Bill Swerski Posted July 26, 2007 Share Posted July 26, 2007 My apologies if this has already been posted. From the Southwest Florida News-Press... Don’t be too quick to judgeBy Deion Sanders Originally published on July 22, 2007 I would’ve never thought Mike Vick, one of the NFL’s most exciting players — the man who makes the network execs smile every time he plays — would ever be indicted for crimes against man’s best friend. The potential impact could be devastating. He could lose millions worth of endorsements. crappy shoes from spammers has already suspended the release of his new shoe. He could lose millions he was supposed to get from the Atlanta Falcons, if the club decides to cut him. That’s unlikely, but it could happen if he’s convicted or makes a plea arrangement. Or his reputation might wind up so stained that he’s never forgiven in the court of public opinion. That would be too bad for the 27-year-old superstar. This is all the result of perspective. What a dog means to Vick might be a lot different than what he means to you or I. Hold on, don’t start shaking your head just yet. Listen to me. Some people kiss their dogs on the mouth. Some people let their dogs eat from their plate. Some people dress their dogs in suits more expensive than mine, if you can believe that. And some people enjoy proving they have the biggest, toughest dog on the street. You’re probably not going to believe this, but I bet Vick loves the dogs that were the biggest and the baddest. Maybe, he identified with them in some way. You can still choose to condemn him, but I’m trying to take you inside his mind so you can understand where he might be coming from. I’m sure all of the animal activists and Humane Society folks have a dart board with Vick’s picture in the center of it. And if he plays this season, PETA is going to picket every stadium where he plays. Still, I must ask the question: Where is all of this going? By now you’ve read all of the accusations about the cruelty involving the dogs — and I’m not just talking about their duels to the death. All of that is enough to make me cringe because I have three highly-trained protection German shepherds, just in case someone wants to rob my family. Believe me, you don’t want to deal with them. With one German command, our dog Yascho turns into Cujo. And for the record, I live around the corner from the police station, so it won’t take them long to show up and save you from the dogs. Now back to Vick. Why are we indicting him? Was he the ringleader? Is he the big fish? Or is there someone else? The fights allegedly occurred at a property that he purchased for a family member. They apparently found carcasses on the property, but I must ask you again, is he the ringleader? This situation reminds me of a scene in the movie “New Jack City,” when drug dealer Nino Brown is on the witness stand and eloquently says, “This thing is bigger than me.” Are we using Vick to get to the ringleader? Are we using him to bring an end to dogfighting in the United States? The only thing I can gather from this situation is that we’re using Vick. Was he wrong? Absolutely. Was he stupid? Can’t argue with that. Was he immature? No doubt. But is he the ringleader? I just can’t see it. I believe Vick had a passion for dogfighting. I know many athletes who share his passion. The allure is the intensity and the challenge of a dog fighting to the death. It’s like ultimate fighting, but the dog doesn’t tap out when he knows he can’t win. It reminds me of when I wore a lot of jewelry back in the day because I always wanted to have the biggest chain or the biggest, baddest car. It gives you status. Can I pause for a moment to ask you a question? Who shot Darrant Williams? Remember the Denver Bronco cornerback? I’m just more concerned about bringing to justice someone who killed a human. Or finding out who broke into Miami Heat forward Antoine Walker’s home, tied him up and robbed him at gunpoint. We’re attacking this dogfighting ring the same way a teenager attacks his MySpace page after school (by the way parents, make sure you monitor your kids). We should have the same passion for man that we have for man’s best friend. The reason this is turning into a three-ring circus is that baseball is boring, basketball is months away, football is around the corner and we in the media don’t have a thing interesting to write about. How will this end up? I have no idea. All I know is Falcons fans better pray because Vick’s backup is Joey Harrington. Enough said. God bless and God willing I’ll hollah at you next week. — Deion Sanders, a North Fort Myers High School graduate, played in the NFL and Major League Baseball. He works as an analyst for the NFL Network and is part-owner of the Austin Wranglers of the Arena Football League. So, if we shouldn't be quick to judge, how was Vick "wrong." "Wrong" about what? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Score 1 Posted July 26, 2007 Share Posted July 26, 2007 Deion is an idiot. Always has been, always will be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avernus Posted July 26, 2007 Share Posted July 26, 2007 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
broncosn05 Posted July 26, 2007 Share Posted July 26, 2007 Deion is an idiot. Always has been, always will be. Yeah but you gotta love the energy he brought and still brings to the NFL. Right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yukon Cornelius Posted July 26, 2007 Share Posted July 26, 2007 Yeah but you gotta love the energy he brought and still brings to the NFL. Right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piranha Posted July 26, 2007 Share Posted July 26, 2007 That was like reading a 4th grade essay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushwacked Posted July 26, 2007 Share Posted July 26, 2007 Yeah but you gotta love the energy he brought and still brings to the NFL. Right? No... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dug Posted July 26, 2007 Share Posted July 26, 2007 "poorly written" now that's an understatement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingfish247 Posted July 26, 2007 Share Posted July 26, 2007 My apologies if this has already been posted. From the Southwest Florida News-Press...So, if we shouldn't be quick to judge, how was Vick "wrong." "Wrong" about what? I want the last 90 seconds of my life back... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Score 1 Posted July 26, 2007 Share Posted July 26, 2007 Yeah but you gotta love the energy he brought and still brings to the NFL. Right? No. Unfortunately I had the distinct displeasure of having to deal with Deion on quite a few occasions. The guy is one Grade A POS! His God given natural athletic ability does not overcome that fact...for me anyway. There is absolutely nothing about Deion that I love. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh 0ne Posted July 26, 2007 Share Posted July 26, 2007 Aside from a Bronco Billy's RB predictions, that was the dumbest thing I've ever read here at the Huddle. What a flocking moran. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushwacked Posted July 26, 2007 Share Posted July 26, 2007 Aside from a Bronco Billy's RB predictions, that was the dumbest thing I've ever read here at the Huddle. What a flocking moran. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgcoach Posted July 26, 2007 Share Posted July 26, 2007 And we are all "dumber" for having read any portion of that drivel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irish Posted July 26, 2007 Share Posted July 26, 2007 (edited) Deion is an idiot. Always has been, always will be. Very true but he sure could run. Aside from a Bronco Billy's RB predictions, that was the dumbest thing I've ever read here at the Huddle. What a flocking moran. Hugh wins Huddle's best fisherman. Edited July 26, 2007 by irish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackass Posted July 26, 2007 Share Posted July 26, 2007 That was like reading a 4th grade essay exactly my thoughts. there was so much faulty logic in that article i'm not even sure it was at a 4th grade level. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rajncajn Posted July 26, 2007 Share Posted July 26, 2007 That was like reading a 4th grade essay That's an insult to 4th graders...My 2nd grader is smarter than that. No. Unfortunately I had the distinct displeasure of having to deal with Deion on quite a few occasions. The guy is one Grade A POS! His God given natural athletic ability does not overcome that fact...for me anyway. There is absolutely nothing about Deion that I love. +100000000000 I know as a Saints fan it is my duty to hate all things Falcons, but "Neon Dieon" is a huge reason that I do. Aside from a Bronco Billy's RB predictions, that was the dumbest thing I've ever read here at the Huddle. What a flocking moran. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mystykoekaki Posted July 26, 2007 Share Posted July 26, 2007 I can't believe they posted that garbage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muck Posted July 26, 2007 Share Posted July 26, 2007 (edited) Hugh wins Huddle's best fisherman. Do you even know what Hugh is referring to? Edited July 26, 2007 by muck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peepinmofo Posted July 26, 2007 Share Posted July 26, 2007 Deion is an idiot. Always has been, always will be. +1 Deion was probably dog fighting with Vick. Ive never liked the guy, and he continues to show me why. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Menudo Posted July 26, 2007 Share Posted July 26, 2007 Yeah but you gotta love the energy he brought and still brings to the NFL. Right? Vick, Bonds, Deion........ you sure can pick'em Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Menudo Posted July 26, 2007 Share Posted July 26, 2007 Do you even know what Hugh is referring to? No. He wasn't here for it, but, he likes to fit in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No Quarter Posted July 26, 2007 Share Posted July 26, 2007 There were numerous editorials blasting old "Prime Time" in the Ft. Myers News Press the following day. Everyone that read that drivel thinks he's way off base. One article wondered why he considers himself part of the media. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Dick Posted July 26, 2007 Share Posted July 26, 2007 Deion actually brings up some interesting points. This world of dog-fighting is one that MOST of us here doesn't even know exists. You have to look at this from a societal aspect. Not everyone is from the world YOU live in. You cannot expect people that haven't grown up like YOU to have the same moral convictions that YOU have. In other words, how can YOU expect a certain segment of society to have the same moral code that YOU have, when they have no idea that world exists? I'm not saying that what Vick et al did was ok. Clearly it is not. But in the world he grew up in, with a different set of rules and a different survival instinct, things are different. Way different than what the rest of us deem to be ok. And I'm not going to sit here and judge a man whose shoes I haven't walked in. According to MY code, what happens in that world is despicable. And hopefully this is an instance that gets people to wake up to what's going on out there and deal with the REAL underlying issues that drive people to perform those despicable acts. Because all this window dressing anger accomplishes nothing until you get to the root of the problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cameltosis Posted July 26, 2007 Share Posted July 26, 2007 Deion actually brings up some interesting points. This world of dog-fighting is one that MOST of us here doesn't even know exists. You have to look at this from a societal aspect. Not everyone is from the world YOU live in. You cannot expect people that haven't grown up like YOU to have the same moral convictions that YOU have. In other words, how can YOU expect a certain segment of society to have the same moral code that YOU have, when they have no idea that world exists? I'm not saying that what Vick et al did was ok. Clearly it is not. But in the world he grew up in, with a different set of rules and a different survival instinct, things are different. Way different than what the rest of us deem to be ok. And I'm not going to sit here and judge a man whose shoes I haven't walked in. According to MY code, what happens in that world is despicable. And hopefully this is an instance that gets people to wake up to what's going on out there and deal with the REAL underlying issues that drive people to perform those despicable acts. Because all this window dressing anger accomplishes nothing until you get to the root of the problem. Um, what? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh 0ne Posted July 26, 2007 Share Posted July 26, 2007 (edited) I'm not saying that what Vick et al did was ok. Clearly it is not. But in the world he grew up in, with a different set of rules and a different survival instinct, things are different. Way different than what the rest of us deem to be ok. And I'm not going to sit here and judge a man whose shoes I haven't walked in. OK, so we just had 2 ex-cons kill and rape a mother, 17 year old and 11 year old daughter in Connecticut. But let's not judge them because maybe they grew up in a different environment. I get your point, makes perfect sense to me. EDIT: You can read about it here, might help you walk in their shoes a bit: http://www.newsradio88.com/pages/716889.ph...ontentId=718536 Edited July 26, 2007 by Hugh 0ne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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