Guilty Pleas

Two more of Michael Vick’s co-defendants plead guilty in the dog fighting allegations per ESPN.com. Vick now has 7 witnesses testifying against him. Things are not looking good for him, especially since his co-conspirators are now going to testify against him. Oh how sad his friends are going to testify against him, I feel for him. Not really. What does he expect? These people are being made deals for lesser punishments to testify against him; of course they are going to take the deal when they must all know how guilty they are. How can it get worse? Well, it just might. In Virginia there are charges they may be coming against him any day and one of those possible charges is racketeering. Yes all you Sopranos fans remember the term “RICO?” Well Vick may be prosecuted for that. (RICO is the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act). Vick is getting what he deserves. People are too easy on celebrities and entertainers and they start to think they are above the law. Vick is going to be a prime example of how just because you are famous does not mean you are above the law. ESPN.com feels Vick may enter a plea of guilty in the next few days.

A Not So Shiny Summer for Pro Sports

I have been a rabid sports fan for a pretty long time, during this obsession I have seen many unbelievable games and stories related to sports both positive and negative. But in all of the years I have followed sports, I can not recall a worse time in sports in general than what is happening right now.

In the three biggest professional sports leagues there are major conflicts occurring that is hurting the reputation of there own respective sports league and in all of sports in general. In Major League Baseball there is the on going steroid investigation involving Barry Bonds that has been going on the least few years. This problem has caused many analysts inside baseball to name this period in the majors as the "steroid era." In the NFL, Michael Vick, a star quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, is being federally investigated for dog fighting. Vick is likely to face a suspension for the upcoming season. And finally in the NBA, official Tim Donaghy is being investigated for betting on league games, and even influencing the outcome to some games he worked.

For the first time in my life I would not willingly admit that I am a sports nut. These problems are not only embarrassing for the leagues, but disheartening to the fans. This situation has caused me to ask, "How can it get this bad?" How do all of these situations reflect on us on society? It will be interesting to see how every one of these stories will progress, as well as, to see what steps every league in professional sports takes to clean up after them selves. Realistically, I do not see leagues getting better before I see them getting worse, but as a fan I will hope that the sun will shine again on the reputation of professional sports.

Desperate Times Call for Lazy Measures

Has anyone opened the sports page lately? Maybe frequented the most popular sports websites? How about tuned into your favorite sports talk show?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you're probably horrified beyond belief at the extensive coverage sports' recent misconduct cases are receiving. Seriously, every time I flip on the tube, pick up the sports page or tune into a sports talk radio show, I cross my fingers and pray that I will not hear the names Michael Vick or Tim Donaghy. Call me crazy, but don't ESPN and publications across the nation have any other material, because this repeating track is getting a bit old.

It may only be at the collegiate level, but I have some experience in sports media. For the most part, all levels of newpapering follow the same core principles, so I understand the excessive coverage to a degree. However, another primary rule of thumb for journalists is to search and probe for the next great story. Personally, I haven't witnessed much scouring for further details or evidence in the Vick or Donaghy cases.

Instead I've observed extended periods of journalists silently sitting on their hands, waiting for the next press release or personal statement to surface. Once NBA Commissioner David Stern speaks or Falcons' Owner Arthur Blank provides his opinion, the writers can snatch their laptops and peck away, producing another story to belabor the point that Vick's acts were heartless and Donaghy is a gambling fool.

From a fellow sports writer's perspective, these journalists and columnists should find another angle, or jump ship and cover a different story all together. It's not that difficult to explore alternatives. Actually, it's quite refreshing. These guys should give it s try, because the stereotype that sports writers are lazy and unmotivated is evolving by the minute.

Nike suspends Air Zoom Vick V

Nike suspended the release of Michael Vick’s shoe, Air Zoom Vick V, until he is either proven innocent or guilty of the indictments of dog fighting. Nike will keep his four other shoes and three t-shirts on the store floors. I think Nike is taking the right action in this case. Instead of being rash and pulling his shoe permanently and all of his other merchandise, they are giving him the benefit of the doubt with the innocent until proven guilty. However, if found guilty, Vick’s shoe should not be released and the rest of his products should be pulled from the stores. If Nike does not take such an action they will be sending out the message that they care more about the “bottom line” (their financial gain) instead of what is ethically right. Nike is too well respected of a company to allow themselves to make money off of a person who conducts themselves in such a egocentric manner. There is no defense for Vick and his actions because cruelty to animals is barbaric and disgusting. By Vick engaging in such a thing like dog fighting shows how he has no conscience. Yes this sounds harsh but the fact of the matter is he allowed dogs to rip each other to shreds without one sense of remorse, and I can say he had so sense of remorse because he did it in the first place! Dog fighting generally has bets placed therefore Vick could also be gaining money on this! I do not understand why there is such a hype and excitement in such a disgusting and threatening act such as dog fighting.

Third Time Could be a Charm for Harrington

Since the grand jury's recent indictment of Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick for an alleged dogfighting operation on property owned by Vick in Virginia, questions have been circulating if he will in fact be participating in the 2007-2008 season. If Vick is in fact convicted of the crimes that he has been accused of, he will with out a doubt be facing some time behind bars. And the way it is looking Vick is in a serious predicament because for the grand jury to indite an individual they must have a strong case against him. Not to mention, they grand jury hardly looses on cases like this.

The situation that Vick is faced with could potentially end his lack luster NFL career. The question that remains to be addressed is who will be the quarterback that fills Vick's shoes while he is stuck in his troubles? Well, luckily the Oregon native quarterback Joey Harrington was recently signed to be a backup to Michael Vick following the trade of Matt Schaub. Many sports analysts have considered him one of the biggest draft busts in recent NFL history after being picked with the third pick in the 2002 NFL draft. But he now has a chance of a lifetime to restore his career if he can act on the oportunities that have been presented to him.

Not only is everyone in this nation hoping the Vick gets time inn the slammer, but Harrington must be jumping up and down after hearing about the recent indictment of Vick. Finally, Harrington has a chance to play with a team that has talent that can back him up during the up and coming season. Vick isn't the only story that will be interesting to see how it pans out, it will also be fun to see if Harrington can jump start his career from the misfortune of the alleged dog fighter.