The recent news concerning NFL quarterback Michael Vick has not been good. The exciting and extremely talented Atlanta Falcons mega-star is being investigated for allowing, and possibly taking part in, dogfighting on his property.
Now let me be perfectly clear on this: Vick has not been convicted of a crime as of yet, so he is indeed innocent until proven guilty. But I have a hard time believing his excuse that some of his relatives had taken advantage of his kindness and allowed the sickening activity to take place while he was not on the premises. More than fifty live pit bulls were found on Vick’s 15-acre property in Virginia, not to mention numerous dead dog carcasses buried throughout the grounds.
It is hard to imagine how a highly successful, disciplined athlete like Michael Vick could ever allow himself to enjoy watching two dogs fighting to the death or until one was unable to continue. And it is just as hard for me to believe – even if he did not watch the horrific and senseless matches as they were taking place – Vick didn’t know something strange was going on.
When I was young, I watched professional football games and dreamed of one day becoming a National Football League quarterback. Millions of children have shared my dream over the years.
Watching Michael Vick, on a Sunday afternoon, scramble away from tacklers as he looked for an open teammate to pass the football to has always been a joy to watch. Today, I wonder exactly how this wealthy quarterback is going to scramble out of the legal mess he has buried himself in.
All that money, all that fame, and yet this man who millions of fans couldn’t get enough of seeing on TV may soon be seriously sacked by the federal government of the United States. Perhaps the successful journey of Michael Vick to the top of the professional sport’s world gave him a false sense of invincibility. Consider what Proverbs tell us about wealth without responsibility: “A man’s riches may ransom his life, but a poor man hears no threat.” (Proverbs 13:8 NIV)
On the slight chance Vick was actually unaware of what some of his relatives were doing on his property while he was away, Proverbs also has an answer for that scenario: “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.” (Proverbs 13:20 NIV)
I pray Michael Vick gets back on the straight and narrow. I also pray that this high profile case results in more convictions and interventions wherever the hideous practice of dogfighting exist.
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