Would you be a happy camper if your dad was like Michael Vick's? What if you were a professional football player and your dad tried to get you sent to jail and banned from playing professional football. Would you be happy? What would these actions do to your declining self esteem? Could you ever forgive your dad once all of this is behind you?
Make no mistake about it, Vick is in a world of trouble. Pending the outcome of his legal battle, he may go to jail and lose his professional football career. Given his lavish spending, the $130 million, ten-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons could dry up faster than one can say Jackie Robinson.
As if this is not enough, his estranged dad is adding to his burden, and while the charges have already been filed, the charges now coming from the dad could have an influence on the judge, a potential jury, and the court of public opinion.
His dad, Michael Boddie, insists that Vick personally staged dogfights. In the Journal-Constitution report, posted on the newspaper’s website, Michael Boddie, estranged from Vick and the quarterback’s mother, said around 2001 his son staged dogfights in the garage of the family home in Newport News, Virginia. He goes on to say that he pleaded with his son to give up dog fighting or at least put the property into someone else’s names to avoid being implicated.
Sounds like dear old dad wanted the house for himself. Boddie told the newspaper that Vick rejected his help and kept fighting dogs in the family’s backyard, including dogs that were “bit up, chewed up, exhausted.” Boddie claimed to have nursed the dogs back to health. The indictment against Vick does not mention the parents’ former home in Newport News.
Boddie must be really pissed off at his son, for he went on in the report to dismiss the idea that Vick’s longtime friends were the main instigators of the dogfighting operation. “I wish people would stop sugarcoating it,” Boddie told The Journal-Constitution. “This is Mike’s thing. And he knows it … likes it, and he has the capital to have a set up like that.”
Article comments
1 - Beth
Regardless of Michael Vick's father's motives, Vick was doing something not only illegal, but also shockingly cruel. If you've ever seen pit bulls fighting, it is to the death, and those that don't make the "cut" are routinely killed in ways to punish the dog. Also, the training involves small animals used as bait to excite the dogs to blood. How about a kitten or puppy on a rope that the "trainer" keeps letting the dogs "taste" (i.e. bite) a little at time. Sound awful? It is. I salute Vick's dad for the courage to stop his son's cruel sense of sport. The animals have no voice but ours. Also, Vick's dad has to know that if Vick is cut from the NFL the money stops.
2 - Jordyn
He deserves to go to jail after what he did.
3 - why you need to know
Vick shouldn't be kicked out because of that. They could have at least suspended him for awhile but he should still keep playing. His dad was kinda sorta right about what he did. Its good he stopped him from fighting dogs but he didnt have to rat him out like that. He should also know that if vick is out that mean he is to, out of a house because who's gonna pay the rent now. Should've thought of that before you ratted on him. Vick you still the man. Hope Brady doesnt take your spot.
4 - Edgar509
he should still play football.he was one of da best players the leauge had.so wat if he killed a cuple dogs.they said there are too many dogs in the world anyway.