Michael Vick's Career Is Over

Michael Vick’s journey to federal prison began on March 2, 1999, when he was 18 years old. At 10:45 a.m., a blue Ford Econoline van with Virginia plates and a dangling pinetree air freshener got stopped for speeding one mile north of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, going 65 in a 55mph zone. The driver, Jose Rivera—who listed his occupation as dog breeder—was headed home to Surry County, he said. He grew nervous as Officer Mark Wendel asked questions, squirming in his seat, wiping his palms on his trousers.

When Wendel asked to search the van, Rivera stuttered, "S-S-Sure," records show. In the back, behind a built-in TV set, Wendel and other officers found two kilos of cocaine, worth $240,000 on the street, and a half kilo of heroin, worth $120,000.

Michael Vick had no connection with this bust, nor with the three men in the van. He was the furthest thing from anyone’s mind. The bust received little mention in the press, just another footnote in the New York-to-Tidewater drug flow.

Yet the stop would have everything to do with the fate of the young star.

It is a long road from New York City to the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. Rivera, and his companions who were not charged, had been driving on Route 13 since 4 a.m. A driver stares down the highway: the white line flashes up, accompanied by the asphalt’s whine. It is easy to grow hypnotized, to let the speed creep up, to miss the watcher hidden beside the road.

On March 2, 1999, Michael Vick had the whole world before him. His talent on the high school gridiron had catapulted him from the crime-ridden projects of Newport News’ East End, known in hip-hop culture as "Bad Newz," to a scholarship at Virginia Tech. In his first game he scored three touchdowns in a little over a quarter of play. The last TD ended in a flip, showmanship that injured his ankle and forced him out for the rest of the game. But in 2000, he’d propel the Hokies to the Sugar Bowl and finish third in Heisman Trophy balloting.

He was two years away from signing as a quarterback with the Atlanta Falcons in the 2001 draft, five years away from becoming the first player in NFL history to rush 100 yards and pass for 250 yards in a single game. That same year, in 2004, he would sign a 10-year contract with the Falcons for $130 million, making him the highest-paid NFL player at the time.

He could not know that this bust would become the first in a series of incidents that would ultimately bring him down. No one foresaw that papers in the van would draw attention to a Surry dog breeder named Benjamin D. Butts; that one day Vick would hire Butts to train pitbulls for fights to the death; that along with his equipment and expertise, Butts brought unwanted police attention to Vick’s Surry County mansion.

The April 2007 search of Vick’s property would result in his 23-month sentence in Leavenworth Penitentiary’s minimum-security unit for involvement in an interstate dogfighting ring called Bad Newz Kennels and his loss of millions in cancelled contracts, defaulted loans, and court-ordered payments and fines. The charges resulted in the firing of a respected narcotics officer, in a flood of accusations alleging favoritism of Vick by the county prosecutor and sheriff. Racism roiled this rural country. Reporters descended like flies; neighbor turned against neighbor. Butts would miss the excitement. By then, he was dead.

No one foresaw any of this. Route 13 is long, and drivers get careless. The voyage from poverty to millions passes fast, and one grows cocky. Blood sports are held at night, when the path is dark and dim.

One rarely sees so far.

Michael Vick’s journey to federal prison began on March 2, 1999, when he was 18 years old. At 10:45 a.m., a blue Ford Econoline van with Virginia plates and a dangling pinetree air freshener got stopped for speeding one mile north of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, going 65 in a 55mph zone. The driver, Jose Rivera—who listed his occupation as dog breeder—was headed home to Surry County, he said. He grew nervous as Officer Mark Wendel asked questions, squirming in his seat, wiping his palms on his trousers.

When Wendel asked to search the van, Rivera stuttered, "S-S-Sure," records show. In the back, behind a built-in TV set, Wendel and other officers found two kilos of cocaine, worth $240,000 on the street, and a half kilo of heroin, worth $120,000.

Michael Vick had no connection with this bust, nor with the three men in the van. He was the furthest thing from anyone’s mind. The bust received little mention in the press, just another footnote in the New York-to-Tidewater drug flow.

Yet the stop would have everything to do with the fate of the young star.

It is a long road from New York City to the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. Rivera, and his companions who were not charged, had been driving on Route 13 since 4 a.m. A driver stares down the highway: the white line flashes up, accompanied by the asphalt’s whine. It is easy to grow hypnotized, to let the speed creep up, to miss the watcher hidden beside the road.

On March 2, 1999, Michael Vick had the whole world before him. His talent on the high school gridiron had catapulted him from the crime-ridden projects of Newport News’ East End, known in hip-hop culture as "Bad Newz," to a scholarship at Virginia Tech. In his first game he scored three touchdowns in a little over a quarter of play. The last TD ended in a flip, showmanship that injured his ankle and forced him out for the rest of the game. But in 2000, he’d propel the Hokies to the Sugar Bowl and finish third in Heisman Trophy balloting.

He was two years away from signing as a quarterback with the Atlanta Falcons in the 2001 draft, five years away from becoming the first player in NFL history to rush 100 yards and pass for 250 yards in a single game. That same year, in 2004, he would sign a 10-year contract with the Falcons for $130 million, making him the highest-paid NFL player at the time.

He could not know that this bust would become the first in a series of incidents that would ultimately bring him down. No one foresaw that papers in the van would draw attention to a Surry dog breeder named Benjamin D. Butts; that one day Vick would hire Butts to train pitbulls for fights to the death; that along with his equipment and expertise, Butts brought unwanted police attention to Vick’s Surry County mansion.

The April 2007 search of Vick’s property would result in his 23-month sentence in Leavenworth Penitentiary’s minimum-security unit for involvement in an interstate dogfighting ring called Bad Newz Kennels and his loss of millions in cancelled contracts, defaulted loans, and court-ordered payments and fines. The charges resulted in the firing of a respected narcotics officer, in a flood of accusations alleging favoritism of Vick by the county prosecutor and sheriff. Racism roiled this rural country. Reporters descended like flies; neighbor turned against neighbor. Butts would miss the excitement. By then, he was dead.

No one foresaw any of this. Route 13 is long, and drivers get careless. The voyage from poverty to millions passes fast, and one grows cocky. Blood sports are held at night, when the path is dark and dim.

One rarely sees so far.

Oh boy what a begin the begin!

Guys, the trolls love nothing MORE than to see rift between animal lovers. We all have personal opinions that on another forum we may not even like each other at all. For example Enoch, is ANTI-GAY. some of our posters are pro prop 8. Only an example. But here we are all anti-animal abuse! Just saying....
Until the 20th when the fat P rick is released we HAVE to stick together!Pretty please!

Skeptical you Betcha wrote:

<quoted text>
When things do not suit you,Play the race card uh?
Its an old trick...And a lot of people are very,very tired of it!!

Why do you keep bringing up this race card bullshyt? Is that the only way YOU have to answer my question? The PROBLEM I have, you condescending jerk, is that you keep implying that the persons' bad behaviour stems from the persons' racial make-up. And you're damn right, I don't appreciate that shyt! How in the hell am I playing a race card? I would be doing that crap IF I was defending Vick!!

Why is everybody hatin on Vick so much. man, I know what he did was wrong ( I LOVE DOGS) but there is much more serious stuff to talk about in this world. And athletes do MUCH worse crap and get away with it. Let up on the poor guy. Hes done his time. Hes took his punishment. Geeze let up on the guy.

IF WE DO NOT STRAIGHTEN UP OUR TOTALLY F..G UP
MINORITY GROUPS,BLACK AND HISPANIC,THE TWO MAIN
PERPS,IN DOG FIGHTING,WE WILL NEVER END THIS TRAGIC MINDLESS,3RD WORLD PROBLEMS,DRUGS,GANGS,
THUG CULTURE.
<<<<<<<QU OTE>>>>

Dude there is no point in bringing race into this. What about the completely F**ked up rednecks that live all over my city? There are plenty of F**ked up whites,blacks,hispanics and whatever other race,religion, or whatever. This has nothing to do with race.

Whats with you and all caps. Quit shouting.

It's horrible and irresponsible dog owners such as Vick and Tant that make pit bulls look bad. There should be no reason Vick should get less time than Tant. I see that someone was hurt on Tant's property, but that person should have known that was going to happen since the dogs were TRAINED TO ATTACK. I hope both of them are charged to the full extent of the law (state,fed) because these types make it hard for pit owners like me to live in peace. They should never be able to own a dog again be it pit or lab or chihuahua. People who train dogs to be dog/human aggressive should be put in prison or jail for taking the good character animals are born with away. It's like teaching your new baby to shoot a gun. He can take his career and kiss it goodbye!

Skeptical you Betcha wrote:

Michael Vick’s journey to federal prison began on March 2, 1999, when he was 18 years old. At 10:45 a.m., a blue Ford Econoline van with Virginia plates and a dangling pinetree air freshener got stopped for speeding one mile north of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, going 65 in a 55mph zone. The driver, Jose Rivera—who listed his occupation as dog breeder—was headed home to Surry County, he said. He grew nervous as Officer Mark Wendel asked questions, squirming in his seat, wiping his palms on his trousers.
When Wendel asked to search the van, Rivera stuttered, "S-S-Sure," records show. In the back, behind a built-in TV set, Wendel and other officers found two kilos of cocaine, worth $240,000 on the street, and a half kilo of heroin, worth $120,000.
Michael Vick had no connection with this bust, nor with the three men in the van. He was the furthest thing from anyone’s mind. The bust received little mention in the press, just another footnote in the New York-to-Tidewater drug flow.
Yet the stop would have everything to do with the fate of the young star.
It is a long road from New York City to the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. Rivera, and his companions who were not charged, had been driving on Route 13 since 4 a.m. A driver stares down the highway: the white line flashes up, accompanied by the asphalt’s whine. It is easy to grow hypnotized, to let the speed creep up, to miss the watcher hidden beside the road.
On March 2, 1999, Michael Vick had the whole world before him. His talent on the high school gridiron had catapulted him from the crime-ridden projects of Newport News’ East End, known in hip-hop culture as "Bad Newz," to a scholarship at Virginia Tech. In his first game he scored three touchdowns in a little over a quarter of play. The last TD ended in a flip, showmanship that injured his ankle and forced him out for the rest of the game. But in 2000, he’d propel the Hokies to the Sugar Bowl and finish third in Heisman Trophy balloting.
He was two years away from signing as a quarterback with the Atlanta Falcons in the 2001 draft, five years away from becoming the first player in NFL history to rush 100 yards and pass for 250 yards in a single game. That same year, in 2004, he would sign a 10-year contract with the Falcons for $130 million, making him the highest-paid NFL player at the time.
He could not know that this bust would become the first in a series of incidents that would ultimately bring him down. No one foresaw that papers in the van would draw attention to a Surry dog breeder named Benjamin D. Butts; that one day Vick would hire Butts to train pitbulls for fights to the death; that along with his equipment and expertise, Butts brought unwanted police attention to Vick’s Surry County mansion.
The April 2007 search of Vick’s property would result in his 23-month sentence in Leavenworth Penitentiary’s minimum-security unit for involvement in an interstate dogfighting ring called Bad Newz Kennels and his loss of millions in cancelled contracts, defaulted loans, and court-ordered payments and fines. The charges resulted in the firing of a respected narcotics officer, in a flood of accusations alleging favoritism of Vick by the county prosecutor and sheriff. Racism roiled this rural country. Reporters descended like flies; neighbor turned against neighbor. Butts would miss the excitement. By then, he was dead.
No one foresaw any of this. Route 13 is long, and drivers get careless. The voyage from poverty to millions passes fast, and one grows cocky. Blood sports are held at night, when the path is dark and dim.
One rarely sees so far.
Oh boy what a begin the begin!

there's some very interesting stories about this Butts guy. Wish i had time to google it. Later i will.

Bad Newz no more wrote:

Guys, the trolls love nothing MORE than to see rift between animal lovers. We all have personal opinions that on another forum we may not even like each other at all. For example Enoch, is ANTI-GAY. some of our posters are pro prop 8. Only an example. But here we are all anti-animal abuse! Just saying....
Until the 20th when the fat P rick is released we HAVE to stick together!Pretty please!

Almost immediately. Guys, just because they don't post a couple of days doesn't mean they aren't here waiting like vultures.....We need EVERY VOICE FOR THE ANIMALS. THEY HAVE NO VOICE BUT OURS

Rose M wrote:

It's horrible and irresponsible dog owners such as Vick and Tant that make pit bulls look bad. There should be no reason Vick should get less time than Tant. I see that someone was hurt on Tant's property, but that person should have known that was going to happen since the dogs were TRAINED TO ATTACK. I hope both of them are charged to the full extent of the law (state,fed) because these types make it hard for pit owners like me to live in peace. They should never be able to own a dog again be it pit or lab or chihuahua. People who train dogs to be dog/human aggressive should be put in prison or jail for taking the good character animals are born with away. It's like teaching your new baby to shoot a gun. He can take his career and kiss it goodbye!

Absolutely!

Patriot from Ohio wrote:

IF WE DO NOT STRAIGHTEN UP OUR TOTALLY F..G UP
MINORITY GROUPS,BLACK AND HISPANIC,THE TWO MAIN
PERPS,IN DOG FIGHTING,WE WILL NEVER END THIS TRAGIC MINDLESS,3RD WORLD PROBLEMS,DRUGS,GANGS,
THUG CULTURE.
<<<<<<<QU OTE>>>>
Dude there is no point in bringing race into this. What about the completely F**ked up rednecks that live all over my city? There are plenty of F**ked up whites,blacks,hispanics and whatever other race,religion, or whatever. This has nothing to do with race.
Whats with you and all caps. Quit shouting.

Try to comprehend before making your self look stupid Dude!!!
F WE DO NOT STRAIGHTEN UP OUR TOTALLY F..G UP
MINORITY GROUPS,BLACK AND HISPANIC,THE TWO MAIN
PERPS,IN DOG FIGHTING!

Rose M wrote:

<quoted text>there's some very interesting stories about this Butts guy. Wish i had time to google it. Later i will.

In 2006, there were about 120 cases of suspected dog fighting in the United States, according to a Pet-Abuse.com , which tracks animal-cruelty reports.

Five cases were in Virginia -- two in Richmond and one each in Chesapeake, Virginia Beach and Rural Retreat, a town of about 1,400 people about 60 miles southwest of Blacksburg.

Its database is compiled through media coverage and law- enforcement reports, but it's not mandatory to report dog fighting, said Mark Kumpf, a Pet-Abuse.com board member.

The Humane Society of the United States estimates nationwide there are 20,000 professional dog fighters -- who usually keep 20 or more dogs.

Dog fighting is illegal in all 50 states.

In Virginia, it's widespread but doesn't appear to be on the rise, said Kevin Kilgore. He's president of the Virginia Animal Control Association and the chief animal control officer for Hanover County, in suburban Richmond.

It's usually more prevalent in Virginia's urban areas, Kilgore said.

In Richmond, for example, dog owners will keep the dogs in rural areas during the day and transport them into the city at night to fight, Kilgore said.

Half of Virginia's 24 cases listed on Pet-Abuse.com since 2000 were in Hampton Roads, including Surry, which isn't always considered part of the larger region.

The Virginia Animal Fighting Task Force sprouted last year from the Virginia Animal Control Association to help with animal-fighting investigations. Sometimes, law enforcement may not know the signs of dog fighting or what kind of evidence to gather, Kilgore said, and that's where the task force can help.

Surry's last case was in 2000, when 33 malnourished pit bulls were found at Ben Butts' house in central Surry. But charges were dropped when a judge ruled the raid illegal because investigators hadn't obtained a search warrant.

Poindexter said he must sort through who might be involved in the investigation at Vick's former property and whether there's enough evidence to bring charges against each of them. Six to 10 people have lived or worked there over the years.

The prosecutor said he plans to have the attorney general's office review the evidence after Monday's meeting. "I don't think we'll be at a place on Monday to determine who all the defendants might be," Poindexter said.

There you go,Sugar!

Its database is compiled through media coverage and law- enforcement reports, but it's not mandatory to report dog fighting, said Mark Kumpf, a Pet-Abuse.com board member.

Great the effort the Authorities put into the dog
fighting issues UH???

Skeptical you Betcha wrote:

<quoted text>
In 2006, there were about 120 cases of suspected dog fighting in the United States, according to a Pet-Abuse.com , which tracks animal-cruelty reports.
Five cases were in Virginia -- two in Richmond and one each in Chesapeake, Virginia Beach and Rural Retreat, a town of about 1,400 people about 60 miles southwest of Blacksburg.
Its database is compiled through media coverage and law- enforcement reports, but it's not mandatory to report dog fighting, said Mark Kumpf, a Pet-Abuse.com board member.
The Humane Society of the United States estimates nationwide there are 20,000 professional dog fighters -- who usually keep 20 or more dogs.
Dog fighting is illegal in all 50 states.
In Virginia, it's widespread but doesn't appear to be on the rise, said Kevin Kilgore. He's president of the Virginia Animal Control Association and the chief animal control officer for Hanover County, in suburban Richmond.
It's usually more prevalent in Virginia's urban areas, Kilgore said.
In Richmond, for example, dog owners will keep the dogs in rural areas during the day and transport them into the city at night to fight, Kilgore said.
Half of Virginia's 24 cases listed on Pet-Abuse.com since 2000 were in Hampton Roads, including Surry, which isn't always considered part of the larger region.
The Virginia Animal Fighting Task Force sprouted last year from the Virginia Animal Control Association to help with animal-fighting investigations. Sometimes, law enforcement may not know the signs of dog fighting or what kind of evidence to gather, Kilgore said, and that's where the task force can help.
Surry's last case was in 2000, when 33 malnourished pit bulls were found at Ben Butts' house in central Surry. But charges were dropped when a judge ruled the raid illegal because investigators hadn't obtained a search warrant.
Poindexter said he must sort through who might be involved in the investigation at Vick's former property and whether there's enough evidence to bring charges against each of them. Six to 10 people have lived or worked there over the years.
The prosecutor said he plans to have the attorney general's office review the evidence after Monday's meeting. "I don't think we'll be at a place on Monday to determine who all the defendants might be," Poindexter said.
There you go,Sugar!

Thanks honey!
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/no-nfl-for-m...

Rose M wrote:

It's horrible and irresponsible dog owners such as Vick and Tant that make pit bulls look bad. There should be no reason Vick should get less time than Tant. I see that someone was hurt on Tant's property, but that person should have known that was going to happen since the dogs were TRAINED TO ATTACK. I hope both of them are charged to the full extent of the law (state,fed) because these types make it hard for pit owners like me to live in peace. They should never be able to own a dog again be it pit or lab or chihuahua. People who train dogs to be dog/human aggressive should be put in prison or jail for taking the good character animals are born with away. It's like teaching your new baby to shoot a gun. He can take his career and kiss it goodbye!

Authorities are seeking two men identified as persons of interest in a weekend incident in which a pickup truck dragged a dog tied to its bumper along at least two South Vineland streets.
Advertisement
Click Here! Quantcast
The Cumberland County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals identified the men as Omar Davis of Elmer Road and Kenneth Robinson, address unknown, also of Vineland.
RELATED
* Owner: Dog stolen before dragged
* Former owner of pit bull dragged by pick up truck is located
* Police search for pickup driver who dragged tethered pit bull
Bev Greco, executive director of the SPCA, said the dog’s previous owner gave it to Davis about two weeks ago after she lost her home. The woman had obtained the dog from Davis a few years ago.
People questioned about the incident told SPCA investigators that Robinson might also have had the dog in his possession, according to Greco.
The SPCA is asking the two men to come forward with any information they might have about the whereabouts of the dog before the incident.
The dog, a 1-and-a-half-year-old chocolate mixed breed named Reese, was re-examined by a veterinarian this morning and will undergo surgery this afternoon to close some of her wounds and further address her road burns, according to Greco.
A South Vineland resident called 9-1-1 at 10:05 p.m. Saturday to report a truck was dragging the dog as the vehicle traveled east on Elmer Road and turned left onto East Avenue. Police were unable to locate the truck or the dog Saturday night.
A resident of the 1400 block of South East Avenue found the injured dog on his porch with a pink jump rope tied around its neck shortly before 8 a.m. Sunday, according to a police report.
Greco said authorities don’t know how far the dog was dragged, and are still trying to determine if this was an incident of shocking cruelty or if the driver simply was unaware the dog was tied to the moving vehicle.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Omar Davis or Kenneth Robinson, or about the incident, is asked to call the Cumberland County Spca.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Omar Davis or Kenneth Robinson, or about the incident, is asked to call the Cumberland County Spca.

Please people call them in..If you know their whereabouts?

Skeptical you Betcha wrote:

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Omar Davis or Kenneth Robinson, or about the incident, is asked to call the Cumberland County Spca.
Please people call them in..If you know their whereabouts?

As a real estate investor and auto dealer, Eison, 41, values aggression in his dogs for protecting both himself and his property. "My dogs are my pistols," he says, cracking a gold-tooth smile. "I have my dogs on my property, and I have faith in them. If they're coming at you, you have to shoot them to kill them."

Tough people want tough dogs, but if you want a truly vicious dog you have to create it yourself. With his latest litter of three girls and a boy, Eison is trying to re-create a bloodline of fighting dogs he owned 20 years ago (though he insists his fighting days are long over). He's making a stud dog out of his prized companion Rock, an eerily silent pit bull with a golden brown coat and pink nose. Rock's first litter was born in early May, and Eison watched its progress daily to see which of the puppies would develop more of their father's traits.
Related Content
Related Stories ...

* Letters
August 30, 2005
* Letters
November 22, 2005

More About ...

* Tyler Eison
* Steve Zawistowski
* Joyce Clemmons
* Pets
* Dogs

Eison kennels the pups in a fenced-in corner of his backyard, in a quiet neighborhood of single-family homes in St. Albans, Queens. When the dogs get older, he'll move them to another house nearby, where his wife and stepchildren live, and where he keeps his adult dogs—a Cane Corso and three pit bulls—in large pens out back. He has three more dogs, two Cane Corsos and a Rottweiler, at friends' houses.

Hoping to turn Rock's offspring into deadly weapons, Eison started antagonizing them when they were around nine weeks old. One afternoon he held an all-brown puppy by its midsection and for several minutes forced it to lie across the neck of one its sisters, who Eison believes might be the pick of the litter. Eison didn't think the brown pup was willing enough to play rough, so he decided to force it into a scrum. After a minute or so, its sister became angry and began to growl and bite the brown one's ears. After the incident the brown puppy cowered under a metallic-blue racing motorcycle Eison keeps in the backyard and peed.

Check this guy out??? Talk about problems in the making??

Try to comprehend before making your self look stupid Dude!!!
F WE DO NOT STRAIGHTEN UP OUR TOTALLY F..G UP
MINORITY GROUPS,BLACK AND HISPANIC,THE TWO MAIN
PERPS,IN DOG FIGHTING!
<<<<<<<QU OTE>>>>

And.....yes? Who needs to comprehend? You do you idiot. And that wasn't the whole thing either pal:

IF WE DO NOT STRAIGHTEN UP OUR TOTALLY F..G UP
MINORITY GROUPS,BLACK AND HISPANIC,THE TWO MAIN
PERPS,IN DOG FIGHTING,WE WILL NEVER END THIS TRAGIC MINDLESS,3RD WORLD PROBLEMS,DRUGS,GANGS,
THUG CULTURE.

What the **** is YOUR problem dude?

Patriot from Ohio wrote:

Try to comprehend before making your self look stupid Dude!!!
F WE DO NOT STRAIGHTEN UP OUR TOTALLY F..G UP
MINORITY GROUPS,BLACK AND HISPANIC,THE TWO MAIN
PERPS,IN DOG FIGHTING!
<<<<<<<QU OTE>>>>
And.....yes? Who needs to comprehend? You do you idiot. And that wasn't the whole thing either pal:
IF WE DO NOT STRAIGHTEN UP OUR TOTALLY F..G UP
MINORITY GROUPS,BLACK AND HISPANIC,THE TWO MAIN
PERPS,IN DOG FIGHTING,WE WILL NEVER END THIS TRAGIC MINDLESS,3RD WORLD PROBLEMS,DRUGS,GANGS,
THUG CULTURE.
What the **** is YOUR problem dude?

who are you yelling at?

Skeptical you Betcha wrote:

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Omar Davis or Kenneth Robinson, or about the incident, is asked to call the Cumberland County Spca.
Please people call them in..If you know their whereabouts?

Need some help circulating this stpry
http://www.newson6.com/global/story.asp...
Lets try to get them some help!