When young athletes are in middle/high school and their talent is realized, they start getting special treatment. Teachers, coaches, school administrators, parents, friends… mostly everyone coddles them. These kids begin to believe the hype. They come to think of themselves as invincible. That they are above the law – or at least someone will make sure any transgressions will be taken care of – that things will be swept under the rug and they are never held accountable.
Michael Vick is one of those kids. He knew better. His own father warned him that he should disassociate himself from dog fighting. Why risk your NFL career and being an icon in the league for something as stupid as dog fighting? But NOW – after being caught, threatened with federal prison time and losing his lucrative NFL contract and endorsement deals – he says he needs to “grow up.” Word?
Yesterday Mike gave an apology that a lot of sports, legal analysts and even the Falcon’s owner is calling “heart-felt.” But really, how heart felt was that apology? I personally think he just finally got a grasp within the last two weeks of just how serious this whole dog fighting thing is to some Americans and he now knows that he has to appease those he’s offended. Otherwise, he still wouldn’t give a shit, wouldn’t think anything was wrong with what he’s done and basically would still be dog fighting tomorrow if he hadn’t been caught and there weren’t outraged animal advocates. And the whole thing with him finding Jesus, asking Jesus’ forgiveness and turning his life over to God… I just don’t buy it. Prison time and losing millions – possibly having to go work at the Newport News Burger King (because you know he probably knows nothing but football) – will make you feign turning over a new leaf like a muhhphucka! Remember, he still has to be sentenced in December – he has to convince the judge that he’s a changed man if he has any hopes of getting the minimum sentence.
Maybe now some of these other professional athletes, actors and even rappers will now start to take a long, hard look at their entourages. The dudes they choose to keep around them. Keeping questionable people around you – even family, brings heat into your life. Mike’s cousin, Davon Boddie is the dumb-ass who drew the heat. An investigation and drug raid on Davon back in April is how they found dog fighting equipment, which got the investigation against Mike in full swing.
Hey guys, make sure the people that you are loyal to – including family – don’t bring prying eyes upon you. And as I stated in my post about T.I. back on July 21st, the dudes around you need to also be clear, that if anything goes down, they need to take the fall and keep your name out of it… and in return, you take care of them and their family. Clearly, Vick’s co-defendants didn’t have the same loyalty to him that he had for them.
Michael Vick had a lucrative mutli-year contract with the Falcons for $130 million dollars. He was the number one man on that team. He was the most celebrated, talked-about player on that team… he was a BLACK QUARTERBACK in a league that still has too few. Now he’s going to be a convict. All he had to do was train, keep his body in tip-top shape and play football – nothing else. Think about that. There are people out here who have to brave dangerous jobs… or just plain shitty jobs day in and day out just to earn a pittance of what he was banking. Hell, some people can’t even get jobs! Now that’s all shot to hell. The debate rages on now whether or not he will get to play in the NFL again after he serves his federal sentence, but only time will tell.
Check out Rhymes With Snitch for the transcribed, filled with “you-knows,” apology speech he gave after his plea in court yesterday.
