clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Clinton Portis: Don't believe everything you hear (me say)

By Skin Patrol

Hat tip to AOL Fanhouse who tracked down the official statement somehow or someway. Despite it showing up on the Official Site, there was no mention of it on the front page from what I saw. Anyways, here's the statement:

"In the recent interview I gave concerning dogfighting, I want to make it clear I do not take part in dogfighting or condone dogfighting in any manner."
Statement was made yesterday, so that's some damn-fine quick damage control.

I have a hard time squaring this with his original statements which were, among others:

  1. "I don't know if he was fighting dogs or not but it's his property, it's his dog. If that's what he wants to do, do it. You know?"
  2. "[Dog fighting] can't be too bad of a crime."
  3. "You take somebody that's doing positive in the community. You take a positive role model and put them behind bars for no reason, you know. Over a dog fight?"
(1) seems to condone anything done behind closed doors, explicitly dog fighting. Both (2) and (3) attempt to trivialize the criminality of dog fighting, which could be construed as either approval or, at least, apathy.

But let's not dwell. Clinton Portis made a foolish statement and, although an apology is lacking, backed away from some of the implications of said statement. I'll be happy to forget this incident as football related news takes its place. There is nothing criminal about being on the wrong side of an issue so long as you do not act on it. As Ryan Wilson pointed out, Portis' views on dog fighting really shouldn't interest us up until that moment he pits dogs into mortal combat:

Portis is a 26-year-old professional athlete. Neither his age nor his profession is an excuse for what he said, but he's a football player. He's not a legislator -- no laws will be passed supporting dogfighting (not unless Vick hires the right lobbying firm, anyway) -- he's just a guy in his mid-20s who also happens to be very, very rich. For some reason in this country, if you have money, you're supposed to have thoughts on every news story that comes across the wire.
Redskins Huddle, Portis pops off
DC Sports Bog, Humane Society Responds to Clinton Portis
The Falcoholic, Yet More Vick News
USA Today, Portis no longer advocates dogfighting

More From Hogs Haven