I don?t know if Atlanta Falcons? quarterback Michael Vick has sponsored dogfighting, procured and trained pit bulls for fighting and ran the enterprise across state lines for several years, but I do know this: I?m not going to rush to judgment.
I?ve seen the media report on the 19-page indictment handed down by a federal grand jury in Virginia. The charges carry a punishment of up to six years in prison and $350,000 in fines and restitution. I?ve followed the story that stems from the house Vick owns, where approximately eight young dogs were killed in manners found only in horror movies.
But you know what? I don?t know what happened, so I?m not going to pretend I do.
As media, this would be the perfect time to reflect on how we handled the coverage of what happened at Duke last year, when three men?s lacrosse players faced several charges ? including rape ? but were ultimately exonerated when all charges were dropped. However, from the day the Duke story broke, I can?t even count the number of columnists, television sports personalities, cable news pundits and sports talk show hosts who were so quick to judge these men ? and ultimately be so wrong.
Clearly, we have yet to learn the lesson.
ESPN morning man Colin Cowherd had Vick tried and convicted in about an hour. But Roger Kosak, ESPN?s legal analyst, took a very cautious role and responsible role as he attempted to explain the charges to Cowherd.
MSNBC, CNN, Fox News and ESPN News all led withthe headline “Michael Vick has been indicted for his role in a dogfighting ring”.
Newspaper columnists from New York to Los Angeles had Vick and the three other defendants heading directly to jail. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution conducted a poll of 876 people. The results: 46.3 percent felt the Falcons should waive Vick right now, with 45.2 feeling he should remain on the team.
What ever happened before innocent until proven guilty? What about due process? Let?s not forget, despite what you see on television, read in the newspaper or listen to on radio, Michael Vick is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
But that does not make for good television. It pales in comparison to reporting on the sadistic ways the dogs were killed and how much money was wagered in these canine fights to the death.
Don?t expect this story to go away anytime soon: On July 26, Vick is scheduled to appear in a Richmond, Va., court for bond and arraignment hearings. The same day, he?s supposed to be with his teammates for its first on-field practice of training camp in Flowery Branch, Ga.
Where do you think the majority of the media will be?
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
