Portis doesn' t always have to have an opinion

[SkinsFreak]

I didn't say that other areas of the world were "much more cultured" by engaging in these activities, and I didn't say it was ok to do those things, I merely pointed to the FACT that these things are prevalent in other parts of the world. Did you not comprehend that?

Thanks for the response. After re-reading your post, I did see that you condemned the animal cruelty in dogfighting and your defense of the laws that govern it.

The part over which I took an issue was the following:

...these are accepted activities in some cultures and we as a nation, are diverse with a wide range of morals, values, opinions and cultures.

I read it as a "flip-flop" on the issue, since, on the one hand, you take a hard-line stance, and you follow it up with a line that could be interpreted (by me, of course ) as though their can be a gray area for accepting it. Although they ARE facts, they don't necessarily support your stance on why they should be outlawed. Rather, it almost sounds it would be an acceptable justification for someone doing it here (kinda like a free pass, in the event that they get caught).

Can you see my point, or am I further putting my foot in my mouth?

As for Portis, I agree, he did not break any laws with his statement, but, as the title of this thread indicates, Portis should have kept his mouth shut. Not only did he look bad (whether YOU agree or not), but he made the organization look bad, and that can't be good for business. Add in the fact that Samuels was implicated in the interview, and it adds to the negative press.

FACT: Speaking on Vick's private matters was a douuble-dumb decision on Clinton Portis' part, and now he must face the consequences, whatever they may be.

Redeemed, when I said... "these are accepted activities in some cultures", I meant 'accepted' by them, the people or cultures that engage in it, not by me. Further, when I spoke of this being a diverse nation, I meant that people come here with varying beliefs, but not that it's ok to act on those beliefs, since, in this case anyway, those said acts would be illegal in this country. I can assure you that animal cruelty pisses me off just as much, if not more, than the next guy, and in no way do I condone that sort of behavior. Sorry if I failed to articulate that in an unambiguous manner.

I'm guessing Ted Nugent is NOT one of your favorite musicians or activists.

[Gnome]

As a long time reader of this board, I don't recall more eloquent and passionate debate around an issue. Now, I only read Skins related material, so in some of the other rooms I'm sure they have gone on. It goes to the point about how big this issue is and how flat out foolish it was for Portis to jump into the fight with Vick. You can bet that in every subsequent article written, especially after Vick is charged, will include a quote from Portis. It'll be interesting to see how it plays out. Hey, if Gibbs won't hire junior because his sponsor is a beer sponsor, how's he going to play it with a guy who defends torturing and killing pets?

[Snout]

I interpreted Clinton's comments a little differently than most everyone else.

I thought the point he was making was something like this: "Since when did dog fighting in the rural South become front page news? It happens all the time. Nobody enforces the law. Even the police and the judges show up. So why the sudden outrage when Michael Vick is the perpetrator?"

I do not think Portis would have made the same comments if this happened in part of the country that has a zero tolerance policy for animal fighting. I think he was speaking out more against hypocrisy than in defense of dog fighting -- and only because this happened in the South.

[mastdark81]

LOL, now players need to be suspended for knowledge?

How many people here have a family member that smokes mary jane?
Who have parents that did it at one point?
Who here has ever stolen anything?
Who has every sprayed the neighbors dog with a hose?

You all need to turn yourselves in to local authorities immediately. I will spend the rest of my afternoon scouring the boards for admittance of knowledge of wrongs doing and will turn you in immediately.

LOL

[1niksder]

It's just a media relations cock-up, but I don't think we need to condemn him for it. Neither should he be given a free pass though.

Now that I can agree on.

More than half the voters feel the same way.

[air_hog]

It's just a media relations cock-up, but I don't think we need to condemn him for it. Neither should he be given a free pass though.

Now that I can agree on.

More than half the voters feel the same way.

I haven't really gone off on this, but in the end I really do think it was "Clinton being Clinton".

Anyone who has ever seen Clinton Portis speak, or give quotes should know that you can never take him seriously, even if it is a serious subject.

He is a young flamboyent (sp.?) wealthy man who is always joking around and being a playboy.

Yes I am very disappointed in Clinton (and Chris) for they way they treated the subject, but it does not surprise me that they would in fact act that way.

[SkinsFreak]

The NFL Network had Portis on live for an interview last night and I hope some of you were able to see it. If not, they will probably air it again today.

He basically said that he doesn't condone dog fighting, doesn't even own any dogs or pets, and just thought the media got carried away with their attacks on Vick when he may not have had any involvement with anything whatsoever. Additionally, he said you can turn on the TV and see people spearing sharks, hunting, and killing all sorts of animals, yet no one is up in arms over that. He emphatically said he does not agree with any killing or abuse of any animals, or humans either, for that matter. Basically said the media has blown this out of proportion and misinterpreted what he said. He said to take a look at his police record and you will find that he's never been arrested and has never been in trouble with the law.

Now, Portis is not the most articulate person in the world, has a somewhat limited vocabulary, and struggles, in my opinion, to put his thoughts into words. That said, the man is a football player, not a lawyer or an English professor. I agree that the words he chose could be misinterpreted, but the man cleared this up last night and any further discussion on Portis condoning animal abuse is foolish, unfounded and unwarranted.

[SkinsFreak]

BTW - Chris Samuels is on Redskins.com in a video clip saying that he and Portis were joking around the whole time about how the media was getting carried away with this; before, during and after the interview. He went on to say that they were wrong and shouldn't have joked around about that.

You know what? Fine, I'll accept that apology, but I knew in my heart, all along, that they were just fooling around, taking a shot at the media, and would never be in favor of animal cruelty.

[ramseychick]

I do not post here much but what portis said is iINEXCUSABLE. Someone should tape his mouth shut and stick him in a cage with a pack of dallas fans and the them beat the crap out of him. I am sickened by his comment and hope they do not every let him speak in public again. He gets paid enough money you would think he would have more common sense. I hope they never let him live this down .

[ramseychick]

No I saw the interview. Portis was NOT joking in talking about the dog fighting. Its quite obvious he knew what he was talking about. I hope they heckle him at EVERY football game this year

[Fios]

I thought he was going for a reaction, he has a history of that.

[hailskins666]

this issue officially has my curiosity spiked. i'm going to have to find a dogfight to go to. i think i know just the guy to talk to.

[BossHog]

I love CP... even love the way that he toys with the media SOMETIMES... but this was just in really bad taste.

So bad, that the team is now reeling to put some kind of better spin on it.

To me, when you reach the point that you have actually distracted the team, and the organization, you've gone too far REGARDLESS of what your intent (or lack thereof) was.

And I think CP knew what would happen... he just didn't care. Not exactly the actions of a team leader. And considering that CP and Samuels would be considered two of our leaders, it's pretty disappointing to see such a selfish display.

[ramseychick]

Joking at press conference and interviewsa and "supposedly"condoning aninmal cruelty is another thing Sorry if I fail to see the similiarities.

There is just some things you just don't joke about regardless of what your view on the matter is. I'd like to see if Joe Gibbs makes any public comment on this other than the cheesy statement they put on the website.

[Chris Luva Luva]

Overreaction is an understatement.

I must have missed the memo that Portis has officially turned into Jesus.

[SkinsFreak]

^Agreed.

[BossHog]

Overreaction is an understatement.

I must have missed the memo that Portis has officially turned into Jesus.

Does speaking in hyperbole change anything?

Sure seems empty when it's coming from a guy that wants to whine about every hiccup that the organization encounters. If you want to bitch and moan about how much of a joke this organization is to others, then maybe you should at least acknowledge the effect that things like this can have on that opinion.

Because whether you or not is really of little consequence. Whether people agree with dog fighting is really of no consequence either. I'm not judging dog fights or the people who conduct them, but to me what really matters in THIS instance is that CP and the Redskins have now been dragged into this mess to the point that I'm reading more about CP than about Vick. It's become a distraction to the organization. That's just unprofessional AND unneccessary IMO.

I understand that CP is a prankster, I understand that he likes to manipulate the media... but this is an incident that affects his team - wheras most of his manipulation in the past has centered around taking the focus OFF of the team and putting it squarely on himself.

Redskin fans are likely the ONLY people on the planet that will see this as 'CP being CP', everybody else will see it as just another spoiled athlete behaving childishly.

And unfortunately, without the B&G glasses on, they may be correct.

You don't have to be Jesus to be professional.

[Chris Luva Luva]

I still think it's an overreaction to say that he needs to be heckled throughout the year (ramseychick) or injured for his comments (various other fans).

I think that people shouldn't be so shocked when a football player who is a human being says something that you'd expect your drunk neighbor to say.

I also don't have too much heart for this whole situation because it's just the new train to hop on. The media doesn't care about these animals, it's just the new feel good thing to make people feel like they're making a change.

ESPN hates dog fighting but praises other sports that involve certain levels of abuse of animals.

1. Running of the bulls.
2. Bull fighting.
3. Someone else mentioned horse racing.

So, I think the whole thing is just something to do to get hits/ratings/sell papers.


You mentioned my constant ragging on the state of the organization. I'm sorry this incident doesn't compare to years of this team having no direction. If Clinton made a retarded comment of this caliber every year and only broke a 1000 yards once every decade....then I'd be on his case a bit more.

[Countertrey]

I thought he was going for a reaction, he has a history of that.

Y'all don't get it. It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter if he was joking. It doesn't matter if he was serious. It doesn't matter whether he detests all forms of animal cruelty, or if he is a breeder of fighting cocks.


If you bump a hornet's nest, the hornets don't care whether you meant to harm them or just wanted to get a buzz out of them, or even if you did it by accident. They are going to come out like Sherrif Gonna-getcha, and taser your butt with extreme predjudice. The Vick thing was not Portis' problem. Now it is.

Vick's own behavior has given him a reputation that has allowed this to have a life. If he hadn't acted the thug earlier, this may have been an "oh, by the way". Then, the emensely stupid act of selling the property for half it's appraised value? Bone head.

Portis has done nothing but succeeded in relieving Vick of some of his problem by putting attention onto himself. There are times when you just need to keep your mouth shut. I hope Vick has at least sent a "Thank You!" note.

This was an oration of supreme stupidity on Clinton's part. Oops. Congratulations, Clinton. You have now earned the right to go out and spend significant coin on the extended services of a fine public relations expert. I'd suggest you stay away from the lady who TO was using last year, though...

[SkinsFreak]

Overreaction is an understatement.

I must have missed the memo that Portis has officially turned into Jesus.

Does speaking in hyperbole change anything?

Sure seems empty when it's coming from a guy that wants to whine about every little hiccup that the organization encounters. If you want to constantly bitch and moan about how much of a joke this organization is to others, then maybe you should drop the double-standard and see the effect that things like this can have on that opinion.

Because whether you agree with people's opinion or not is really of little consequence. Whether people agree with dog fighting is really of no consequence either. I want to be clear and say that I'm not judging dog fights or the people who conduct them, but to me what really matters in THIS instance is that CP and the Redskins have now been dragged into this mess to the point that I'm reading more about CP than about Vick. It's become a distraction to the organization. That's just unprofessional AND unneccessary IMO.

I understand that CP is a prankster, I understand that he likes to manipulate the media... but this is an incident that affects his team - wheras most of his manipulation in the past has centered around taking the focus OFF of the team and putting it squarely on himself.

Redskin fans are likely the ONLY people on the planet that will see this as 'CP being CP', everybody else will see it as just another spoiled athlete behaving childishly.

And unfortunately, without the B&G glasses on, they may be correct.

You don't have to be Jesus to be professional.

With regard to your point about being professional and not being a distraction to the team, I agree with you 100%. But I don't think that was his intention, even though it did become a distraction and the media ran with it. He's never been that way. I agree that he made a mistake with his comments and probably never should have joked about something like that, something that the organization now has to deal with. That sucks and I agree with that part.

But in the end, he simply made a mistake. He has now gone on record to apologize, to clarify his position, that he does not condone animal cruelty, and has gone the extra mile to set the record straight, as he should, for the purpose of clarification.

Well... why does he not get the benefit of the doubt, why do we not accept his explanation, and why does he not get forgiveness for admitting his mistake? He has never been cruel to animals, and was merely, maybe in poor judgment, trying to take a shot at the media, who always seem to condemn public figures without the due diligence our justice system provides and guarantees.

I agree he made a mistake, but I'm not going to slaughter the guy for it. He merely ‘said’ something he shouldn’t have, not physically ‘did’ something he shouldn’t have. I've made mistakes in my life too, and I'd hope that when I admit my mistake, offer an apology and a subsequent explanation, people would grant me forgiveness and move on. If they don't, I have no control over that and simply move on myself. I really don't think he meant to offend anyone, even though he might have with the wrong choice of words.

[SkinsFreak]

I still think it's an overreaction to say that he needs to be heckled throughout the year (ramseychick) or injured for his comments (various other fans).

I think that people shouldn't be so shocked when a football player who is a human being says something that you'd expect your drunk neighbor to say.

I also don't have too much heart for this whole situation because it's just the new train to hop on. The media doesn't care about these animals, it's just the new feel good thing to make people feel like they're making a change.

ESPN hates dog fighting but praises other sports that involve certain levels of abuse of animals.

1. Running of the bulls.
2. Bull fighting.
3. Someone else mentioned horse racing.

So, I think the whole thing is just something to do to get hits/ratings/sell papers.

Every weekend, ESPN 2 has hunting shows on all morning long. I now have to skip over that station when my daughters are around, because when they happened to see it one time, I had to spend hours consoling them for what they'd seen on ESPN. Animals die on every episode they air. Are folks up in arms about that?

[Chris Luva Luva]

Sure seems empty when it's coming from a guy that wants to whine about every hiccup that the organization encounters. If you want to bitch and moan about how much of a joke this organization is to others, then maybe you should at least acknowledge the effect that things like this can have on that opinion.

Sorry but this characterization of me would have been accurate prior to Gibbs announcement of the change of philosophy within the organization. Since then, I've done nothing but praise what this team has done.

[skinsfan#33]

The irony of the whole Vick dog fighting animal cruelty thing is once those dogs were seized they were imediately put on death row. They will be put to sleep! And most would have lived many more years.

If given a choice would you rather be forced to fight to stay alive and suffer many injuries and possibly death or just be killed. Me, I'm fighting, I don't care about the pain. I would rather live poorly than not at all!

As far as CPs comments. I hate that he wasn't smart enough not to say them and hate even more that he caved and put out that stupid retraction!

Why is it that hunting is OK, Horse racing is Ok, Bull fighting (not in this country) is Ok (the bull dies every time), and Dog racing is Ok.

Do you have any idea how badly Grey Hounds are treated just so we can place a bet on them.

How come we allow boxing and Ultimate Fighting which are just human versions of dog fighting?

[Chris Luva Luva]

While its a shame that the dogs have to be put down, I agree that it was the best course of action since it's hard to rehabilitate animals that have been programmed to attack. They're naturally very agressive and it's been heightend.

I do feel that raised lovingly they can just as obedient as any other dog.

[patjam77]

While its a shame that the dogs have to be put down, I agree that it was the best course of action since it's hard to rehabilitate animals that have been programmed to attack. They're naturally very agressive and it's been heightend.

I do feel that raised lovingly they can just as obedient as any other dog.

CLL thanks for a good response to that post. I didn't know how to do it civily without it going over to smack.
Very nice.