.com/showthread.php?t=1338) elsewhere on this forum.

Considering what Vick has done and now that OJ has been entered into this discussion, it makes you wonder just what someone has to do to finally lose such support.

I agree 34. I really don't see the race issue here. He committed a felony & admits to it. From what I have been reading though, his supporters were backing him because the law was going after another successful black athlete & a lot of negativity was going around the media when he was still innocent until proven guilty. Now even though he admits to it, they now feel he is being persecuted instead of prosecuted.....Other players in the NFL have done worse but still playing, etc, etc, etc. They are not taking into account that Goodell wasnt the sheriff then.

I have never been a Vick fan but I think he needs to serve his sentence and whatever suspension the NFL gives him & then he should have a chance to play again if he meets all necessary conditions for reinstatement.

[34inXXIII]

Here's another aspect that bothers me....
http://assets.espn.go.com/photo/2007/0827/nfl_u_signs_412.jpg
This certainly isn't something limited to this situation but many protests or many issues: people using their kids for sympathy to support their causes.

Besides, a mistake is shamelessly using your kids when they're not able to think for themselves on the issues they are forced to promote. What Vick did was a crime.

[Carson4mvp]

Here's another aspect that bothers me....
http://assets.espn.go.com/photo/2007/0827/nfl_u_signs_412.jpg
This certainly isn't something limited to this situation but many protests or many issues: people using their kids for sympathy to support their causes.

Besides, a mistake is shamelessly using your kids when they're not able to think for themselves on the issues they are forced to promote. What Vick did was a crime.


that is wrong putting there kids in that position like you said Vick did the Crime now he has to do the Time

[The Bat]

Here's another aspect that bothers me....
http://assets.espn.go.com/photo/2007/0827/nfl_u_signs_412.jpg
This certainly isn't something limited to this situation but many protests or many issues: people using their kids for sympathy to support their causes.

Besides, a mistake is shamelessly using your kids when they're not able to think for themselves on the issues they are forced to promote. What Vick did was a crime.

Don't even get me going about Peta... They could care less but those dogs. Just another PAC with an axe to grind.

[Steely_J]

Here's another aspect that bothers me....
http://assets.espn.go.com/photo/2007/0827/nfl_u_signs_412.jpg
This certainly isn't something limited to this situation but many protests or many issues: people using their kids for sympathy to support their causes.

Besides, a mistake is shamelessly using your kids when they're not able to think for themselves on the issues they are forced to promote. What Vick did was a crime.

I couldn't agree more. My wife and I said the samee thing as we watched Vick's appology during halftime tonight.

Particulary the shot of the little kid - 4, 5years old.. wearing a "Vick makes me Sick" T-Shirt. Like that kid has a clue what's going on or a real opinion on the subject. These protesters are using their own kids as billboards, and that's pretty messed up itself.

What the heck are these people doing out protesting anyway? Is that really needed? Don't they have jobs to go to? A life of their own? Must they try to make themselves feel more important by leaching off Vicks press and getting a picture of their mug on TV looking "oh so shocked!"

It's sad and stupid.

[Steely_J]

Don't even get me going about Peta... They could care less but those dogs. Just another PAC with an axe to grind.

Hahaha... totally. PETA has been using Vicks press to sell T Shirts on their website from day 1...

My wife is a Vet and has PLENTY of Peta horror stories... it's amazing how much damage they actually cause to animals with their ignorant understanding of animal health.

[The Bat]

Hahaha... totally. PETA has been using Vicks press to sell T Shirts on their website from day 1...

My wife is a Vet and has PLENTY of Peta horror stories... it's amazing how much damage they actually cause to animals with their ignorant understanding of animal health.
Very true.. tell your wife thanks for being a Vet. As the owner of 3 dogs (1 a Pit Bull) I appreciate them!

[BamBamRubble]

Hey! This looks like a fun sport....

I've got 10 -1 odds on the guy with the club. Any takers?

http://i14.tinypic.com/68k031z.jpg

[34inXXIII]

Hey! This looks like a fun sport....

I've got 10 -1 odds on the guy with the club. Any takers?

http://i14.tinypic.com/68k031z.jpg
If I had a child, I'd use him to protest that post.

[Whatever]

Some people are just blind when it comes to their teams and heros,and nobody's a bigger hero in the "dirty south" than Michael Vick was. People live vicariously through the guy. They don't want to admit he's a criminal. But people are so blind to reason,they can even understand when the facts are right in front of their faces. There's still people out there that think OJ's innocent. Heck,there's morons out there that think Chris Benoit was framed by Vince McMahon! People today become so emotionally invested in,"Vick the Athlete" or "Vick the Celebrity" that they become blind to the fact that Vick the person isn't the same guy he portrays in public.

That said,Vick should do his time,and he should eventually have his chance to return to the NFL. Can anybody really say what he's done is more or less criminal than the actions of PacMan,Tank,or Henry? Heck,Leonard Little KILLED someone in a DUI in '98 and got 8 games.

All in all,Vick will become a better person out of this...and probably a better QB,too. He should come out of prison with stronger arms and walking bow-legged so he can't run anymore.

[Joe from Florence]

Uh yea. This unfortunately is a very big racial issue at least in the south. It is being viewed as another incident of "the man" sticking it to a successful black athlete. I don't think the Vick support is nearly as much fanaticism as it is about the color of his skin.
The Man stuck it to my wife last night!!!!! :what:

[34inXXIII]

The Man stuck it to my wife last night!!!!! :what:
Tell him I said "Congrats!" :)

[philhos]

Tell him I said "Congrats!" :)

Thanks! It's always nice to hear something like that when you're really, really, REALLY good at what you do. ;)

[Steely_J]

Very true.. tell your wife thanks for being a Vet. As the owner of 3 dogs (1 a Pit Bull) I appreciate them!


No prob Bat! ;) Thanks.

[Rayne]

Maybe it's just me, but I find this excerpt from a FOX Sports story (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7159406?MSNHPHMA) really disturbing....

The guy is entering the courthouse to admit to charges involving dogfighting, illegal gambling and executing dogs, and he's being cheered as he enters the building?!? There's no better proof too many people in this society equate athletes to gods. All that matters is their performance on the field.

It's just sad when fanaticism overrides logic and common decency.

[/soapbox]

Goes deeper than that, 34. They were holding signs proclaiming that Vick was a Christian and should therefore be let go. No charges. Free Michael Vick.

I'm SO tired of people who have not lead religious lives, hiding behind it when they get in trouble. If he was such a Christian, he wouldn't have killed dogs.

What's worse were the comments by that bleeding heart, tree hugging, sandal recycling liberal Keith Olbermanananananan....who says that Vick is somewhat the victim in all this, and the worse you think he is for doing this, the more you should want to see him back in the NFL.

Nope. Goes against my logic....the worse the crime, the more severe the punishment.

Personally, if he wants to play football again - he can try the CFL or arena leagues. He should never be allowed to play in the NFL again.

Playing here is a priveledge - that most of us never get - not a right. Some of these guys need to learn that. I think Henry has.

He's kept his nose clean and I'm glad - I'm looking forward to seeing him on the field when he returns. But Vick should be banned from the NFL forever.

[The Bat]

Goes deeper than that, 34. They were holding signs proclaiming that Vick was a Christian and should therefore be let go. No charges. Free Michael Vick.

I'm SO tired of people who have not lead religious lives, hiding behind it when they get in trouble. If he was such a Christian, he wouldn't have killed dogs.

What's worse were the comments by that bleeding heart, tree hugging, sandal recycling liberal Keith Olbermanananananan....who says that Vick is somewhat the victim in all this, and the worse you think he is for doing this, the more you should want to see him back in the NFL.

Nope. Goes against my logic....the worse the crime, the more severe the punishment.

Personally, if he wants to play football again - he can try the CFL or arena leagues. He should never be allowed to play in the NFL again.

Playing here is a priveledge - that most of us never get - not a right. Some of these guys need to learn that. I think Henry has.

He's kept his nose clean and I'm glad - I'm looking forward to seeing him on the field when he returns. But Vick should be banned from the NFL forever.

So absolutely no shot at redemption? Seems kinda harsh. I know I've been given 2nd chances in my life and have made the best of them. Keep in mind I am not condoning ANYTHING that Vick has done.

Now do I think Roger Goodell will let him back in? Only time will tell but my guess is no.

[Rayne]

So absolutely no shot at redemption? Seems kinda harsh. I know I've been given 2nd chances in my life and have made the best of them. Keep in mind I am not condoning ANYTHING that Vick has done.

Now do I think Roger Goodell will let him back in? Only time will tell but my guess is no.

Sure, he can redeem himself - just not in the NFL.

There are guys that would give up a testicle to be in the league, and Vick just blew his opportunity away. For what? Something bone headed like dog fighting?

Let him play in the CFL or arena leagues - but the chance to play in the NFL should never be offered again.

[Steely_J]

Goes deeper than that, 34. They were holding signs proclaiming that Vick was a Christian and should therefore be let go. No charges. Free Michael Vick.

I'm SO tired of people who have not lead religious lives, hiding behind it when they get in trouble. If he was such a Christian, he wouldn't have killed dogs.

What's worse were the comments by that bleeding heart, tree hugging, sandal recycling liberal Keith Olbermanananananan....who says that Vick is somewhat the victim in all this, and the worse you think he is for doing this, the more you should want to see him back in the NFL.

Nope. Goes against my logic....the worse the crime, the more severe the punishment.

Personally, if he wants to play football again - he can try the CFL or arena leagues. He should never be allowed to play in the NFL again.

Playing here is a priveledge - that most of us never get - not a right. Some of these guys need to learn that. I think Henry has.

He's kept his nose clean and I'm glad - I'm looking forward to seeing him on the field when he returns. But Vick should be banned from the NFL forever.

I agree. I think they should just bite the bullet on this one, and ban him from the NFL. I saw his apology and I thought it was very heartfelt and sincere... but he messed up. He messed up big time and he's gotta pay the price for it.

If Vick is banned from the NFL, it will send the ultimate message to the rest of the NFLPA. Some behavior is not tolerated. There was talk of other NFL players involved with Dog Fighting. If they see Vick being banned, then they may get scared into getting out of dog fighting as well. If anything it would spare some dogs of being forced into a deadly game.

[The Bat]

I agree. I think they should just bite the bullet on this one, and ban him from the NFL. I saw his apology and I thought it was very heartfelt and sincere... but he messed up. He messed up big time and he's gotta pay the price for it.

If Vick is banned from the NFL, it will send the ultimate message to the rest of the NFLPA. Some behavior is not tolerated. There was talk of other NFL players involved with Dog Fighting. If they see Vick being banned, then they may get scared into getting out of dog fighting as well. If anything it would spare some dogs of being forced into a deadly game.
It seems as if the current "indefinite" suspension should be sending the same message, and if it doesn't then these guys are pretty thick...

[Steely_J]

It seems as if the current "indefinite" suspension should be sending the same message, and if it doesn't then these guys are pretty thick...

True.. but you gotta wonder how dumb they were in the first place to think they could get away with participating in felon activities and not get arrested/banned/fined.

[The Bat]

True.. but you gotta wonder how dumb they were in the first place to think they could get away with participating in felon activities and not get arrested/banned/fined.
So there is no hope...