Michael Vick to get his own reality show. Yes really.
He went from being one of the finest quarterbacks to ever come out of this decade and the NFL in general to one of the most heavily criticized individuals in recent times. Having recently finished serving 18 months in prison for dog fighting, Vick is currently restarting his football career with the Philadelphia Eagles.
An eight part docu-drama is set to air on BET in early 2010, which will mostly cover the off-field life Vick is living now. Luckily for Michael it doesn’t involve running from pitbulls.
Chris Rock, recently on the Jay Leno show, quipped “What the hell did Michael Vick do? A dog? A pitbull, that ain’t even a real dog! That’s white people stuff. Dogs are white man’s best friend; dogs have never been good to black people…”
After laughing at that, I gotta agree with Chris. During the Civil Rights movement, dogs had two types of food: Alpo and Negro.
I’m happy for Vick, yet part of me wonders what would happen if John Elway or Troy Aikman were caught dog fighting. Would they get the same treatment and prison sentence, or would they break a record for shortest time a celebrity has been in jail (I think Paris Hilton currently holds that record). What are your thoughts, reader? Do I have a right to think of this as a racial issue? Will you be checking for this show? Have you yourself forgiven Michael Vick?
Let’s hear it in the comments!
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Elizabeth says:
October 14th, 2009 at 11:36 am
No. I don’t think it’s a racial thing. If it was racial, then he would serve more than merely 20 mo in prison and wouldnt be signed to play in NFL anymore. it’s no racial.
He’s just a sadists. Deserved to be treated the same. i spit on his name. or ill throw shoes on his face during conference press :p
bill says:
October 14th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Funny the thing this really is…a LIBERAL issue. Anyone ever farmed you know Cows, Pigs, Chickens…does anyone talk about the quality life that most animals go through that we eat?
Bottom line these were raised with one purpose…to kill and be mean and yes that can be reversed but these were never your little pet animal that you treat like family and love dearly.
Bigger question…How long has dog fighting been a huge thing in the US? How many times has it ever made the media before, prior to Vick? How many bust have been made sense, Vick’s arrest?
Many things in the US are based on Culture and how you were brought up, regardless of whether you are long term American or recently immigrated. Sadly we dont try to understand these differences and accept them. It is why there are so many racial issues. I will go back to a famous black man and ask; “Why Can’t we all just get along?”.
Lets just move on and let Vick prove that he can be a better person and serve as a positive influence to try to change what has been long accepted form of entertainment in the Black Culture!!
Oh and before you pull the race card I am a White man who was born and raised on a farm. All the people in the country understand that these were just animals rasied to do what the Owner wanted. Notice I said OWNER. It was his property and he has the right to do with it what he chooses. Hate me if you want…but less Government in the US would be an AWESOME thing!!
Go vick go we want to see you run like you were running from a pack of pitbulls!!
Chris says:
October 14th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
It’s not a racial thing. Professional athletes have a responsibility to be at least semi-decent humans. They are role-models whether they want to be or think they are. It’s part of the job. Kids look up to ball players, pure and simple. When a player does something, or is even on the sidelines of something as atrocious as Vick was, it puts the wrong message out there. Do we really want our kids to think it’s cool to be a gangsta thug that enjoys torturing and killing innocent animals? I think not! To all the players out there…and I mean all…step up and become that role-model you’d want your kids to emulate, it’s the biggest thing you could do with the gift you’ve been given!
Mr D says:
October 14th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
Well, I do think if it was another BIG Name star who is another color – the treatment would be different.
Ann Marie says:
October 14th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
He man Mr Vick has already been charged.
Lets give him a new chance on life. How many of us have never made a mistake in life?
sjr says:
October 14th, 2009 at 7:57 pm
It is not racial and it is getting old hearing people even suggest that. What Vick did was horrid, cruel and evil. It is a fact that individuals who abuse animals go on to abuse people. I am disgusted by Chris Rock's comments. I think we all have an obligation to treat animals humanely. I encourage everyone to share your thoughts and concerns regarding Vick with the NFL, Eagles and local newspapers. I am convinced that is the only reason the Eagles just announced their new TAWK program. They have received so many comments, letters and emails from disgusted people. Vick is sorry for one thing only, getting caught. Every interview and speaking engagement he has made is a pity party for himself. I have yet to see him show remorse for the animals he tortured and killed.
Keisha says:
October 14th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
I am a Mike Vick fan who thinks that this is racial, and socioeconomic. I am African American and dogs are property…PERIOD. Some folks eat them, some kiss them on the mouth (YUCK!) And some fight them, whatever. I think folks who choose to assign a role to their property are entitled to do as they choose. But for God’s sake, they are dogs! I have pets and love them dearly-but that is my choice. This is another example of how society is dictating the which pets are “acceptable & valuable”. So many mean & unethical things are done to animals but of course if they aren’t the ones we buy sweaters and ride in our cars…tuff luck! Meanwhile Mike Vick shouldn’t have done a day & it would be so great if you dog folks showed that same zeal for say the children in poverty, our veterans who are homeless after fighting to protect your twisted ideals or our seniors…
buck says:
October 14th, 2009 at 6:03 pm
It was an organized crime issue, a large scale animal cruelty issue, not a racial issue. He is obviously gainfully employed having hardly skipped a beat after his prison term, and his celebrity only grows – high profile career, his own reality series. The sadistic killing (and the killing of the animals was more than simply putting them out of their misery, it was demented and disgusting) seems a non-issue to him now. Football is a savage sport, he’s a savage, no one was too shocked that he would be a psycho off the field, imo. As his new coach said, “he’s not the only violent criminal on the team”. It was basically brushed off as par for the course.
LJM says:
October 14th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
Anyone who thinks this was racially motivated has lost their mind. Everything that happens to an African American is not racially motivated. Michael Vick is a monster, he committed heinous crimes and is lucky that he got off as easy as he did. He is NOT sorry, he DOES NOT deserve to be a role model in any way. Any of you that think Chris Rock’s comments were funny or that dogs are property and can be treated however the owner chooses need to think about your values and get your head examined while you are at it.
bellabull says:
October 15th, 2009 at 11:36 am
i don't think it was racial either.he committed a crime and was punished.do i think he should be an athlete and role model for kids not really but he was punished and that is an example too.he will have to live with this for the remainder of his life so i hope he has a conscience and learned a lesson….i wont be watching his reality show for sure though.
Deb says:
October 15th, 2009 at 8:51 am
To Keisha: I’m sorry but you are sadly mistaken that Vick never should have done any time. He should have done a lot more. To say that its okay to take another life, whether it be human or animal is just not what our society is supposed to be made out of. And to say “tuff luck” because its not YOUR dog is totally off the wall.
I support the veterans who have let me fight for the rights of another living breathing thing, something you prefer to just let go on. I tend to stay away from the other groups though because they turn out people who have no compassion for another life and I think that is an important part of our society. I also take offence to being told I have “twisted ideals” because I try to stop animal cruelty. I have compassion, and care what happens to others, whether they be human or animal, which it seems that you do not, and only care about yourself. You and Micheal Vick would make a good pair, you could fight them and he could strangle, electrocute and drown them when they didn’t perform well enough. Great world we live in. :(
Bailey says:
October 15th, 2009 at 9:08 am
OK, I’ve just lost what little respect I had for Leno. WTH is with Chris Rock? I remember also Whoopi Goldburg saying its (dogfighting) a southern thing, too when all this was first came out. WRONG. It’s every damn where you can think of.
Tracy says:
October 15th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
You are nothing but another bitter racist ni**er!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Joie says:
October 15th, 2009 at 10:12 am
Anyone who thinks this is a racial issues is just plain IGNORANT. I am so tired of people playing the race card in this country. Get over it. Vick got off easy, is now playing for the NFL, getting his own reality show… and you think this is still a race issue??? Go watch your BET and rethink this.
Dahlia Canes says:
October 15th, 2009 at 11:05 am
..and you Sir…need to get educated…this isn’t a “Black Thing…” Welcome to this new era where lots of Blacks own dogs in this century, love their dogs and are responsible dog owners…Chris Rock is one who should confine his jokes, to where they’re funny. As for Vick…I’d personally hang the bastard.
Fayclis says:
October 15th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Vick got off easy and Chris Rock isn’t a “real” comic either. Maybe someone should tell both Vick and Rock that REAL men, who enjoy violence and fightin don’t let their dogs do the fighting for them. REAL men don’t brutalize, torture, abuse, murder for FUN any living, breathing, feeling creature that cannot protect itself for their own SICK PREVERSE amusement or THINK that if someone ELSE does it, it’s OK. Both of these jokers need to attend REAL MAN school.
Luke says:
October 16th, 2009 at 2:11 am
All this promoting Vick is doing is telling young people (often unemployed) if you become a dog fighter, you will get famous and get million dollar contracts LIKE VICK. In other words, a dog fighter is being very richly rewarded with million dollar contracts. The man is swimming in fame and fortune! He is America's darling! Now young people will want to do the Vick thing and go to Craig's list and get some free to good home pitties and FIGHT THOSE DOGS and sell some crack and crack and illegal weapons at those dog fighting rings.
rhaps says:
October 16th, 2009 at 4:23 am
Holy cow making anybody or anything fight is not right. He is paying his dues lets let it go
Jan says:
October 16th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
To Keisha: Why don't you judge people on their actions and not the color of their skin? Why are you STILL a Michael Vick fan after what he did to those innocent living creatures? Those dogs were INNOCENT with NO CHOICE but to live in that hell! For you to say that you are still a Michael Vick just shows the type of person you are. YOU are racist!
andre says:
October 17th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
it seems a lot of people disagree with Chris Rock's joke here…is he wrong, or does he have a point?
also, do we allow Vick to move on, or would you like him to be punished more? and if the latter, how would YOU punish him?
N P says:
October 27th, 2009 at 10:36 am
Hey, how about we give the dogs a second chance? Sorry, but it's too late for them. May Vick ROT IN HELL!!! And to all of you who think it's racial…Why don't you give it a break already and stand up like a real member of society instead of always having excuses and somewhere to point fingers and be the victim? YOU are the reason for racism in this country!!!
i AM karma bitch! says:
November 11th, 2009 at 1:39 am
mistake my fucking ass he should become dog food he's a spineless piece of shit who couldn't fight himself so he took one of the best breeds out there and did it with that. He should rot in hell, but nah thats too nice for him
i AM karma bitch! says:
November 11th, 2009 at 1:41 am
I'll stand behind animals not people, what you say should apply to people because they aren't innocent, ever but the animals are you stupid fuck
MIGHTYTHOR says:
November 21st, 2009 at 1:48 am
I'll Forgive, but i will not forget!!!!!!