Visit the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation web site – www.blankfoundation.org – and you will find a litany of commendable goals based upon a mission to “promote positive change in people’s lives and to build and enhance the communities in which they live.”  The statement goes on to add, “Our Foundation has an especially strong interest in supporting innovative endeavors leading to better circumstances for low-income youth and their families.” 

Arthur Blank is the co-founder and former co-chairman of Home Depot. He owns the Mountain Sky Guest Ranch Fund which focuses on “youth, environment and quality of life in Park and Gallatin Counties in Montana.”  He owns two football teams, the Georgia Force Arena football team and, oh yes, he also is the current primary owner of the Atlanta Falcons. This means he is in the middle of the Michael Vick maelstrom. The philanthropic Blank has granted over 160 million to various charities but is likely to become best known in the public eye for what he does over the next few months.  

Something tells me that when Arthur Blank supported “innovative endeavors” he did not expect his highest paid employee to take some of Blank’s millions and buy land in Surry County, Virginia, put up a fence behind the home, build structures behind the fence, paint them black and then raise fighting Pit Bulls only to send them into battle. If convicted of all the charges, Michael Vick, AKA “Ookie”, 27, along with Purnell Peace, AKA “P-Funk”, 35, of Virginia Beach; Quanis Phillips, AKA “Q”, 28, of Atlanta; and Tony Taylor, AKA “T”, 34, of Hampton, Virginia, could each face up to six years in prison, along with $350,000 in fines and restitution. Of course, Vick is also at risk to lose his multi-million dollar contract with the Atlanta Falcons.

According to the 18 page Federal indictment presented in U.S. District Court in Richmond, Virginia; starting in early 2001, the defendants began an “animal fighting venture”. Vick and his co-defendants began by purchasing the land in Smithfield, Virginia, then building and developing the Bad Newz Kennels. They then purchased and transported pit bulls From North Carolina, New York and Virginia for the purpose of developing fighting dogs. As recently as April of 2007, dogs that were unwilling or unable to fight and win were destroyed by shooting, hanging, electrocuting and, in at least one case, by smashing the dog to the ground repeatedly until it died. Numerous fights were sanctioned and prize money was given to the winning owners. The defendants even bought shirts and headbands that promoted the Kennels and their fighting activities. However, they were not as highly promoted as Vick was by Nike and several other sponsors.

Public opinion has come out strongly against Michael Vick including demanding that either the Falcons or the NFL remove Vick from the playing field. The NFL, in all their decisiveness, through spokesman Brian McCarthy, put forth the statement: "The activities alleged are cruel, degrading and illegal. Michael Vick's guilt has not yet been proven, and we believe that all concerned should allow the legal process to determine the facts." The Falcons released their own press statement: "Obviously, we are disturbed by today's news," the team said in a statement they posted on their Web site. "We will do the right thing for our club as the legal process plays out. We have a season to prepare for."

Timing is always a problem. Vick is scheduled to make his initial court appearance next Thursday in Richmond, the same day his Falcon teammates will be in Flowery Branch, Ga., walking onto the field for their opening practice of training camp. This entire season could have Vick is facing dual battles on the gridiron and in the Courts. Can he devote his energy to both? Can the public refrain from expressing their outrage when the Falcons run onto the field for each game? 

This is the dilemma. Roger Goodell and the National Football League ownership have worked hard to clean up the image of the NFL. They do not want to inherit the “thug” image that the National Basketball Association wishes it could dispel. Similarly, Arthur Blank wants to be seen as a benefactor of the downtrodden. Now comes along Michael Vick in a bloody scheme that sickens most Americans. However, what can either of them do? Vick may be accused but he is far from conviction. His biggest “crime” so far is attempting to bring a doctored water bottle onto a plane and making an obscene gesture at spectators at a game. Based purely on “innocent until proven guilty” would force everyone to put this issue on the back burner until a decision comes out of criminal court. That might work for someone working on an assembly line or flipping burgers. Michael Vick is one of the highest paid athletes in the NFL including is 2005 signing bonus of $22,500,000.

Arthur Blank issued a statement Thursday, indicating the Falcons are "working diligently on exploring our options… Given the differing perspectives and strong feelings around this issue, we probably won't make everyone happy, but we are committed to doing the right thing. As the owner of this club that's, ultimately, my responsibility." How is that for trying to walk through a minefield?

There are two courts where this will play out, the Federal Courts and the court of public opinion. While I am only marginally knowledgeable in federal law, I have substantial experience in the state system. Criminal court requires belief beyond a reasonable doubt for conviction. Public Opinion only requires a belief. Everyone throws out the Duke rape case as evidence that we should not rush to judgment. That was a state case with what could charitably be called an “overzealous” prosecutor. Federal cases result in a 95% conviction rate. They dot their “I”s and cross their “T”s prior to filing. The 18 page indictment names people places and dates and I am sure will be strongly supported. In addition, Vick admits it is his property and dog carcasses have been found buried on the property.

Moreover, the allegations of wrongdoing intimately involve Michael Vick. He is accused of direct involvement in purchasing the dogs, training the dogs and testing their ability, sponsoring dog fights on his property, and being present when the dogs were killed. There is the possibility of additional federal charges including tax evasion for winning purses. Much depends on the statements of witnesses and likely co-defendants. With the FBI and Federal prosecutors on the case expect all information to come out. Just ask Scooter Libby. However, this time do not expect a pardon. Expect methods used to convict organized crime, like the Travel Act, to be used here. The Travel Act was instituted by then Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy while his brother was president in the early '60s. If the prosecutors can connect the four defendants in some crimes, then crimes committed by one of them can be used to expand the evidence against the others. Vick could be charges for offenses when he was not present.

Then there is the “Court of Public Opinion”? To show the wide variety of pressure Goodell and Blank are facing, African American activist and former presidential candidate Al Sharpton, along with rap music executive Russell Simmons and Ingrid Newkirk, the president of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, co-wrote a letter condemning dog fighting to Goodell, Blank and Vick's corporate sponsors. Does public pressure work? Just look at Nike’s recent decision to suspend the release of their fifth signature shoe, the Air Zoom Vick V, this summer. Named after the Atlanta Falcons quarterback, the shoes release date may be postponed forever. Air Tran Airways recently decided not to renew Vick's contract as a corporate spokesman.

It is my belief that the court process will continually be leaking facts over the next few months that more and more lead to the guilt of Michael Vick. Just as Kobe Bryant’s criminal court appearances were covered as much as his basketball performances, Michael Vick will appear in more headlines in a suit than a uniform. At some point, either the NFL or Arthur Blank will have to stop the constant barrage of negative publicity. Besides, which network will want to carry Falcon games? It would be logical for Roger Goodell to take the stand that this entire incident is too much of a distraction for the NFL and so he will suspend Vick with pay until the criminal case in resolved. Arthur Blank has to be thinking Home Depot is looking better and better.

Have a question or comment for David? Email him at davidkopacz@sportsgrumblings.com