The comments Clinton Portis made during his weekly press conferences two years ago caused teammates, fans and media to laugh. It became a sideshow to a playoff season.
Chris Samuels, though, knew that Portis’ comments about dog fighting two days ago would be viewed differently.
“Right after we got off [the air],” Samuels said, “I said, ‘This might be a mess.’”
He was right.
And Portis continues to try and calm the controversy he started on a Norfolk television station on Monday. Last night, he said on the NFL Network, “I’m not condoning dog fighting. I’m just saying there are bigger issues in life than to be worried about what Michael Vick is doing. Hunting is legal. … That issue [with Vick] is not as big as they made it for jail time and the consequences he’ll end up facing.”
This after he issued an apology through the Redskins Monday night. The Redskins released a statement saying they take his statements seriously. Yesterday, the Humane Society of the United States issued a press release stating, in part, that “The NFL should demand an explanation and hold the star running back accountable for endorsing an activity that is a felony in 48 states.”
On Monday, Portis said Vick should not be jailed if he’s convicted of being involved with dog fighting. Left tackle Chris Samuels was also on camera and could be seen giggling at Portis’ comments.
“I think people should mind their business,” Portis told WAVY-TV. “I don’t know if he was fighting dogs or not, but it’s his property, his dog, if that’s what he wants to do, do it. If it’s behind closed doors, it’s OK.”
Samuels later added, “Haven’t you seen Animal Planet?”
“We were joking the whole time we were there,” Samuels said Tuesday at Redskins Park. “We were wrong for joking about the situation. I don’t agree with dog fighting.
“I guess that’s how it works sometimes. On May 12th I gave away a house through the Chris Samuels Foundation to a lady. That only made local coverage. Something like [dog fighting] we joked about and now it’s a big deal. [But] we were wrong for joking about the situation.”
