TO Makes Trouble for Vick

I've been staying away from the recent flurry of activity surrounding Michael Vick's attempt to be reinstated into the league. Let's face it, that's really between him and Commissioner Goodell. Has the man faced harsher punishment than most NFL offenders? Absolutely. Has he shown appropriate HONEST remorse (not just a facade in order to come back)? That's a judgement call, and the only person's judgement that matters is Mr Goddell's.

Most people are willing to concede that it is, ultimately, Commissioner Goddell's decision. MOST people, but not Terrell Owens. The always-controversial WR has upped the ante on stupidity this week. Earlier, he had been pleading the case for reinstating Vick. Okay, lots of players and former players were chiming in on this, so one more voice was not unexpected. A couple of days ago, however, TO stated that a failure of Goddell to reinstate Vick would be a demonstration of discrimination against Southern blacks, and that NOT reinstating him would lead TO, in Vick's name, to lead a lawsuit against the league!

Here's TO's reasoning: the attitude of many Southeners is that dog fighting is an acceptable passtime, like hunting. In order to fit in with the rest of the rednecks, Vick had to immerse himself into that world. The brutality and slaughter of weaker dogs was simply part of the dogfighting culture. In other words, TO believes that Vick had no choice but to enter dogfighting.

It should be unnecessary to point out the flaws in TO's "reasoning", as he has proven over the years that thinking is not a skill he does well. However, just for the benefit of the audience out there, let's look at this. For years, the NFL has had teams in traditional "redneck" areas: Atlanta, Texas, New Orleans, and recently Tennessee. NO NFL player has ever been connected to dogfighting; no participating, and certainly not RUNNING it, until Vick. If it was such an ingrained part of redneck society, you'd think we'd have heard about it before now. Besides, I don't think "participating in dogfighting" is one the requirements Jeff Foxworthy has EVER mentioned about "You might be a redneck..."

Thus, TO's argument is crap, and should be ignored. And his recent threat could end up backfiring. Goddell has shown himself to someone who will not be bullied, and pushes back as hard as someone pushes him. TO's threat could be used as a negative against Vick, and could also cause TO some fines or hardships. TO doesn't seem to mind receiving punishment for his actions, but somehow I don't think Vick will remain his friend if this one ends up biting him. Once again, TO acts and talks without thinking. Say, I wonder if a brain scan should be a requirement of TO's physical? I think his stopped working a long time ago.