Vick: A coward to the end
Vick did what cowards do
By Jeff Schultz | Friday, August 24, 2007, 06:03 PM
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
A coward to the end.
He won't directly say he killed dogs. He will admit to heading a group of degenerates when dogs were killed. Does somebody award points for semantics? "Ookie" tells "T" or "Q" or "P-Funk" to "Drown the dog," but he keeps his hands in his pockets. Is this the Vito Corleone defense?
A coward to the end.
He won't admit to gambling on dogfights. But he'll admit to funding an illegal business enterprise that gambles. Well, that should appease NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Because I'm sure if "Bad Newz Kennels" ever accumulated significant gambling debts, a bookie would pressure "T" or "Q" or "P Funk" - not the NFL player with the $130 million contract who gave the money to "T" or "Q" or "P-Funk."
How does this happen? How can somebody we admired for his courage on the field turn into such an invertebrate off it?
He runs in games. Did he have to run in the real world? Is it that difficult to admit guilt and say, "It's my fault. Everything."
We are, by nature, forgiving. We embrace the comeback. We want people to overcome obstacles, shed their baggage, become whole again.
This we shouldn't forgive. First, we need to see remorse. Michael Vick hides behind attorneys like an offensive line. If only he had hid that well as a Falcons quarterback, he never would've been sacked.
He doesn't care about the truth. He cares about exact wording in legal PDFs.
He doesn't care about accepting responsibility. He cares about limiting blame.
If he feels anything, he doesn't show it. It's only obvious that he's sorry he got caught. That doesn't count. That's pathetic. He's pathetic. Vick doesn't need a 12-step program for healing. He needs a conscience.
When will he realize that he did something wrong? When he's lying in a cell, wide awake at 2 a.m.? When he's scrubbing a floor or washing dishes for 12 cents an hour? Maybe while he's under house arrest, walking around with an ankle bracelet?
Try avoiding the rush with that, big guy. There's your new Michael Vick Experience.
This is not how people with character defects should begin rehabilitation. This is not how to repair an image or damaged career aspirations.
Come clean on everything. Express sorrow, contrition - then we'll talk.
Vick did what cowards do. He not only hid behind some legalese, he agreed to cooperate with the government in turning in others. Maybe you view that as being a team player. But there's another view: There goes the street cred.
Page 5 of the plea agreement reads: "The defendant agrees to cooperate fully and truthfully with the United States, and provide all information known to the defendant regarding any criminal activity as requested by the government." It states this includes testimony at grand juries and trials. Vick also must submit to a polygraph test at the whim of the government.
Nobody agrees to such mandates unless they're backed to the edge of a cliff, with the cavalry approaching. So why not just come completely clean? At least he would look like he cared.
I can't imagine the hundreds of thousands of dollars Vick will have paid attorneys when this is over. I hope the verbiage was worth it.
We knew he struggled to read defenses. Turns out he can't read an offense, either. The story broke in April in Surry County, Va. Vick's reaction: "I'm never at the house. I left the house with my family members and my cousin. They just haven't been doing the right thing. . It's unfortunate I have to take the heat behind it."
He thought it would go away, of course, like a disappearing water bottle incident. He goofed. Had he settled things with Virginia authorities, maybe the "United States vs. Michael Vick, a/k/a `Ookie' " never happens.
Then officials dug up the yard at 1915 Moonlight Road. They found dog corpses. Vick still thought, "I can't be tied to this." The lying continued. Vick's fan base screamed racism or warnings about the Duke case revisited.
Then it fell apart. "T" and "Q" and "P-Funk" rolled on him. Suddenly, Vick was the last man standing. The last coward standing.
Maybe one day he'll step to a microphone and express remorse. But we're past the point of trust. Repentance needs to be wired to a polygraph.
Permalink | | Categories: Falcons / NFL, Jeff Schultz
By Jeff Schultz | Friday, August 24, 2007, 06:03 PM
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
A coward to the end.
He won't directly say he killed dogs. He will admit to heading a group of degenerates when dogs were killed. Does somebody award points for semantics? "Ookie" tells "T" or "Q" or "P-Funk" to "Drown the dog," but he keeps his hands in his pockets. Is this the Vito Corleone defense?
A coward to the end.
He won't admit to gambling on dogfights. But he'll admit to funding an illegal business enterprise that gambles. Well, that should appease NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Because I'm sure if "Bad Newz Kennels" ever accumulated significant gambling debts, a bookie would pressure "T" or "Q" or "P Funk" - not the NFL player with the $130 million contract who gave the money to "T" or "Q" or "P-Funk."
How does this happen? How can somebody we admired for his courage on the field turn into such an invertebrate off it?
He runs in games. Did he have to run in the real world? Is it that difficult to admit guilt and say, "It's my fault. Everything."
We are, by nature, forgiving. We embrace the comeback. We want people to overcome obstacles, shed their baggage, become whole again.
This we shouldn't forgive. First, we need to see remorse. Michael Vick hides behind attorneys like an offensive line. If only he had hid that well as a Falcons quarterback, he never would've been sacked.
He doesn't care about the truth. He cares about exact wording in legal PDFs.
He doesn't care about accepting responsibility. He cares about limiting blame.
If he feels anything, he doesn't show it. It's only obvious that he's sorry he got caught. That doesn't count. That's pathetic. He's pathetic. Vick doesn't need a 12-step program for healing. He needs a conscience.
When will he realize that he did something wrong? When he's lying in a cell, wide awake at 2 a.m.? When he's scrubbing a floor or washing dishes for 12 cents an hour? Maybe while he's under house arrest, walking around with an ankle bracelet?
Try avoiding the rush with that, big guy. There's your new Michael Vick Experience.
This is not how people with character defects should begin rehabilitation. This is not how to repair an image or damaged career aspirations.
Come clean on everything. Express sorrow, contrition - then we'll talk.
Vick did what cowards do. He not only hid behind some legalese, he agreed to cooperate with the government in turning in others. Maybe you view that as being a team player. But there's another view: There goes the street cred.
Page 5 of the plea agreement reads: "The defendant agrees to cooperate fully and truthfully with the United States, and provide all information known to the defendant regarding any criminal activity as requested by the government." It states this includes testimony at grand juries and trials. Vick also must submit to a polygraph test at the whim of the government.
Nobody agrees to such mandates unless they're backed to the edge of a cliff, with the cavalry approaching. So why not just come completely clean? At least he would look like he cared.
I can't imagine the hundreds of thousands of dollars Vick will have paid attorneys when this is over. I hope the verbiage was worth it.
We knew he struggled to read defenses. Turns out he can't read an offense, either. The story broke in April in Surry County, Va. Vick's reaction: "I'm never at the house. I left the house with my family members and my cousin. They just haven't been doing the right thing. . It's unfortunate I have to take the heat behind it."
He thought it would go away, of course, like a disappearing water bottle incident. He goofed. Had he settled things with Virginia authorities, maybe the "United States vs. Michael Vick, a/k/a `Ookie' " never happens.
Then officials dug up the yard at 1915 Moonlight Road. They found dog corpses. Vick still thought, "I can't be tied to this." The lying continued. Vick's fan base screamed racism or warnings about the Duke case revisited.
Then it fell apart. "T" and "Q" and "P-Funk" rolled on him. Suddenly, Vick was the last man standing. The last coward standing.
Maybe one day he'll step to a microphone and express remorse. But we're past the point of trust. Repentance needs to be wired to a polygraph.
Permalink | | Categories: Falcons / NFL, Jeff Schultz
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Well he wanted to dress like a thug, talk like a thug and act and smell like a thug. I guess now he became a thug. Your right allen, he is only sorry that he got caught. 0 -
He's washed up for now. See if prison gets him any fetchin up. 0 -
"Repentance needs to be wired to a polygraph".
This would be cool.... it would be even better if the lie indicator sends 20,000 volts for a little 60 second shock treatment!!!0 -
quote:Originally posted by cartod
He's washed up for now. See if prison gets him any fetchin up.
After two year in the pokey I predict that Vick will be that greatest QB in history.... for he will aquire the most needed abiltiy that a QB could ever wish for....Eyes in the back of his head!!!!0 -
...Scumbag multi-millionaire. The trash has now been kicked to the curb [^]
...I wonder if this episode null and voids his most recent contract?...the present suspension is with out pay.
I suspect after the NFL (and maybe the state) get thru with him, I doubt and hope he never plays again...[;)]
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quote:Originally posted by royc38
Well he wanted to dress like a thug, talk like a thug and act and smell like a thug. I guess now he became a thug. Your right allen, he is only sorry that he got caught.
I agree. But I also think it's human nature to attempt for the best possible outcome when facing punishment.
Perhaps admitting everything and throwing himself on the mercy of the court would've gone along way towards appeasing the public to the nature of Vic's remorse and sincerity.
But in a legal sense, would it have been his best move career wise?
No one wants to be in prison any longer than they have to. And Vic probably hopes he has a Pro Football career to return to. One that in the best of circumstances has a short lifespan.
So his mindset is almost certainly to get out of jail and back to football as quickly as possible. But will football take him back?0 -
I really think in Vick's case a full and complete confession would have been better for him!!! It gives the WTH was I thinking defense a lot of weight!!!
Getting caught in a lie now, Ain't a good thing IMO!!!!0 -
Another example of the type of "role models" that professional athletes provide for our kids. While many are honest, truthful, hard-working, good role models, a few are rotten apples. Too many are sinfully overpaid (like some other types of performers) and think that the rules do not apply to them. Professional sports should ban their types at the drop of a hat, regardless of their proweress on the field or on the court. Cannot refrain from remembering Tom Landry back in the good old days. He would not put up with today's players. Just MY humble opinion. 0 -
A little known fact:
Bill Clinton was an advisor to the defense team.
Signed,
Cliff0 -
quote:Originally posted by cbxjeff
A little known fact:
Bill Clinton was an advisor to the defense team.
Signed,
Cliff
Got a link for this?0 -
Savages will be savages no matter how much money or fame they have. 0 -
[^]quote:Originally posted by allen griggs
Vick: A coward to the end
You nailed that one Allen![;)]
Does any NFL team, coach or owner believe this man has the leadership to play Quarterback anywhere in the NFL again? I hope not.[:0]0 -
Ops, sorry I should have used the last name also ... Claven! 0 -
quote:Originally posted by cbxjeff
Ops, sorry I should have used the last name also ... Claven!
[:D]0
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