Michael Vick article, “The Oregonian,” 7/19/07, by Brent Hunsberger

I just read the article about Michael Vick, quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, and whether or not he’ll be able to hang onto his Nike endorsement. Who cares? I certainly don’t. He was accused by Federal officials Monday of running an operation called Bad Newz Kennels on his property in Virginia. The indictment said Vick and his associates had an animal-fighting venture where gambling took place. They also bought pit bulls to participate in the games. After games, the dogs that hadn’t died but were injured were sometimes electrocuted, drowned, hanged or shot. Vick is being arraigned July 26, the same day the Falcons training camp begins.

We have all become very used to hearing of steroid use, drug use, DUIs, getting into fights after stumbling out of late-night clubs and sexual assaults involving professional athletes. But we’ve never heard of something involving brutality toward animals to this extent. There have been allegations of dog fighting, but nothing quite this horrific. This article quotes Lynn Kahle, a professor who teaches sports marketing at University of Oregon, who says, “A lot of people have a pet dog they really love, and the idea of mistreating a pet dog is bothersome.” Bothersome?? What is that? I call it vile and disgusting what he and his buddies did on his property. I can’t think of anything harsh enough a judge or jury could lay on him. As far as his endorsement with Nike, I think Nike should drop him like a hot potato . . . but they probably won’t.