Some Athletes Position Themselves To Fail
Dan Murtha
Issue date: 9/13/07 Section: Impact Staff Blogs
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(SEPT. 27) Michael Vick may have managed to ruin the last bit of support he enjoyed. After submitting a urine sample for a drug test, for pre-trial services in his federal dog fighting case, it was revealed Vick tested positive for marijuana. While the test itself is largely laughable (who really cares if a man about to go to jail smokes a little hippie lettuce), the idea that a man in Vick's precarious position would further act in a manner that could draw the attention of law enforcement is sad.
Now in addition to further damaging his reputation and prospects for a renewed NFL career, Vick has cast a darker light onto his own past. He was once stopped at an airport security checkpoint for having a water bottle with a secret compartment that smelled of Marijuana. While he was never charged in that incident, Vick now looks like he was on a path of self-destruction for quite a while.
The continuing downward spiral of Vick's life and career is yet another sad chapter in the saga that is modern professional sports. Implications of steroid use stain Barry Bonds stellar career. Floyd Landis has been stripped of his Tour De France title for blood doping. NBA referee Tim Donaghy has been implicated in a sports gambling investigation. From OJ Simpson to Pete Rose, and from Andre Waters to Rae Carruth American professional sports are damaged by the scandals that explode in our media.
Each scandal has its own story and its own participants. However, their collective impact is uglier than any one incident. Professional athletes can no longer be placed on pedestals or revered in the way they once were.
Taken at face value, and on their own, none of Vick's offenses are as alarming as they are when taken together. Vick was arguably one of the most talented quarterbacks to ever grace the football field. Now, his accomplishments are forever tainted.
I would have liked to see a comeback by Michael Vick, now it looks even more unlikely.
Now in addition to further damaging his reputation and prospects for a renewed NFL career, Vick has cast a darker light onto his own past. He was once stopped at an airport security checkpoint for having a water bottle with a secret compartment that smelled of Marijuana. While he was never charged in that incident, Vick now looks like he was on a path of self-destruction for quite a while.
The continuing downward spiral of Vick's life and career is yet another sad chapter in the saga that is modern professional sports. Implications of steroid use stain Barry Bonds stellar career. Floyd Landis has been stripped of his Tour De France title for blood doping. NBA referee Tim Donaghy has been implicated in a sports gambling investigation. From OJ Simpson to Pete Rose, and from Andre Waters to Rae Carruth American professional sports are damaged by the scandals that explode in our media.
Each scandal has its own story and its own participants. However, their collective impact is uglier than any one incident. Professional athletes can no longer be placed on pedestals or revered in the way they once were.
Taken at face value, and on their own, none of Vick's offenses are as alarming as they are when taken together. Vick was arguably one of the most talented quarterbacks to ever grace the football field. Now, his accomplishments are forever tainted.
I would have liked to see a comeback by Michael Vick, now it looks even more unlikely.
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