Another slew of off the field incidents further stereotype
The NFL seems to have a growing problem on its hands with each passing day. What do to with their troubled athletes?
Once again, another group of names from the NFL is making headlines for all the wrong reasons. This time the names bring some fresh faces, and some that have lined the police blotter before. Chris Henry, Clinton Portis, Justin Miller, Steve McNair and most notably Michael Vick have all made headlines for off the field incidents.
Henry, who has already been suspended by Roger Goodell for 8 games this upcoming season for past offenses, made headlines on Monday for allegedly failing a court mandated drug test, which his agent promptly denied. Justin Miller also made headlines early Monday morning for an altercation in a nightclub, during which Miller accidentally struck a woman and fled the police before being captured and charged with 3rd degree assault.
McNair, who in May 2003, was arrested and charged with DUI and possession of a loaded firearm while intoxicated, once again found himself arrested for a DUI charge, this time as a passenger, due to the fact that he was the owner of the truck and the driver of the truck was also intoxicated.
Even with all of the other players being arrested and charged, the biggest story is still developing. Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Vick has been caught in the middle of an investigation of dogfighting at one of his Virginia homes. Vick quickly went on the offensive and denied the story
"I'm never there. 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. The issue will get resolved. It's unfortunate I have to take the heat behind it. If I'm not there I don't know what's going on."
But as more information has come out regarding the story, the more Vick looks more involved than he would like the public to believe.
First, former teammates of Vick's came out and said not only did he know of what was going down in the home, he funded the operation. Then Vick was also linked to the website of the dogfighting ring. Most recently, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that during the raid on the property, envelopes addressed to "M. Vick" were seized, along with a binder full of what are being called "contracts" or copies of contracts. The complete list of seized items reads as how-to when it comes to dogfighting.
Around 30 dogs were found tied to heavy logging chains. These dogs were tied up so they could come close to each other but not come in actual contact. These chains were then tethered to car axles buried in the ground, which in one officer's opinion was consistent with dogfighting. A majority of the dogs had no water or dirty water in their bowls, which were coated with a slimy, green substance, which appeared to be algae.
Another disturbing twist to the story came about when Washington Redskins RB Clinton Portis was asked about the situation and gave some troubling comments.
"I don't know if he was fighting dogs or not, but it's his property, it's his dog. If that's what he wants to do, do it. I think people should mind their business."
Portis was then informed that dog fighting is a felony, to which he replied, "It can't be too bad of a crime." Portis went on to say "You want to hunt down Mike Vick over fighting some dogs? I think people should mind their own business."
Behavior and comments like these are exactly why the NFL has the image that is has now. The NFL is viewed as a league of thugs and criminal who have an utter disregard for the law, and with recent events, who can blame the public at large for feeling that way? It seems that even though a message has already been sent by Commissioner Goodell that such behavior will not be tolerated by the league, the players refuse to listen. Justin Miller didn't learn from Pacman Jones that nightclubs are a breeding ground for trouble. Steve McNair didn't learn from his prior DUI charge. Chris Henry hasn't learned anything from his myriad of charges and convictions. Michael Vick comes off as a heartless, soulless human being who tortures animals for his entertainment. Clinton Portis and his comments just portray him as an ignorant man who seems not to care what anyone does on their property, regardless of the legality of the actions.
If Roger Goodell really wants to re-enforce his new conduct policy, he will bring the hammer down on these players who seem to have not gotten the message yet. These players need to fined and/or suspended for their off the field actions or Goodell will come off as weak, with a lack of a commitment to what he says, and that's the last thing the NFL and the NFLPA need right now.
Once again, another group of names from the NFL is making headlines for all the wrong reasons. This time the names bring some fresh faces, and some that have lined the police blotter before. Chris Henry, Clinton Portis, Justin Miller, Steve McNair and most notably Michael Vick have all made headlines for off the field incidents.
Henry, who has already been suspended by Roger Goodell for 8 games this upcoming season for past offenses, made headlines on Monday for allegedly failing a court mandated drug test, which his agent promptly denied. Justin Miller also made headlines early Monday morning for an altercation in a nightclub, during which Miller accidentally struck a woman and fled the police before being captured and charged with 3rd degree assault.
McNair, who in May 2003, was arrested and charged with DUI and possession of a loaded firearm while intoxicated, once again found himself arrested for a DUI charge, this time as a passenger, due to the fact that he was the owner of the truck and the driver of the truck was also intoxicated.
Even with all of the other players being arrested and charged, the biggest story is still developing. Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Vick has been caught in the middle of an investigation of dogfighting at one of his Virginia homes. Vick quickly went on the offensive and denied the story
"I'm never there. 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. The issue will get resolved. It's unfortunate I have to take the heat behind it. If I'm not there I don't know what's going on."
But as more information has come out regarding the story, the more Vick looks more involved than he would like the public to believe.
First, former teammates of Vick's came out and said not only did he know of what was going down in the home, he funded the operation. Then Vick was also linked to the website of the dogfighting ring. Most recently, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that during the raid on the property, envelopes addressed to "M. Vick" were seized, along with a binder full of what are being called "contracts" or copies of contracts. The complete list of seized items reads as how-to when it comes to dogfighting.
- Cat Mill
- Jenny Mills
- Carpet Mill/Stand
- Treadmills (Electric/modified for dogs/all used for conditioning dogs to fight)
- Rape Stand (used for breeding)
- Assorted dietary supplements
- Weight pull harness
- Three wooden slat mills
- All animals/breeder certification and kennel documents
- Four kennels
- Dog food
- Chains and collars
- Assorted medicines
- Weight scale
Around 30 dogs were found tied to heavy logging chains. These dogs were tied up so they could come close to each other but not come in actual contact. These chains were then tethered to car axles buried in the ground, which in one officer's opinion was consistent with dogfighting. A majority of the dogs had no water or dirty water in their bowls, which were coated with a slimy, green substance, which appeared to be algae.
Another disturbing twist to the story came about when Washington Redskins RB Clinton Portis was asked about the situation and gave some troubling comments.
"I don't know if he was fighting dogs or not, but it's his property, it's his dog. If that's what he wants to do, do it. I think people should mind their business."
Portis was then informed that dog fighting is a felony, to which he replied, "It can't be too bad of a crime." Portis went on to say "You want to hunt down Mike Vick over fighting some dogs? I think people should mind their own business."
Behavior and comments like these are exactly why the NFL has the image that is has now. The NFL is viewed as a league of thugs and criminal who have an utter disregard for the law, and with recent events, who can blame the public at large for feeling that way? It seems that even though a message has already been sent by Commissioner Goodell that such behavior will not be tolerated by the league, the players refuse to listen. Justin Miller didn't learn from Pacman Jones that nightclubs are a breeding ground for trouble. Steve McNair didn't learn from his prior DUI charge. Chris Henry hasn't learned anything from his myriad of charges and convictions. Michael Vick comes off as a heartless, soulless human being who tortures animals for his entertainment. Clinton Portis and his comments just portray him as an ignorant man who seems not to care what anyone does on their property, regardless of the legality of the actions.
If Roger Goodell really wants to re-enforce his new conduct policy, he will bring the hammer down on these players who seem to have not gotten the message yet. These players need to fined and/or suspended for their off the field actions or Goodell will come off as weak, with a lack of a commitment to what he says, and that's the last thing the NFL and the NFLPA need right now.
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