ecnaj143

American Football: Vick charged with staging dogfightings


The career of Michael Vick, one of the National Football League's biggest stars, was in the balance yesterday after he was charged with running an illegal dogfighting ring. If convicted, the Atlanta Falcons quarterback faces up to six years in jail and a $350,000 (?170,000) fine, as well as severe disciplinary action from the NFL.

According to an 18-page grand jury indictment, Vick and three associates ran their operation, known as the "Bad Newz Kennels", out of a house bought by Vick in rural south-eastern Virginia in 2001. There investigators earlier this year found live fighting dogs, equipment used for dogfighting, a bloodstained carpet as well as the remains of several animals.

Apart from organising the dogfights - a crime in all but two of the 50 US states - the NFL player is said to have taken part in the execution of "approximately eight" dogs in April 2007 after they had performed poorly in test fights. One was allegedly doused with water and electrocuted. Others were killed "by various methods, including hanging, drowning, and slamming at least one dog's body into the ground," the indictment said.

An NFL spokesman yesterday described the practices outlined in the charges as "cruel, degrading and illegal", but appealed to fans to withhold judgement on Vick until a court passes its verdict. Even if he is acquitted, however, the player is likely to be punished by the League, which has already imposed long suspensions on players involved in repeated brushes with the law, in a bid to improve its tarnished off-field image.

The NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has already unprecedentedly banned Adam "Pacman" Jones, a cornerback for the Tennessee Titans, for the entire 2007 season after 10 incidents in which he was interviewed by police, while two other NFL players have been given eight-game, half-season suspensions.

None, however, is anywhere near as celebrated as the elusive and lightning-fast Vick, one of the League's most exciting players and holder of several quarterback rushing records.

The indictment, moreover, comes only six weeks before the start of the 2007 season. Vick, in the midst of a 10-year $137m (?66.7m) contract, is the highest paid player in the history of the NFL . He is due to start pre-season training with the Falcons next week. In a statement the team apologised that one of its players was "being presented to the public in a negative way".

If convicted, what do you think should happen to him??

armadillo

OMG. I've never heard of the guy but that sounds pretty incriminating. I wonder what 2 states they are (the ones that allow dog fighting).

ecnaj143

Dog fighting is illegal in all states. According to the indictment, he fought dogs in all but 2 states.

sick-lid boy

This is great news! My Vikings face the Falcons in week one. Be real nice to have Vick's butt suspended

ecnaj143

Well, my Falcons will still kick the Vikings butts with joey Harrington (even tho I would rather have DJ Shockley)

sick-lid boy

HAHA!! Have you checked out Harrington's track record vs. the Vikes? VIKINGS PWN JOEY!!!

ecnaj143

I know, I know. Thats why I would rather have Shockley!!!

COBettaCouple

Vick only fought dogs at that location. As of 2007, dog fighting is a felony in 48 states and a misdemeanor in Idaho and Wyoming. In most states, it is against the law to even attend a dog fighting event, regardless of direct participation. According to authorities, dog fighting is increasingly practiced by gangs. Given that the Vicks are pretty much overrated, talentless, overhyped thugs - i'm with the majority of espn voters who aren't surprised by Vick being indicted and feel he's guilty and will be convicted - even though i think he might have enough money to buy his way out of this. remember in america, you don't have to be innocent, just rich.

if he is convicted, i think he should be jailed for as long as regular people like you & me would be and not the usual few months in a prison resembling a fancy hotel that the rich & famous get.. and his cellmate should be a really ed-off pitbull like the ones he tortured and killed.

ecnaj143

Until he's convicted or not, what do you think the NFL should do?

COBettaCouple

i think the NFL can't do anything until his court date for legal reasons, but i'd expect him to be out for the season at least. i'd like to see him kicked out of the NFL for good.

ecnaj143

From what I heard on the radio, I dunno if its true or not, but close to 300 NFL players are involved in dogfighting. I just don't understand what the thrill is of watching 2 animals fight to the death!!!

COBettaCouple

nothing like that on espn although there is another player up for killing his girlfriends dog, but there are plenty of thugs in professional sports so i'd not be surprised to find others involved in the same .

ecnaj143

I was wondering, if Vick fought Bettas instead of dogs. Would it have been this big of a deal??

armadillo

Well then don't ever type betta in youtube. It's sick

armadillo

They do fight bettas. It's actually this really big event in Thailand (and sadly very frequent event on youtube).

Guzalot

Nothing. Let due process take it's course. If he's convicted, which seems likely, he should be banned for life. Now the Falcons organization (his team, for those not familiar with the sport) on the other hand has much more at stake. I just don't see how he can an effective QB this year. If I'm the owner, I cut him and take the salary cap hit and start looking for a long term QB in next years draft or via free agency. Harrington (the backup QB) can hold down the fort in the meantime.

sick-lid boy

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell seems to be very strict on player conduct (or misconduct, as the case may be). I can't see Vick getting out of this without a lengthy suspension at the very least. More likely is that we have seen Vick play his last game in the NFL.

COBettaCouple

i hope so.. not that he ever really did a lot for his team. but he's never been a leader and is mostly hype. i never saw the talent to back it up. i doubt the falcons really will miss him.. they can miss the playoffs just as easy without him.