ALL Mike Vick News (Merged 39X)

[Ryno the Jet]

yer prolly right about this thing gettin watered down cause it's vick and thats what really sucks.

their dad must be a piece of work eh sj? both kids cannot decifer right from wrong it seems. thuggery comes so natural to both of em.

Google Newport News! Athletics come first there, as that is the only realistic meal ticket for the kids of that community as far as everyone is concerned. The star athletes are treated like kings in high school and their wrongdoings ignored.

I'm not singling this area out; hell, my college roommate finished 3rd in state amongst QBs, behind Brees and Kliff Kingsbury. They are in the NFL and he just lost his job for stealing money from the company he worked for and has a huge gambling debt built up. He was treated like God of his small community in High School. He was on the news all the time, he did zero school work, etc. When he got to college, he flunked out fast and developed a gigantic drinking/gambling issue. This is far too common, as only so few athletes actually make it to a successful level.

Vick is no different, he just actually had the skills to make it and retain his God-like status...until now. There is no way in hell he is fast enough to outrun this problem. I do not think that a prosecutor would accept a weak plea from Vick and, personally, I think his days in the league are numbered...

[ECURB]

There is a little video worth watching on the page too...

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2888085

Two law enforcement officials familiar with the investigation have told ESPN.com they believe there is sufficient evidence to indict Michael Vick in connection with a suspected dogfighting ring that was run on property the Falcons quarterback owned in Virginia.

The sources, however, cautioned this week that, based on the current evidence, it might be difficult to successfully prosecute Vick, who has denied knowledge of dogfighting at the property in Surry County.

"There is probably enough there to bring a bill [of indictment]," said one source, "but how some of [the evidence] would play out at trial, or if it even reached a trial ... I just don't know. These kinds of prosecutions are tough. There are some holes, definitely, and that's why [investigators] are digging for more information. You want more than just smoke. You're always looking for the smoking gun.

"I mean, what you think you know and what you know you know, and what you can prove to other people you know ... well, they aren't always the same. But this is a fluid thing, so we'll see where it goes."

It would help [the case], obviously, if someone stepped up with something concrete. A figure in a shadow, with a Darth Vader-type voice, that's fine, but sooner or later someone has to put their hand on a Bible in front of a jury.

Law enforcement official

On Wednesday, Surry County Commonwealth's Attorney Gerald G. Poindexter told ESPN that he recently received a call from a person whom he deemed credible, and that the informant gave him information regarding the ongoing investigation. Television station WAVY of Portsmouth, Va., reported Wednesday that informants have come forward who have said that they can link Vick to dogfighting.

"We have people who are volunteering to make those allegations," Poindexter said. Asked if there was evidence that placed Vick at dogfights, Poindexter said, "Yes."

Poindexter told ESPN's Kelly Naqi that he is convinced dogfighting took place on the property, saying he is continuing to pursue a strong case.

"If he did anything, he won't get away with it, if we can prove it. But it's not easy," Poindexter said. "That's why we're moving carefully, slowly. We're trying to build a strong case."

Poindexter referenced a 2000 case which involved dogfighting and which was dismissed over Fourth Amendment issues. He said he will forward affidavits to the State Attorney's Appellate Division to have officials there review it in terms of its admissibility for court. He cited the same Fourth Amendment issues as the reason he did not permit officials to move forward with a warrant to search the Vick property earlier this week.

One ESPN.com source acknowledged that at least one federal agency beyond the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which was represented at a recent meeting with local investigators, has taken "a pretty serious interest" in the investigation in recent days.

One of the sources has first-hand knowledge of the evidence that was presented May 21 during a two-hour meeting that included Poindexter and a representative from the USDA. The other was frequently apprised of what is included in the evidence, but has not yet directly reviewed it.

Both sources were reluctant to discuss the evidence in detail. But one said that, beyond forensic evidence and also the dog-training paraphernalia that has been shown in various television reports, there are also "some documents" that suggest dogfighting was taking place. Queried about the documents, which were seized from the property, the source would only say while "there is paperwork" that includes Vick's name or what are said to be references to him, it appears none bear his signature.

"There are some dots," said the source, "but it's putting them all in a straight line that's been a challenge. There's a lot of stuff to look at and consider. But preponderance doesn't always equal proof, so they're trying to dot I's and cross T's."

Vick's attorney, Larry Woodward, did not return messages.

On Wednesday, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Poindexter could convene a special grand jury to consider the case. The regular grand jury is not scheduled to meet until July 24, Surry County clerk of courts Gail P. Clayton said. The grand jury meets on the fourth Tuesday of every other month, beginning in January.

The Journal-Constitution reported that two people claiming to have information that might aid the investigation have contacted law enforcement authorities, and that Poindexter was performing due diligence on the background of one of the two. Both of the sources who spoke to ESPN.com said claims that people have possible information that might strengthen the case is consistent with their understanding of the progress being made.

Those people, their credibility and the value of the information that they claim to have are being scrutinized.

"It would help [the case], obviously, if someone stepped up with something concrete," one ESPN.com source said. "A figure in a shadow, with a Darth Vader-type voice, that's fine, but sooner or later someone has to put their hand on a Bible in front of a jury."

ESPN's "Outside the Lines" on Sunday interviewed a confidential informant, speaking on camera with his face hidden and his voice disguised, who alleged Vick is a "heavyweight" in dogfighting circles. He claimed that Vick owned and fought dogs and bet heavily on them.

The pace of the investigation and the timing of any possible indictment against the embattled Vick, who is playing under a $130 million contract and is the face of Atlanta's franchise, could be critical to his plans for the 2007 season and to any potential sanctions by the NFL. If a grand jury in Surry County does not meet until late July, it would be right about the time Vick and the Falcons are to report to training camp.

There are, some observers feel, enough potential maneuvers to perhaps delay a trial -- if the case reaches that point -- until after the season. Such trials have typically lasted eight months or more. The NFL, which has offered the services of its security department to assist local authorities in the investigation, continues to closely monitor the proceedings.

It is not known if commissioner Roger Goodell would consider sanctions against Vick if he is merely indicted. Goodell emphasized last week, at the NFL's spring meeting in Nashville, that the recent severe suspensions of Tennessee cornerback Pacman Jones and Cincinnati wide receiver Chris Henry were based in part on their status as repeat offenders of the league's personal conduct policy.

[johnny green balls]

Google Newport News! Athletics come first there, as that is the only realistic meal ticket for the kids of that community as far as everyone is concerned. The star athletes are treated like kings in high school and their wrongdoings ignored.

I'm not singling this area out; hell, my college roommate finished 3rd in state amongst QBs, behind Brees and Kliff Kingsbury. They are in the NFL and he just lost his job for stealing money from the company he worked for and has a huge gambling debt built up. He was treated like God of his small community in High School. He was on the news all the time, he did zero school work, etc. When he got to college, he flunked out fast and developed a gigantic drinking/gambling issue. This is far too common, as only so few athletes actually make it to a successful level.

Vick is no different, he just actually had the skills to make it and retain his God-like status...until now. There is no way in hell he is fast enough to outrun this problem. I do not think that a prosecutor would accept a weak plea from Vick and, personally, I think his days in the league are numbered...

the problem is too many actually think it's "realistic" to become a pro athlete. It is 10,000 times more likely to become a doctor or lawyer (even the first in your family) than to become a pro athlete yet that's all some kids try to achieve. when they inevitably fail, they have no education, no backup plan, nothing. it's primarily the parents who breed this "pro athlete or nothing" strategy that does little except condemn yet another generation to poverty and unrealized promises.

[joewilly]

Google Newport News! Athletics come first there, as that is the only realistic meal ticket for the kids of that community as far as everyone is concerned. The star athletes are treated like kings in high school and their wrongdoings ignored.

I'm not singling this area out; hell, my college roommate finished 3rd in state amongst QBs, behind Brees and Kliff Kingsbury. They are in the NFL and he just lost his job for stealing money from the company he worked for and has a huge gambling debt built up. He was treated like God of his small community in High School. He was on the news all the time, he did zero school work, etc. When he got to college, he flunked out fast and developed a gigantic drinking/gambling issue. This is far too common, as only so few athletes actually make it to a successful level.

Vick is no different, he just actually had the skills to make it and retain his God-like status...until now. There is no way in hell he is fast enough to outrun this problem. I do not think that a prosecutor would accept a weak plea from Vick and, personally, I think his days in the league are numbered...

good post ryno & I agree with ya bout the prosecutor. I doubt anyone in the dogfighting prosecuting arena will have much sympathy for a guy who is most likely funding this atrocity.

I hope the case is slow going cause they wanna close every loophole proir to the making anything available to the defence team and not tryin to sweep stuff under the rug

[SouthernJet]

Google Newport News! Athletics come first there, as that is the only realistic meal ticket for the kids of that community as far as everyone is concerned. ..

what idiots think that??

do u know the odds of making it to NBA cpompared to odds of inner city child getting a college degree?

its infinitly easier % wise to get a degree than to make it to NBA.

Its the desire for HUGE bucks and supposed lifestyle that gets to them as opposewd to middle class comfportable lifestyle.

[joewilly]

read johnnygreenballs post just prior to yours. i'd swear you guys were related somehow.

I no nothing of mike & marcus' upbringing but i'm thinkin mike grew up thinking dogfighting was ok. & thats whats sad. He was prolly raised around it all his life

thuggery seems to be the accepted way of life in that family

[4HCrew]

Sponsors need to start backing out like AirTran just did...then the NFL needs to suspend him for embarassing both himself and the league end of story

[GREENSMACKS]

maybe he can endorse alpo

[Blackout]

not that it really matters, because any qb that has to rush for 500 yards or more in a season must have a really ****ty team and won't win anything anytime soon

[war ensemble]

if given the chance, kellen clemens would.

[DefenseWinsChampionships]

not that it really matters, because any qb that has to rush for 500 yards or more in a season must have a really ****ty team and won't win anything anytime soon

I guess teams like the Eagles with McNabb never won anything.

[Arsis]

I guess teams like the Eagles with McNabb never won anything.

Mcnabb hasn't.

[ECURB]

if given the chance, kellen clemens would.

He aint that special on his feet, he is a pocket passer.

[GREENSMACKS]

vince young since he wrs suck and clydesdale white weighs as much as the olineman

[Ghost]

I don't think anyone will, but Vince Young could come close.

[124]

Vince Young would be the #1 contender to do so since when you look at his WR corps, Brandon Jones appears to be the #1 with David Givens still hurt.

That and he throws more picks then he does touchdown's.

But...

I'm just sayin'

[ECURB]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2888906

ATLANTA -- AirTran Airways has ended its relationship with Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, who has been a pitchman for the airline since 2004, but whose image has been tarnished in several off-field incidents.

"Michael's contract expired May 8, and we advised him then that we would not renew it," AirTran spokesman Tad Hutcheson said Thursday.

Hutcheson said Vick had appeared on five billboards and did radio commercials under a one-year contract, which had been renewed twice before. He said AirTran has Falcons running back Warrick Dunn under contract, and other sports celebrities in other cities.

Most recently, Vick's name has been dragged into a Virginia investigation of dog fighting after authorities confiscated dozens of dogs at property owned by Vick and said they found evidence related to fighting.

Among Vick's other publicity problems, he was sued by a woman who claimed he gave her herpes, he made an obscene gesture to spectators while leaving the field after a game, and security screeners at the Miami airport stopped him from boarding an AirTran flight in January with a water bottle that turned out to have a hidden compartment. Vick said he used it to store jewelry, and police found no evidence of smuggled drugs.

Especially stinging to AirTran, though, was that Vick's publicist blamed the airline when the quarterback known for his quickness failed to arrive in Washington to speak before Congress. AirTran said Vick had ample opportunities to get to his destination on AirTran but chose not to.

[ECURB]

Hopefully everyone starts dropping this idiot.

[ShadowJet35]

Hopefully everyone starts dropping this idiot.

ahh, stfu.

[Blackout]

I guess teams like the Eagles with McNabb never won anything.

how many rings are on his fingers?

exactly.

[joewilly]

not that it really matters, because any qb that has to rush for 500 yards or more in a season must have a really ****ty team and won't win anything anytime soon

not sure but if one does the oc should be fired

[DefenseWinsChampionships]

how many rings are on his fingers?

exactly.

Im a Yankees fan, but how many rings does A-Rod have? Does that mean he is not going to the H.O.F?

[green_blood]

No, but it provides an asterisk that will never leave someone, a la Dan Marino. Oh God, I remember a few years back someone saying that Peyton Manning is the next Marino who will never win the big game, and Marino is like 5 feet away! Pure magic!

[Kentucky Jet]

NIKE CODE OF CONDUCT & ETHICS DOESN'T APPLY TO VICK

A reader has sent us a link to the official Nike Code of Conduct & Ethics. Apparently, Mile Vick has negotiated an exemption from these guidelines in his contract with the athletic shoe giant.

We're being sarcastic (there's a shock). The point here is that Nike's decision to stand firmly behind Vick, in light of the available evidence regarding Vick's apparent dog-fighting involvement indicates that the company is not applying its Code of Conduct & Ethics to Vick.

In an introduction to the document, Nike Chairman Phil Knight writes, "This Code of Ethics is vitally important. It contains the rules of the game for NIKE, the rules we live by and what we stand for. Please read it. And if you've read it, read it again. Then take some time to think about what it says and make a commitment to play by it."

Though the code applies primarily to Nike employees, page 7 seems to suggest that it also applies to contractors, like Vick. At a minimum, it's obvious that if Vick were an actual Nike employee the situations in which he has been involved over the past few months (e.g., public display of obscene gesture, water bottle incident, not showing up for Congressional event, and owning property that hosted dog fighting) would have gotten him in trouble.

Consider page 5: "NIKE's good name and reputation result in large part from our collective actions. That means the work-related activities of every employee must reflect standards of honesty, loyalty, trustworthiness, fairness, concern for others and accountability. We are expected to be sensitive to any situations that can adversely affect NIKE's reputation and are expected to use good judgment and common sense in the way we all conduct business."

Or how about the list of questions on page 21 that a person should ask himself in order to determine whether he is doing "the right thing"? We suspect that the phrase "How will the decision affect others?" is something Vick has rarely asked himself.

Since Vick is a person with whom the company has aligned for the purposes of marketing its brand, it's all the more reason for the company to cast aside crutches like "due process" and, you know, "do the right thing."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Lil Bit Special]

I am actually proud of Nike standing behind him while these are just accusations. I wish more companies would stand up for their people instead of cut and run when there looks like storm clouds on the horizon.

IF he did something illegal, I expect Nike to cancel their contract.

And dont doubt for a moment they arent reading over the fine print of the contract looking for a way to get out for free.

Let the Justice system do their job... the court of public opinion is full of jack@sses

[Bugg]

Nike, which manufactures overpriced junk in overseas sweatshops to sell to poor inner city youths who don't know any better, has "ethics"? If Phil Knight had any ethics their prices would be cut 75%. Don't hold your breath.

I was actually inside a Nike factory outlet store over the weekend. A huge poster of Vick is prominently displayed, with his "Mike" tattoo on his bicep shot to make it look like it might say "Nike". Until he's arrested or convicted, don't see why Nike would dump him.

And in fairness, if the local DA or the feds had anything they would've charged him by now. All they have is druggie informants looking to work off their own cases by rolling on bigger fish, some circumstantial evidence of dogfights on the property and a bunch of angry animals rights activist investigators who jeopardized this case by bragging how they had "got Mike Vick!" to SI when this thing started. Those animal rights investigators will get barbequed alive at trial by Vick's attorneys, if this ever went to trial. So would the rat drug dealers. So what you're left with is a guy owning property where dogs are raised. They cannot prove he was there 24/7 or knows what's going on there every day. In fact, given his schedule, it's likely he was very rarely there for extended stays anyway.

And it won't ever get that far. I'ts likely Vick was involved. Proving it is likely not going to happen. While the Duke case isn't an exact comparison, the level of rampant media speculation is. No DA is going forward without some video or impeccable eyewitness testimony of Vick fighting dogs. And given the posse of goofballs that surround him, that's not happening.

[BornJetsFan1983]

I am actually proud of Nike standing behind him while these are just accusations. I wish more companies would stand up for their people instead of cut and run when there looks like storm clouds on the horizon.

IF he did something illegal, I expect Nike to cancel their contract.

And dont doubt for a moment they arent reading over the fine print of the contract looking for a way to get out for free.

Let the Justice system do their job... the court of public opinion is full of jack@sses

just accusations? they dont care about that, thiey probably could care less about right or wrong its just about money bud. If they can make more money with a client than losing it they will, bottom line...

[flgreen]

just accusations? they dont care about that, thiey probably could care less about right or wrong its just about money bud. If they can make more money with a client than losing it they will, bottom line...

That's it.................

If there was some kind of public outrage that was a threat to their bottom line, Vick would be kicked under the next trolley.

There isn't.....He stays

[#27TheDominator]

That's it.................

If there was some kind of public outrage that was a threat to their bottom line, Vick would be kicked under the next trolley.

There isn't.....He stays

Exactly. Violating their "Code of Ethics" probably just gives them the option to void his contract if they want to. Meaning if public opinion goes against him and he's not worth the money as an endorser. Like the Yanks with Giambi. They only look to void his contract for steroid use when he isn't hitting. If he were at .340 and dropping 40/125 a year it would never be discussed.

[jetfuel]

NIKE CODE OF CONDUCT & ETHICS DOESN'T APPLY TO VICK

A reader has sent us a link to the official Nike Code of Conduct & Ethics. Apparently, Mile Vick has negotiated an exemption from these guidelines in his contract with the athletic shoe giant.

We're being sarcastic (there's a shock). The point here is that Nike's decision to stand firmly behind Vick, in light of the available evidence regarding Vick's apparent dog-fighting involvement indicates that the company is not applying its Code of Conduct & Ethics to Vick.

In an introduction to the document, Nike Chairman Phil Knight writes, "This Code of Ethics is vitally important. It contains the rules of the game for NIKE, the rules we live by and what we stand for. Please read it. And if you've read it, read it again. Then take some time to think about what it says and make a commitment to play by it."

Though the code applies primarily to Nike employees, page 7 seems to suggest that it also applies to contractors, like Vick. At a minimum, it's obvious that if Vick were an actual Nike employee the situations in which he has been involved over the past few months (e.g., public display of obscene gesture, water bottle incident, not showing up for Congressional event, and owning property that hosted dog fighting) would have gotten him in trouble.

Consider page 5: "NIKE's good name and reputation result in large part from our collective actions. That means the work-related activities of every employee must reflect standards of honesty, loyalty, trustworthiness, fairness, concern for others and accountability. We are expected to be sensitive to any situations that can adversely affect NIKE's reputation and are expected to use good judgment and common sense in the way we all conduct business."

Or how about the list of questions on page 21 that a person should ask himself in order to determine whether he is doing "the right thing"? We suspect that the phrase "How will the decision affect others?" is something Vick has rarely asked himself.

Since Vick is a person with whom the company has aligned for the purposes of marketing its brand, it's all the more reason for the company to cast aside crutches like "due process" and, you know, "do the right thing."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nike has no ethics! Why would they expected to do something to the contrary? A company known for slave labor and all types of abuse for their workers overseas is not going to make a moral stance. Nike and Vick make a good team - Scum and Scummer!

[GM]

Nike also supports an adulterer and alleged rapist.

[drago]

Nike has no ethics! Why would they expected to do something to the contrary? A company known for slave labor and all types of abuse for their workers overseas is not going to make a moral stance. Nike and Vick make a good team - Scum and Scummer!

Sweat shops? are you serious? You make it seem like Nike came up with the idea of paying people 10 cents and hour, 14 hour days, and no bathroom breaks. Its not just them pal. We live in a capitalist state, anything you can do to lessin your expenses, you do it. If that means you use some indian kids, you use the indian kids.

I bet you'd hear more of an outcry if they sold their average shoes for 150 bucks because of unionized workers that can't do much more than tie a pair of shoes (this is not a shot at unionized workers that have actual skills, electricions, plumbers, mechanics...).

It's easy to place blame on Nike, but they didn't start it, they are doing what it takes to make money. If i, or anyone on this board owned Nike you'd do the same damn thing, it's all about bottom line, that's the USA.

[joewilly]

Nike also supports an adulterer and alleged rapist.

lets not forget their history with sweat shops.

anyone know if stetson hat co. cut & run on don imus?

[#27TheDominator]

Nike also supports an adulterer and alleged rapist.

Um... they make baseball and basketball shoes. How many baseball and basketball players aren't adulterers? Pretty much only the single ones.

[GM]

Um... they make baseball and basketball shoes. How many baseball and basketball players aren't adulterers? Pretty much only the single ones.

I was alluding to Kobe...