NFL: Vick Suspended Indefinately

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Michael Vick without pay from the NFL for his part in the dog fighting activities undertaken by Bad Newz Kennels. He further allowed the Atlanta Falcons to undertake proceeding to recover $22 million of Vick's signing bonus from the 10-year, $130 million contract he signed in 2004:

(CNN) -- The National Football League has indefinitely suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick without pay, officials with the league said Friday.

Earlier, Vick admitted to participating in a dogfighting ring as part of a plea agreement with federal prosecutors in Virginia.

"Your admitted conduct was not only illegal, but also cruel and reprehensible. Your team, the NFL, and NFL fans have all been hurt by your actions," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a letter to Vick.

Goodell said he would review the status of the suspension after the legal proceedings are over.

In papers filed Friday with a federal court in Virginia, Vick also admitted that he and two co-conspirators killed dogs that did not fight well.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank said Vick's admissions describe actions that are "incomprehensible and unacceptable."

The suspension makes "a strong statement that conduct which tarnishes the good reputation of the NFL will not be tolerated," he said in a statement.

Michael Vick's career in the NFL and most likely any future sporting event is over. He is going to pay a heavy price for his actions in funding and participating in the dog fighting operations, but his penalty is far less than the penalty those dogs received at his hands.

In the previous thread about Michael Vick's possible suspensions comments are running high that this is a racially motivated act by the authorities. However, as the commenter's own words will attest, the racially motivated part is being played by his community supporters not the authorities.

Michael Vick has admitted to his involvement in these actions and is stepping up to accept his punishment. I'm sure his lawyers will appeal to the NFL to reconsider their indefinite ban on playing in the NFL, but I do not think they will be successful in their endeavors. The NFL is experiencing a problem with its off field conduct by its players and Michael Vick, rightly so in my opinion, is going to be made an example of to the rest of the NFL players.

Another interesting twist it that supporters of Vick are attempting to somehow indicate that dog fighting is a humane sport akin to hunting, they couldn't be further from the truth. The rules and laws that govern hunting in all 50 states attest to the fact that hunting is a humane sport.

Hunters do not drown or hang their prey to kill it, nor do they train them in pits to fight other animals. Hunters respect the environment and their prey, unlike Vick and his conspirators who had no respect for their dogs.

This is not about race. This is not about a rich black man being kept down by "the man." Its about a sports figure who has become a role model for millions of Americans that should never have been a role model in the first place. Michale Vick was not targeted for prosecution because he was black. He was indicted because the authorities investigating his cousin on drug charges, and in the course of their investigation they uncovered the illegal dog fighting ring.

Mr. Vick is guilty not because he is black but because he has admitted to his role in the events and plead guilty. For those who wish to make race the central issue in this case I would suggest to you that your actions here only serve to continue to make a race an issue. For a community that wants to be judged not by their race, you sure are doing all you can to continue the argument.