Wheeler: Vick’s career, no leash attached

Thursday, August 23, 2007

After the news of Atlanta Falcons star quarterback Michael Vick agreeing to plead guilty for illegal dog fighting and gambling operations, the National Football League is seeing its worst days in the media spotlight.

Vick is facing mandatory jail time of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, and his career in the NFL is in jeopardy.

Vick, who is most known on the field for his versatility as an athlete and ability to run the ball at the quarterback position, draws similarities in talent to former University of Kansas All-American quarterback Bobby Douglass. Off the field, however, their similarities end. It can be put to rest right now that Douglass was not involved in any illegal dog fighting activity.

Last season, Vick broke the NFL single-season record for the most rushing yards by a quarterback of 968 yards, with 1,039 yards from the line of scrimmage, a record that stood for 34 years by the former KU standout.

To set the record straight, it should be noted that Douglass played in the NFL at a time when the regular season consisted of 14 games instead of the current 16 game season that Vick played. Had Douglass played in a 16 game season, he would have been on pace to rush for 1,106 yards.

In college, both quarterbacks led their teams to the most impressive seasons in each school’s history. Douglass, who played for the University from 1966 until 1969, led the University to a tie for the Big Eight Championship and to the Orange Bowl against Penn State in 1969. Vick similarly led Virginia Tech to the National Championship Game in 2000 against Florida State University.

In the pros, Vick and Douglass’ careers were comparable as well. Both Vick and Douglass were somewhat inefficient throwing the ball, but could run it well. Off the field, Douglass gained semi-celebrity status and even married former Playboy Playmate Carol O’Neal. Vick became the face of the Atlanta Falcons franchise and received a 10-year $130 million contract, the highest in NFL history.

Though Douglass played in the NFL at a time before million dollar contracts and endorsements, he still managed to have a long career, which lasted 11 seasons, playing for the Chicago Bears, San Diego Chargers, New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers. Vick on the other hand, squandered a chance to become an all-time great by running his “Bad Newz Kennels” operation.

Because of Vick’s negligence to animal rights, the only people who might be able to bring light to the current Michael Vick situation are prison wardens nationwide. If there is one thing certain in this whole debacle, there is going to be a federal penitentiary somewhere with the best prison football team in the land.

Though stories like Vick’s are disheartening for fans, it should be reminded that for every Vick, there are another 10 players with stories like Bobby Douglass. Even though Vick broke Douglass’ record, which stood for over three decades, records are meant to be broken. For Vick’s single-season rushing record, current Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young is just the guy to do it.

Young, the former University of Texas star, is memorable for his spectacular performance in the 2006 Bowl Championship Series, in which he passed for 267 yards and ran for another 200 yards against University of Southern California, leading Texas to a National Championship.

Last season, Young broke another record previously held by Bobby Douglass for most yards ran by a rookie quarterback. Young rushed for 552 yards — surpassing Douglass’ mark of 408 yards — while starting in just 13 games.

No dogs were harmed while writing this column.

Edited by Meghan Murphy

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