Empty the Bench

ETB tips our hat to you, Michael Vick. We feared that with a year-long absence of Pacman Jones, the number of “you can’t make this stuff up” headlines would rapidly fall by the wayside during the NFL season. But you, Mr. Mexico, have stepped up in a big way to admirably fill his void, first with your magical marijuana bottle, and now with a report that you’re a dogfighting and cockfighting aficionado. Apparently, you’re such a big fan that you weren’t satisfied with simply attending these reputable events; no, Ron, the show was run from the back of a home on property you own:

A search warrant has been issued for a property in Surry County owned by NFL Atlanta Falcons star quarterback Michael Vick. Vick does not live at the home. It is inhabited by Vick’s nephew. Police said Vick does not spend much time on the property.

While investigators were at the property, they discovered three buildings behind the home that housed several barking dogs. Surry County Administrator Tyrone Franklin said that the dogs appeared to be hungry and forgotten.

Early reports indicate that Vick was allegedly running a dog-fighting and cockfighting operation from the back of the home. The Virginia Animal Fighting Taskforce was on the scene. Authorities report that Vick had been under investigation for several years for illegal animal fighting.

Several years?! I think you misunderstood when coach suggested getting a hobby to take your mind off football during the offseason. Pitting starved, abused animals against each other for sport? Illegal. Not a hobby. Building replicas of well-known landmarks with sporks, learning to crochet like no one’s business, collecting Cabbage Patch Kids? Legitimate hobbies.

It has not yet been fully ascertained as to the level of Vick’s involvement, or why, exactly, he’s deliberately, repeatedly, trying to sabotage his multi-million dollar career.
(Via Deadspin)