It is ironic that Falcons star quarterback Michael Vick’s federal guilty plea has divided him as wide as the Red Sea from his football legacy.

Bobble head talk radio hosts, bland television commentators, ESPN puppets and the bevy of the segregated media have casts their stones at him.

Internet web sites are showing dogs with a number seven jersey with a slashed circle like a no-smoking sign to express their dismay of him.

The owner of the Falcons and the NFL kid Commissioner Roger Goodell, who both have already passed judgment against him, are now saying they are waiting to see the actual facts when the sentencing is hammered down.

Individuals who could care less about any animal are now crying about how cruel it was for Vick to have been involved in electrocuting and drowning of pit bulls because they could no longer fight.

Screaming from the bowels of their belly they are fumed even further that gambling was involved, or illegal gambling on the fights that took place.

That obscure animal rights group that rallied in front of the television cameras with their “Sack Vick” signs can go home now with their 15 minutes of fame.

Where are they when horses are being put down on the on thoroughbred racetracks and the dreaded green tarp comes up and the horses are injected with a lethal dose?

Where are these animal rights groups when cows and pigs are slaughtered, chickens chopped, sheep skinned, and elephant tusks pulled ?

I am not here to condone anything that Michael Vick pleaded guilty to, but the same culture his riches allowed him to escape from is what did him in.

Those so-called friends who managed and operated the dog fighting ring while his help finance it with his NFL wad are the same ones who help the feds do him in.

Now, he played a part for sure, but what case would any law enforcement group have without the aid of someone involved in the criminal act itself?

Call them snitches if you will, but if the stitch fits then sew it in.

Often we in the Black community talk about individuals who leave because of their fame and acclaim to a better life and not return to those they grew up with.

Vick’s saga points out a case why they leave, but there are others who frequently return to do good where they grew up.

In neighborhoods throughout America, there is drug dealing, gang shootings, rape, robbery, prostitution and dogfights and they are all bad, but without a famous name they don’t seem to be that significant.

Guess it doesn’t matter if you are not some big sports star?

Vick has learned a valuable lesson that every Black athlete should take heed of. They build you up and when opportunity presents itself they will bring you down, but you’ll have to help them.

Published in : Sports, Editorial