Written by Wendall Stevens
Lets start with Vick the athlete. Since exploding onto the national scene as a redshirt freshmen quarterback at Virginia Tech with incredible God-given athletic gifts, Vick has become one of the most recognized and wealthiest athletes in the world. Vick put the the Virginia Tech Hokies football program on the map. He is arguably the most popular and decorated player in the Atlanta Falcons' 40 year history, even more so than Deion Sanders.
Let's talk about the money. As a rookie, Vick signed a $62 million deal which was subsequently followed up with a 10 year $130 million contract in 2004. That's a lot of cheddar. Forbes Magazine once ranked Vick the 19th wealthiest pro athlete in 2005 with estimated earnings of over $37 million. Two years ago, Vick had the number two selling jersey in the NFL. His Nike Zoom football shoes flew off the shelves. Remember the hugely popular "Michael Vick Experience" commercials? Now this.
Let's talk about the allegations. According to reports, pit bull terriers were bred to
participate in a dogfighting operation on Vick's property in Surry, VA. Allegations include
the property had what called a "rape stand" for aggressive dogs to mate. There were also
allegations that defeated animals were executed by electricution or drowning. According
to witnesses Vick allegedly knew about the operation. Vick declares his innocence so
the case will go to trial in late November. When it rain it pours.
Nike has suspended the release of his new shoe and Reebok has suspended all sales
of the number 7 jersey of the Atlanta Falcons quarterback. Does Vick's fall from grace
sound familiar?? H-E-L-L-O! Kobe, H-E-L-L-O OJ! Both were proven innocent of the charges
brought against them but their images were tarnished forever. Kobe has recovered some of
his luster thru sheer athletic brilliance but he could have been a much larger figure.
They say the bigger you are the harder you fall. That rings so true in Vick's case. Although Vick himself has not been convicted of anything, he has already been tried in the court of public opinion. Vick's life and name (which is really all you have anyway) will change forever. This case has done more to expose dogfighting than any 60 Minutes or Discovery Channel documentary in history can do. You know how long dogfighting has been going on?? Centuries.
I have interviewed people about this case who don't have an opinion and those that say Vick is a celebrity with too much money and too much time on his hands. The latter maybe true but I hope Vick, now during the prime of his athletic career at the age of 27, realizes the significance of this and carefully moves forward in an attempt to restore his family's name. He may have to leave the Falcons and start fresh with a new team and new environment assuming there is no conviction.
I hope Vick realizes that the forces that built him up can work against him and tear him down. You see how Nike suspended the release of Vick's new shoes because of fear of reprisal from Animal Rights activists?? If Nike truly believes in due process why wait?? He hasn't been convicted of anything. The trial is set for Nov 26, football season will almost be over. You think if Vick is found not guilty his image is going to get any better or does Nike think Vick's going down? With the first sign of trouble endorsers scramble like roaches. On the surface we all know it's a business move but Reebok stayed with Iverson throughout his
legal ordeals.
You see how vigorously the Feds came after Vick?? In these days of CNN, MSNBC, ESPN, the internet, everything you do can be exposed in a blink of an eye. If you're a big money baller, a bullseye is on your back. Every major and small media outlet looking to make a name for themselves by breaking a story is ready for any indescretion. Heck, anyone with a camera phone can catch a superstar athlete in a compromising position and upload it to a blog or photo sharing site and expose you to the world.
It's a shame that an athlete of Vick's stature has had such public relations gaffes the past couple years. Mike is gonna need all his elusiveness in the pocket and then some this time however.
Virginia Tech nation and anyone else sound off on what you think about the Vick incident. I will post comments at a later date.
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