SI has compiled a list of quotes by people giving their opinion on the Michael Vick case-
“From the moment you read that indictment, it turns your stomach. There’s obviously a great deal of interest in this. It struck very much an emotional chord. We hear our fans very clearly.”
-Roger Goodell, commissioner
“Now, granted he might have been to a dogfight a time or two, maybe five times, maybe 20 times, may have bet some money, but he’s not the one you’re after. He’s not the one you’re after, he’s just the one whose going to take the fall — publicly.”
-Emmitt Smith, former player
“This sort of behavior is really horrific. This is not the player or the person that I knew the last six years.”
-Arthur Blank, Falcons’ owner
“I think he’s got to figure out and find out if he’s got the right people around him, and I’m sure he’s smart enough to know who is good for him and who’s not.”
-Allen Iverson, NBA
“I just wish they’d put him in jail and be done with it. Just put him in prison and tell the general public, just give them all the details of what they do with those dogs.”
-Greg Biffle, NASCAR
“I don’t know if he was fighting dogs or not. But it’s his property; it’s his dogs. If that’s what he wants to do, do it…. I know a lot of back roads that got a dog fight if you want to go see it. But they’re not bothering those people because those people are not big names. I’m sure there’s some police got some dogs that are fighting them, some judges got dogs and everything else.”
-Clinton Portis, RB, Redskins, doesn’t know when to keep his mouth shut
“We’ve had every kind of e-mail you can think of, and they’re not good. They’re not good at all. Obviously this has struck a nerve.”
-Gene Upshaw, NFLPA leader
“Today, we sound a clarion call to all people: Stand up for what is right, and speak out against what is wrong. Dogfighting is unacceptable. Hurting animals for human pleasure or gain is despicable. Cruelty is just plain wrong.”
-PETA
“Sure, I’d do anything I could to help Mike. I think he’s basically a good person. Unfortunately it just seems like he’s made some bad choices over the years with the company he keeps.”
-Dan Reeves, former coach
“What a dog means to Vick might be a lot different than what he means to you or I. Hold on, don’t start shaking your head just yet. Listen to me. Some people kiss their dogs on the mouth. Some people let their dogs eat from their plate. Some people dress their dogs in suits more expensive than mine, if you can believe that. And some people enjoy proving they have the biggest, toughest dog on the street. You’re probably not going to believe this, but I bet Vick loves the dogs that were the biggest and the baddest. Maybe, he identified with them in some way. You can still choose to condemn him, but I’m trying to take you inside his mind so you can understand where he might be coming from.”
-Deion Sanders, former player, NFLN
“It’s a stupid thing to do, obviously. But these guys get so arrogant, they don’t think about it. You got $30 million, $40 million in the bank, they’re on top of the world, no remorse and no one can stop them.”
-LeRoy Butler, former player
“I take these charges very seriously and look forward to clearing my good name. I respectfully ask all of you to hold your judgment until all of the facts are shown. Above all, I would like to say to my mom I’m sorry for what she has had to go through in this most trying of times. It has caused pain to my family and I apologize to my family.”
-The Big Kahuna himself, Michael Vick, dog fighter extraordinaire
