Clinton Portis of the Washington Redskins Loves Dog Fighting: Supports Dog Fighting Supporter and Atlanta Falcon Dog Fighter Michael Vick

Article:

Redskins apologize for Portis' remarks

http://www.wtopnews.com/index.php?nid=119&sid=1147818

The Associated Press
Article Launched: 05/22/2007 05:56:43 PM PDT

ASHBURN, Va.- The Washington Redskins apologized Tuesday for comments running back Clinton Portis made during a television interview ridiculing authorities for pursuing possible dog fighting charges against Michael Vick.

Also, tackle Chris Samuels said he was wrong for joking about dog fighting during the interview he and Portis did Monday with WAVY-TV in Norfolk.

In the segment, Portis said that Vick would be put "behind bars for no reason" if the Atlanta Falcons quarterback were charged and convicted for dog fighting. Samuels laughed during much of the interview.

"The Washington Redskins, as an organization, obviously would never condone anything related to animal cruelty," the team's statement said. "The team takes the recent comments of Clinton Portis very seriously and apologizes to everyone that was offended."

It was the second statement in two days from the Redskins over the dog fighting flap. Late Monday, the team released a statement on behalf of Portis in which the running back said: "I want to make it clear I do not take part in dog fighting or condone dog fighting in any manner."

Portis and Samuels giggled and laughed frequently during the interview as they defended Vick, who has been under investigation since a police raid at one of his houses discovered dozens of dogs and items associated with dog fighting. No charges have been filed.

"I don't know if he was fighting dogs or not," Portis said in the interview. "But
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it's his property; it's his dogs. If that's what he wants to do, do it."

Portis, a native of Laurel, Miss., added: "I know a lot of back roads that got a dog fight if you want to go see it. But they're not bothering those people because those people are not big names. I'm sure there's some police got some dogs that are fighting them, some judges got dogs and everything else."

When Portis suggested that Vick would be "cheated" if charged and convicted, Samuels giggled and said: "Haven't you seen Animal Planet?"

On Tuesday, Samuels apologized for his behavior.

"We were wrong for joking about the situation," Samuels said. "It's very serious. We don't agree with dog fighting."