Analyzing New York Knick Stephon Marbury’s Defense Of Michael VickAugust 23 07 The New York Daily News reports on Stephon Marbury defending Michael Vick: "I think it’s tough," Marbury said to Albany TV station Capital News 9. "I think, you know, we don’t say anything about people who shoot deer or shoot other animals."
"You know, from what I hear, dogfighting is a sport. "I think it’s tough that we build Michael Vick up and then we break him down. I think he’s one of the superb athletes, and he’s a good human being. I just think that he fell into a bad situation." just behind closed doors."
My Quick Take: Commissioner Stern’s newest nightmare: a high-profile NBA player publicly supporting Michael Vick and illegal dog fighting. Stephon Marbury has the right to an opinion. And he has certainly expressed his opinion over the last few months. He talked about playing in Italy. He talked about a range of subjects in an unusual interview with a New York sports show. His alternative views and low-cost Starbury line had turned the guard into a folk hero. However, his support of Vick will compromise whatever good publicity Marbury has received over the last few months. I have no problem with Marbury’s first quote. Fair enough. It’s reasonable to question shooting animals as a sport. However, dogfighting is not a sport. And dog fighting is illegal, while, right or wrong, hunting is not. Marbury is correct when stating that society built Vick up because of his athletic ability. However, the Atlanta quarterback did not fall into the dogfighting ring. He was the dogfighting ring. Reports indicate that Vick organized, financed, and ran the entire operation. I also have to question Marbury’s comments on Vick being a "good person." I don’t know Vick. But I do know that any person who hurts a living animal in such a cruel manner needs help. This point has been overlooked. Forget about Vick’s football career. Forget about the suspension soon to come from the NFL. He needs counseling and help to figure out where these acts came from. Recently, Marbury has made headlines for having different views. Personally, I found some of his opinions refreshing. But his latest counter-culture take will get him in trouble. And I believe it’s justified. What do you think of Stephon Marbury supporting Michael Vick? Get at us in the comment box below with your thoughts.Click here to read and subscribe to Oly Sandor’s NBA Blog.
Posted by
M
on 08.25.2007 | I am a dog owner. I am also an african american who has lived in urban areas where dog fighting is routine and common place. I have owned a total of 3 pit bulls so far and have never ever ever fought any one of them. Why? because I love my dogs. They are members of the family. They jump into bed at night and cuddle up at the foot of the bed and keep my feet warm. Idress them up and take pictues of them on the holidays. I sobbed like a baby when one of my girls was hit by an idiot cruising thru a stop sign. Keeping this in mind Marbury was right about one thing, dog fighting is a sport. It may be an illegal sport that detests many people including myself, but it is a sport. It’s as much as a sport as graffitti is an art. Take that how you want to but it’s a fact. And we shouldn’t be surprised either...we all watch modern day titans put on boxing gloves and beat each other senseless, even going as far as to let holyfield step back into the ring! Boxing is very legal but in some cases much worse because there is no mercy for a boxer that gets pounded constantly for a living, they have to live with the after effects of repeated head trauma from years of fighting. And i’m sure no one bets on those boxing events right? They’re totally clean...yea, sure they are. Now I’m not defending Vick, cause he’s a moron...I mean If I could be making money as an nfl waterboy you couldn’t even catch me jay-walking let alone gambling on dogfights. I simply mention these points to bring up the bigger issue and what I think Marbury was trying to get at but which he failed to convey. The media and sports are the biggest hypocrites there are! I’m not going to even touch on the media because I really do want to quit typing at some point and they provide one too many good examples of hypocracy. Instead I’ll point out that the sport of football did just as marbury said. They built Vick up to tear him down. He was no saint coming into the NFL. He already had a slew of run-ins with the law before being drafted as a rookie. Then as a player for the Falcons one could hardly say the mishaps were toned down at all. I’m all for second chances. Some of the most talented people today owe a second chance to current success.Tim Allen aka Mr. Home Improvement/Mr. Santa Clause/Mr. Big Bucks for Disney himself was a drug runner before finding success in comedy...not that he’s funny, but still good for him. Michael Vick used up his second and third chances long ago but even after the NFL did nothing to curb his antics besides maybe a pathetic slap on the wrist here or there. He was fined yeah...but they gave the man millions, what’s a few pesky thousand here and there. How do you re-work a multi-year, multi million dollar contract like that for a man of his charecter and then feign ignorance when he behaves as he always has? Falcons owner Mr. Blank wants a pity party because he claims vick lied to him about the situation. What I wanna know is, am I the only person who think this team owner was lying to himself? The Falcons and the league made tons of money off of vick and his crazy/delinquent antics and now that he has screwed up so bad that he might not be able to make them any more money, they want nothing to do with him. I don’t feel sorry for vick. He’s a jerk yea, but there are worse. Vick is already getting more press than Rae Carruth and he had his child’s mother murdered to avoid paying support! I’m sure Vick will get what he deserves but I don’t feel sorry for the Falcons or the league either because they’re not victims...those animals are victims and the NFL and Falcons are just as guilty for supporting vick and financing him all those years knowing who he was. I’m willing to bet vick at the very least had teammates who knew of these fights and I wouldn’t be shocked to learn said teammates actually witnessed or bet on fights as well. I find it hard to believe the whole team was clueless. In the end Vick is an idiot and a jerk but Marbury is right on the account that morally it’s really being taken out of hand. Legally though, it’s all spelled out ...he’s guilty and he can’t scramble outta that one. But please chill on the crusade and the moral hoopla because there are more famous, more talented people doing alot worse things to others and themselves at this very moment. . | Posted by
on 08.23.2007 | I didn’t read in here that watching dog fights has been seen to be similar to the beginning of a serial killer. The comment if read again talks about the inhumane killing of animals. Allowing two dogs to fight for their lives and go through tremendous amounts of pain and suffering during the process in order to win a sum of money is the real issue. GAMBLING is also illegal in many states AND is forbidden in the NFL period. If he is found guilty of gambling, then yes, he needs to suffer the consequences, Just as Pete Rose did in MLB. The other issue is Vick’s torturing of animals. Hanging, electricuting, and drowning is torturing an animal and not humane in anyway. I also don’t see where anyone claims that dogs are equal to humans, however activists have been successful in changing laws to protect animals considered to be "household" pets. The issue around hunting, fishing, etc is very different from dog or c---------fighting. Let me remind you all that any form of animal cruelty regardless of its breed is illegal. Even animals bred and raised for food are treated more humanely and when found not to be, the ranchers are usually punished for it. The real issue is a man broke the law. If he wanted to see dog fighting as a sport form then I would suggest that forums and protests be created to retrac the laws forbid the activity, period. Until this happens, it is illegal. If one feels the need to torture animals and watch them fight for a profit when the death of one happens then consider a move to a country that allows this sort of behavior. Vick and his co-defendants need to be penalized for their crimes if they are found guilty, which seems to be the case. What I heard on an ESPN discussion earlier is that Vick will likely be in a position that won’t allow him, if he is not barred from the NFL, to play until around 2009. It is said that by that time his peak will be over and new favorable players will have replaced him. He won’t play more likely because of his sentence timeline rather than for the reason of the NFL decision. . | Posted by
Isaiah Thomas
on 08.23.2007 | Larry, please exhibit some professional courtesy and refrain from commenting on this issue. This commwnt is being handled within the Knicks organization . | Posted by
Larry Brown
on 08.23.2007 | take it from me, I coached him, he’s not a very smart manI think he ment well but this subject is far to complexed for him to understand . | Posted by
rzurzel
on 08.23.2007 | Marbury can say whatever he wants. He stated his opinion about the issue& that’s it. & about the dogfight & hunting...people hunt 4 food OK & they also hunt birds 4 fun-it’s legal & it’s OK right? Dogfight aren’t legal so it’s bad right. Dog’s rights are equal to humans rights right?So explain me why dog’srights are equal to human rights & birds aren’t equal to human & dogs rights???Why hunting is OK? Because birds are smaller than dogs so thay can be killed?It’s just said: dogfights aren’t legal & hunting is legal. Both cocnern killing so both should be wrong. If hunting wasn’t legal then everyone should be shocked that some bird was killed. If dogs are equal to people than every animal should be. Every harm made to any animal should not be tolerated. F@#k that...have some consistency with your thoughts people...!!!And about Vick. He’s a big boy already & he knew what would be the consequences of organizing dogfights. He’s prtesent problems are only his fault. And what was that about rolemodel??? Athletes are rolemodels because often they come from sh1tty life and become rich & respected. Just that Somebody watch Vick playing game don’t mean that he also wants to watch dogs killing themselves and 4 sure watching dogfights doesn’t mean that you are a future or present SERIAL KILLERwhat a stupidity!!!Oh & some smart head wrote that Vick should be out of football 4ever-WHY THE F@#K HE SHOULD? What the f@#k dogs issue has to do with football?!?!?! Vick is a player, he gets pay 4 playing not for rolemodeling or loving animals-hiss fights are illegal OK, he should face the consequencesOK, but it has nothing to do with the game itself. If he would be convicted then->jail->maybe career continuation & if not convicted just play the game & live happy ever after. The whole issue doesn’t concern football at all. and besides the TOPIC...there are much more important crimes in the world than dogfights... . | Posted by
ChampTn
on 08.23.2007 | Dog fighting shouldn’t be illegal in the first place. Hunting, Fishing, Rodeo, Horse racing are all sports and so is dog fighting. PETA, GET A LIFE. . | Posted by
Thiz Argument about dogs is stupid
on 08.23.2007 | regard less dogs r not the same as ppl get that through ya mind and its not like the stone ages because dogs still do that yes i know what im talkin about it says that animals SHOULD BE TREATED AS LEGAL ppl but news flash to u THEY ARENT in ur state they might be publicized on the news but in Mississippi they arent we’ ve got better things to do the only case of animal cruelty we i dont approve of his actions im just standing up 4 him like i said stop callin me ignorant i see is this Vick stuff id appericate it if u stop calling me ignorant because i havent called u out of name second because i see this case differently then u doesnt mean im a serial killer i am ppl friendly i like animals to i have a rottie that i love but me and chasity (dogs name) r not equal what good can u possibly do 4 the dogs they R DEAD . | Posted by
A dog’s voice!
on 08.23.2007 | "This argument about dogs is stupid", you are ignorant. The laws do state that animal cruelty is a punishable offense if you have not paid any attention to the news. Have you even read the law books you are referring to or just blabbing on about something you know absolutely nothing about. As for animals being wild, that time has past, but since you want to refer back to the stone ages there was also a time where humans acted as wild animals and killed one another and sadly enough, this still happens in the world today. Are you going to say this isn’t or shouldn’t be illegal? Laws were created and enforced to protect humans and as time moves forward laws are being developed to protect animal rights as well. And as for protesting against animal rights, you better believe there are protests and current activists working to protect ALL animals. Google "animal rights." The proof of such activity is proven in the laws created that Vick and his co-defendants violated and as for whether he was involved or not you need to WAKE UP, HE was/is the ring leader and he knew full well of what was going on. What is scary, ignorant one, is people like you and Vick are the type that we all should fear. Studies have proven that serial killers began their rampage style actions with inhumane acts of animal cruelty and you, my friend, seem to give the impression that you approve his actions. Again, You should study the laws that protect animals and research animal rights sites before you try and quote laws you know absolutely nothing about. As for singling Vick out, this is not true. There are animal cruelty issues in the news constantly. Vick’s situation is only HUGELY publicized because he created it. If he never started a gambling/dogfighting ring, guess what? He would be the star quarterback that everyone couldn’t wait to see start up in the new season. Maybe you could be his pen pal when he goes to the big house, since you are one of few who appear to condone his actions. . | Posted by
on 08.23.2007 | I think anyone that hurts any animal with any intention of fun is just stupid, I don’t hunt but come from a family that hunts for food and is not wasted. These althetes will probably get a slap on the wrist when in actually they need severe prison time and then time to think about what they were doing, Both of the guys are just plain stupid and hope there careers go to hell and back. I will not support either team due to the comments they both have made. . | Posted by
titi
on 08.23.2007 | i agree with you DC teacher but just like you are having your say Stephon can have his to hess not speaking for the whole NBA he just sharing his thoughs . | Posted by
DC Teacher
on 08.23.2007 | Shame on Vick and Marbury. What type of example are these people to our children? I teach young African American males in high school and these are the sorts of examples that the community can produce? I am sorry. The NAACP needs to back off this case or risk losing its credibility to a bunch of ignorant athletes who feel they can do whatever they want and get away with it. Does Vick think he can just say "I’m sorry" and return to work the next day? No! This isn’t how things work. What sort of message would I be sending my students if I one of them killed our lab’s animals and then allowed them to return the next day without suspension, detention, referral, or a loss of privileges? I am not saying that Michael Vick is completely without rehabilitation, but rehabilitating Michael Vick and giving him a multi-million dollar contract are different. He can recover at a facility and get normal job like every other person. When was the last time Vick or Marbury gave anything to an inner-city public school or cared about the well being of my kids? Ridiculous. These people need to go. The NFL and NBA needs to take out the trash. . | Posted by
DC Teacher
on 08.23.2007 | Marbury should be ashamed for trying to defend Michael Vick’s illegal activities. Vick organized and financed an animal cruelty ring and regardless of whether or not hunting is right or wrong, hunting is legal and dog fighting is illegal. I think Mr. Marbury didn’t read about the fact that Vick executed under-performing dogs! What a shame! Marbury doesn’t speak for the NBA and shouldn’t be allowed to be making such non-sense statements. As an inner-city public school teacher, I am angry that my students, who admire and look up to Vick, will now be disapointed, yet again, by another elite and highly paid athlete who can’t think straight. . | Posted by
Thiz Agurment about dogs is stupid
on 08.23.2007 | A dogs voice shut the f*@k up i can say what the hell iwanna say dogs r wild animals in case u did not know and what did dogs do before they were tammed they hunted and fought to the death the dogs would have been put to death any way because of the viscous nature like i said DOES ANY ONE PAY ANY F@$KEN ATTENTION WHEN THE ANIMAL CRUELTY COPS ARREST SOME ONE FOR DOGFIGHINGDO YALL OPEN UR DAMN MOUTHS THEN DO U PROTEST OUTSIDE THE COURT AND SAY RUDE THINGS NO BUT WHEN VICK DOES IT HE HAS TO BE MADE AND EXAMPLE OUT OF THEY DONT EVEN KNOW IF HE WAS INVOVLED HES ONLY BEING LINKED TO THIS BECAUSE HIS HOUSE NUMBER WAS USED its a dog and dogs dont have the same rightds as humans because no where in any law book does it say that dogs have the same rights as ppl THIS WHOLE VICK STUFF IS NOT IMPORTANT THERS NOTHING U CAN DO TO HELP THE DOGS SOS GET OVER IT . | Posted by
a2g
on 08.23.2007 | dont care wid starbury.!! juz bring BLACKMAMBA to the BULLS!! trade GORDON & THOMAS!!! . | Posted by
Apple Fan
on 08.23.2007 | Marbury is the poster child for the "A college scholarship is a terrible thing to waste" campaign.Let his shoe company hear your thoughts about their front man. customerservice@steveandbarrys.com . | Posted by
A dog’s voice!
on 08.23.2007 | Hmm, seems many people refer to men as dog’s, so why do one more dog in and kill it to (meaning vick). Bye bye VICK, don’t drop your soap in the shower. Whether it was a human or a dog is besides the point. The dogs have no voice and we as humans are responsible to care for them responsibly, not electricute, hang, or drown them because they are not fight worthy. As for "this argument about dogs is stupid", you are ignorant and to put it mildly, half assed about what you think and speak of. Death is death, and done inhumanely and by ways of illegal doings is wrong, PERIOD, I don’t care if it were George Bush or my neighbor who did it, IT IS WRONG and VICK needs to be thrown away and made an example of what happens to people for doing such illegal activities. He didn’t need the money, it was all for fun and he knew what he was doing and thought he was safe and wouldn’t be caught. Guess he should be more careful about who he chooses to associate with if he is going to submit to illegal activities and killings. . | Posted by
wal
on 08.23.2007 | wrong place wrong time wrong decision thats all now he has to pay . | Posted by
Realfalcons
on 08.23.2007 | How about we just kill M. Vick for not performing well enough to get my falcons into the playoffs..hahaha Go J. Harrington! Go falcons and forget vick he is guilty of a thoughtless crime. I have 3 pit bulls and i WOULDN’T TRADE THEM FOR ANYTHING IN THE WORLD. i NEVER LIKE YOU MIKE VICK! Go to hell!!! . | Posted by
ctsportsfan
on 08.23.2007 | It is very clear to anyone with more than a third grade education that you should not ask much more in the way of coments from a dim-witted athlete such as Marbury. After all these athletes with obviously more money than brains think that you have to continue to act like a gutter rat from the hood despite having made your way out through sports. I personally believe that Vick should never be allowed to play football again. After all sports personel have an obligation to be some sort of a role model. I would never buy any products from a sponser that could condone such actions. . | Posted by
Joel Zola
on 08.23.2007 | When idiots say idiotic things, it’s best to laugh. Marbury is an idiot as he has proven time and time again. He should be locked up in a room with 100 pit bulls so he can get eaten alive as should Vick. These guys are losers and wastes of human life. . |
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Oly Sandor | Daily take on NBA Oly Sandor is an NBA analyst and sports journalist based out of Vancouver, Canada.After years of the free-lance game, Oly Sandor is bringing his unique brand of NBA analysis exclusively to (...) More |
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