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E-mail This StoryBrian Gray is taking a stand.
The owner of American Icons has removed a Michael Vick autographed photo that once hung on the wall of his memorabilia shop in protest of the recent dog fighting allegations surrounding the NFL quarterback. Gray plans to destroy the $500 item and any other Vick-related apparel he has in his store. He is also encouraging equally outraged community members to follow suit. Throughout the month of August, customers can bring in their Vick merchandise, including trading cards, T-shirts, photos, and jerseys, to join in the demolition festivities.
“Dog fighting and the mistreatment of animals in general is a deplorable thing,” Gray said. “Being in the business of celebrating America’s heroes and role models, it is hard to stand by idly without doing something to show our disdain with recent events.”
Gray hasn’t yet determined an exact destruction date or the mode of obliteration just yet. If most of the items are shirts and jerseys as he is expecting, they will be thrown into a pile and incinerated. Cards and other articles of paper will be shredded.
“We are not going to deal with this anymore,” Gray said. “We say forget Michael Vick. Just because he plays on a field, he is not a hero or role model.”
Gray said he just couldn’t explain to customers why Vick’s picture was hanging alongside former and current greats of the game such as Babe Ruth, Tiger Woods, and Michael Jordan. He feared that by selling the autographed picture, some of the royalties would make their way back to the Atlanta Falcons star.
“We don’t want to finance someone who is behaving in that manner,” Gray said. “We specialize in heroes and he is not one of them. I just couldn’t find a way to justify selling the item.”
After all of the Vick memorabilia is collected, Gray will make a donation to the SPCA based on the type and amount of items he receives.
The SPCA of Texas announced Thursday that it is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction of any individual involved in dog fighting.
“Dogs are brutalized every day for the gambling fix and unfathomable enjoyment of sick individuals involved in dog fighting,” the SPCA said in a press release. “And society pays the price through the accompanying crimes and increased brutality that influences and is passed on to the children who are surrounded by this subculture. It's a vicious cycle.”
Gray said he has received feedback from customers since Vick’s indictment for "conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture.” Most agree that the act is execrable, but some have claimed that it isn’t a big deal because pit bulls are bred to be savage beasts.
“If that is the case, then why did Michael Vick breed these dogs?” Gray asked. “How can you not have sympathy for an animal that can’t defend itself?”
Vick and three others face $350,000 in fines and six years in prison if convicted of the federal charges. Additional state charges of animal cruelty are still under investigation.
In Texas, lawmakers proved they stand strongly against the inhumane treatment of dogs by stiffening dog fighting laws during the 2007 legislative session. Beginning Sept. 1, the penalty for dog fighting increases from a Class A misdemeanor to a state felony. Punishment for simply attending a dog fighting match increases from a Class C to a Class A misdemeanor.
Gray said if he were in position to hand down a sentence to Vick, he would have no sympathy.
“It depends on his level of involvement,” Gray said. “At the very least, he is irresponsible. If he physically destroyed or harmed animals, I would definitely give him the maximum penalty allowed.”
The destruction of all Vick memorabilia will likely happen some time in September after the public at large has had time to round up items. Gray will be posting updates on the Web site www.aitexas.com to offer details as to when the annihilation will take place.
“We want people to know we are serious,” he said. “Everyone in this business is out to make money regardless of the circumstance. We are not part of that group. We see this as a grassroots opportunity for the sports fan and animal lovers everywhere to say enough is enough.”
