No. 7. Electric. Quick. 1999 Sugar Bowl. Toss those words around to any Virginia Tech football fan, and they'll begin to tell you about one man, Michael Vick.
Often given credit for putting Virginia Tech football on the map a decade ago and turning the Hokies into perennial contenders, his Tech career will leave Hokie fans smiling for years to come.
After making the jump to the NFL after just two years of college football, his name became Mike Vick. Vick enjoyed marginal success with the Falcons in his first few seasons, before leading the Falcons to the NFC Championship game in 2004. Lately however, Vick has been making headlines for the wrong reasons, most recently for his possible role in a dog-fighting operation that allegedly occurred on his property in Smithfield, Va.
Vick's recent string of negative publicity began back in November 2006, after an Atlanta Falcons 31-13 home loss to the New Orleans Saints. Angered by the taunting fans and the Falcons fading playoff hopes, Vick made an obscene gesture directed toward the Georgia Dome fans.
The NFL fined Vick $10,000 for this gesture and after meeting with NFL commissioner and the Falcons owner, Vick apologized publicly, saying, "They both challenged me to be more accountable in all areas of my life. I know I need to make some changes around me to make sure that the people in my life have my best interest at heart. My goal is to not let my fans, my teammates or my coaches down."
In late January, Vick was stopped at the Miami International Airport after security officials found Vick carrying a water bottle that smelled suspicious and contained a secret compartment. Lab tests on the substance found came back negative, and criminal charges were not filed.
A statement faxed to the Associated Press by Vick's attorney, Lawrence H. Woodward Jr, said, "Michael intends to spend this off-season focusing on his family, working with his teammates and the new coaching staff to ensure that the Falcons have a great season in 2007, and devoting time to his charitable interests."
It has been these aforementioned "people" in his life and specifically family member, cousin, Davon Boddie that Vick has recently placed the blame on, regarding the ongoing investigation of the apparent dog fighting operation on Mike Vick's property in south eastern Virginia.
On April 20, Boddie was arrested outside a Hampton night club on charges of marijuana possession with intention to distribute. This resulted in the search warrant that allowed the authorities to search Vick's property, where Boddie was currently living. Over 60 dogs were discovered in the three jet black buildings, located in the forest behind the house. Officials reported that some of the dogs appeared malnourished, scarred and injured. Other clues and objects implying dog fighting were also found on Vick's rural property.
Dog-fighting is felony offense in 48 states and is illegal nationwide. Two primary animal rights groups PETA and the Humane Society of America have each spoken out and requested that a zero tolerance policy be implemented for anyone directly involved in or for anyone who harbors these heinous acts.
Vick spoke immediately after these investigations arose in April, saying, "It's a call for me to really tighten down on who I'm trying to take care of. When it all boils down, people will try to take advantage of you and leave you out to dry."
No formal indictment has been filed, however recent evidence suggests one might be forthcoming. In a recent "Outside the Lines" report by ESPN, a confidential informant was interviewed and said that Vick was a "heavyweight" in dog-fighting circles, claiming that Vick both owned fighting dogs and bet heavily on them. Several other witnesses have also privately come forward to law enforcement agencies regarding Vick's alleged involvement.
Meanwhile, Vick's employer, the Atlanta Falcons, will continue to monitor the situation closely, before deciding to take any action themselves. Last week, Vick reported for the Falcons off-season workouts with a new clean-shaven haircut, which new head Coach Bobby Petrino applauded saying, He looks good, I like it. He's got a big smile on his face and a nice haircut."
