The sad, twisted and sick secret life of Michael Vick

According to a federal indictment issued on July 17, Michael Vick, star quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, has been competing throughout the off-season by participating in illegal dog fighting. This is the type of story that could affect readers in a number of ways. If you look at these allegations strictly as a football analyst, this might not be too big of a deal. Vick’s ability to play hasn’t been affected, and dogs are just dumb animals, right? Maybe, but if you are an animal lover, the allegations are despicable.
The recently released indictment document alleges that Vick and three others ran a dogfighting group, called “Bad Newz” Kennels, in buildings on property owned by Vick in Smithfield, Va. On June 4, Sports Illustrated ran a story reporting the condition of this property when federal investigators initially found evidence of dog fighting. According to that article, on the property there is a big white building that looks like a nice, normal, residential home. However, behind that house, hidden from the road, there are a number of buildings, all painted jet black in an alleged attempt to hide the buildings from sight. It was in those buildings on Vick’s property that investigators allegedly found more than 30 dogs, many of whom showed signs of participation in dog fights (wounds on the face, ears or front legs).
In interviews, Vick has claimed innocence, saying that he let relatives live at the home and therefore, he had no control over their actions. But, in the indictment, Vick (also known as “Ookie,” according to the document) was in attendance during a litany of documented fights.
In fact, the document alleges that Vick was on hand when many of the animals were killed, most by gunshots fired by one of Vick’s three alleged associates. I’ll spare you the detailed accounts of the fates that other dogs allegedly suffered at the hands of these men, but events listed in the indictment are truly deplorable.
The real story is the fact that this isn’t an isolated issue. The Sports Illustrated story points out many other athletes who have been arrested for their personal involvement in dog fighting. Athletes such as former NFL running back LeShon Johnson, former Dallas Cowboy Nate Newton and former NBA player Qyntel Woods all ran into problems with the law due to their involvement in the “sport.”
Maybe these athletes are used to being so competitive in their lives that they feel some need to be competitive with their pets. But, if that is true, why the need for so many dogs? Wouldn’t one dog be enough to be proud of? And if they take pride in these “pets,” why the accounts of horrific treatment and murder of the animals?
I just don’t understand. Vick is a highly paid athlete. With his ability, wealth and youth (he’s only 26 years old), he could be enjoying so many wonderful things in life. But instead he is accused of using a violent means to get enjoyment out of life, and it is hard to fathom.
The shame is that actions like this take the focus off of the good that the spotlight of sports stardom can bring. For example, instead of running some illegal venture, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb runs the DM5 Foundation, a non-profit organization aimed at fighting diabetes. In fact, to celebrate his efforts, in 2006 McNabb was awarded the Eagles Man of the Year award for his work in the community.
But, this example is just a look at what a different quarterback has done. Many athletes from all sports do incredible and worthwhile things to give back to the community. It’s a shame the actions of an alleged dog abuser like Vick can cast such a shadow on an industry where so many do so much for others.