I've spoken to and observed Vick dozens of times since he entered the NFL, and he has been incapable of shedding the troubled background that helped to forge both his athletic abilities and personality shortcomings.
Vick has long been surrounded by some shady people, and to be frank, Vick is no angel himself. Those two things might have finally caught up to him.
We all make mistakes, but Vick does not seem to learn from his. He remains stuck in an almost pre-pubescent state: the middle finger to fans; the Maxwell Smart secret compartment in the old water bottle; and Ron Mexico. Vick has refused to grow up.
No, the indictment itself is probably not racially motivated, but like the O.J. case, the Ookie case, particularly if it goes to trial, will be seen along racial lines by us, the public.
That's what concerns me. These types of extremely high-profile cases featuring an African-American star often bring out the inner bigot in millions of Americans (black and white).
Some won't even bother with the facts. They will just judge, using stereotypes and biases. We will witness the cementing of old prejudices and the creation of new bigots.
They will observe Vick's dark complexion and the tattoos and see sinister. Or they will see the mostly white feds prosecuting a black athlete, and they will see a mostly white media, and the conclusion will be: frame job.
The prism of race creates a blurry picture.
Like most African-Americans, I have seen my share of hatred, but one of the more stunning incidents was not being called a name or being subjected to a double standard. It occurred in the presence of an extremely kind white woman.
While participating in a wonderful series of multi-ethnic panel discussions several years ago called "Conversations on Race," a highly educated, middle-aged white woman began talking about her love of dogs. I remarked I've owned dogs my entire life and could not imagine living without one.
She replied: "I didn't know black people owned dogs."
I responded: "What do you think we do? Eat them?"
She apologized, but the moment was not lost on every black person in the room. If such an intelligent woman who had spent a large chunk of her life around black people could form such a crude thought, what do other whites, less educated, less exposed to a multicultural environment, think?
Vick's case won't reach the ginormous spectacle of Simpson, but it will be closer than you think. Never underestimate the love people have in this country for dogs and their hatred of those who abuse them.
And never underestimate just how segregated a society we remain despite the significant progress that has been made.
The Vick indictment will prove just that. C'mon, be honest. You know I'm right.
