Posted at 1:50 a.m., Friday, August 24, 2007
NBA: Knicks' Marbury backs off Vick's comments
Associated Press
NEW YORK — New York Knicks guard Stephon Marbury backed off his defense of Michael Vick, according to newspaper reports today."What Michael Vick did was wrong, and he has admitted his guilt," Marbury said in a statement released by the Knicks to New York newspapers. "He should be punished. However, he should be given a second chance, as others have received for more serious crimes."
Marbury had made controversial comments Monday about the federal dogfighting conspiracy charges against Vick while promoting his basketball shoe in Albany.
"I think it's tough," Marbury said, according to Albany TV station Capital News 9. "I think, you know, we don't say anything about people who shoot deer or shoot other animals. You know, from what I hear, dogfighting is a sport. It's just behind closed doors."
Marbury expanded on those comments in the statement.
"There is no list for which animals should be killed and which shouldn't. I love animals and none of them should be harmed However, we don't react the same when other animals are being killed for sport or the sake of human pleasure."
