Aug 12, 2009 10:37 pm US/Central
Vick Speaks To Englewood Youth About Dogfighting
Disgraced NFL Star Michael Vick Preaches At Chicago Church About Evils Of Dogfighting
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Michael Vick spoke to youth at a church in Englewood in Chicago about the dangers of dogfighting.
CBS
Michael Vick was in Chicago on Wednesday with a stunning confession about how dogfighting took over his life. The disgraced NFL star told this to a group of Chicago children who say it happens in their neighborhood every day. CBS 2's Jim Williams was there.
Michael Vick walked to his chauffeured car without taking any questions, but moments earlier, he had plenty to say to an audience of young people at a church in Englewood, describing the evils of dogfighting.
"He's a big, influential person and what he says matters," said Englewood resident Bianca Williams.
CBS 2 was not allowed in, but those there told us Vick said he was first exposed to dogfighting in his native Virginia when he was only 7 years old.
Vick said that as an adult he spent more time running his dogfighting ring than studying his NFL playbook. And that he cried every day he was in prison over his cruel treatment of dogs.
"It'll have a lot of impact because he's a role model to a lot of kids in this community that want to play sports. Not just football, all different sports," said Englewood resident Rashard Singleton. "He's a role model to us and we know that he learned his lesson."
It is a lesson he tried to pass on to kids in a community a few miles from downtown Chicago where dogfighting is widespread, in the many abandoned buildings and vacant lots in Englewood.
Every young person CBS 2 talked to Wednesday in Englewood said he or she had seen a dogfight, including Rashard Singleton and Jarrell Taylor.
When asked what the worst thing he saw was, Taylor said, "A dog not fight back. Just get killed. Shook to the death. Crying, screaming. People just laughing. It's all exciting and fun, but I ain't see it like they saw it. It was just bogus."
Bishop James Dukes of Liberation Christian Center is trying to stop it. He is convinced dogfighting deadens the heart and leads to violence against humans. His church hosted Michael Vick today.
Some question Vick's sincerity and wonder if he's speaking out now just to get reinstated into the NFL.
"I completely think he was sincere," Dukes said.
The head of The Humane Society of the United States, who's been traveling with Vick, agrees.
"I thought he did beautifully today. I don't think you can speak that clearly and powerfully if you don't believe it," said Wayne Pacelle of The Humane Society.
In Englewood, where it's believed there is a dogfight every day, Michael Vick was in the right place.
In the parking lot next to the church where Michael Vick spoke today, The Humane Society put on a clinic for kids and their dogs that are at risk. It's part of their "End Dogfighting Campaign."
The Humane Society uses former dogfighters to help run workshops to teach kids how to properly handle pit bulls, so that the dogs are gentle around people.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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