A few weeks ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers met and signed quarterback Michael Vick, who until 2007 ran the dogfighting ring at Bad Newz Kennels, where he and his teammates forced countless animals into lethal states and brutally tortured them. Kill the others who were below par in the ring. After Vic was selected by Steelers coach Mike Tomlin to step in as backup Ben Roethlisberger, the latter player responded by saying, “It’s the game of football. That’s what matters most to me.” “Steelers” Kentucky-certified Levity Tomkinson.
Tomkinson and her adoptive dog, Ellie
The dogs that survived Bad Newt kennels went on to be loving and gentle family dogs and, in some cases, therapy dogs. These dogs have become a beacon of fortitude and perseverance in the face of painful trauma. Through her artwork, Tomkinson connects with the families of these sweet survivors. She knows their stories. The day after the Steelers made the decision to sign Vic, she prepared a letter that said everything many of us are feeling right now. In this case, the line between right and wrong is not blurred; It is clear and unambiguous. The team has yet to move to that ethical 50-yard line; There is still time for them to turn the decision around and become a voice for good.
If you would also like to contact the Steelers about their decision, please send an email to [email protected] Or call them at (412) 432-7801,” adds the artist. Below is her email response to the Steelers regarding the situation.
To the Pittsburgh Steelers:
My name is Levity Tomkinson and I am the creator of Project Re51lient: 51 Paintings of Dogs Rescued from Michael Nix’s Bad Houses. Re51lient (short and pronounced ‘flexible’) is an advocacy arts project that combines our signature art-style graphics with positive, emotionally-led writing. culminating in the inspiring paintings and stories of all 51 Pit Bull Terriers rescued from Bad Newz.Dogs.With the Re51lient Project, I seek to promote a very positive image of Pit Bull Terriers, Pit Bull Terriers, and dogs rescued from fighting rings and show others that if If these dogs could win, love, carry on and simply be happy, then we are because humans have the power to wake up every morning and do the same.With these dogs deeply embedded in my heart, others everywhere who have already been in a loop combative or will become a part of, I am writing to you all regarding the signing of Michael Vick for a year.
“I was raised to swear allegiance to the Steelers, a team that cultivates strongly my family’s love of football. When I heard about the possibility of you all signing Vic, I immediately sent a message to my dad (the guy who taught me how to lift the horrible handkerchief) in an effort to dispel the sensational rumors. His response was, “Maybe,” but it helped ease my mind some when he said, “I doubt they’ll sign it. They don’t go to trouble players.
Which brings me to my next point. After confirming that Vic was indeed signed, I started reading various media articles. Coach Mike Tomlin, Ben Roethlisberger, and other members of the Steelers all referred to his talent as a football player and seemed to view Vic’s past as something Inconsequential, which does not matter because he is seen as an asset to a footballer. When will entertainment, greed and money, when will all these things stop being the most important? Vic has organized a gang that fights dogs on his property. Vic has kenneled dogs in rape stalls. Vic bet money on fights conducted on his own property. Vic watched dogs maul each other away. Vic killed dogs. In particular, Vic and another man took the front and back legs of a little red dog and repeatedly kicked this dog, back and forth, into the ground to death How does such an unspeakably heinous act become acceptable to the value of entertainment, greed, and money?
“I understand that this is football. I understand that what Vic did wasn’t in the football business. But what I don’t understand is how your organization can separate out the atrocities that Vic orchestrated and executed when making the decision to make him part of the Steelers. What he did is not steal candy from me.” The store. It wasn’t running a red light. It wasn’t on foot. It was a calculated, deliberate, purposeful episode of breeding, gambling, fighting, killing living creatures. Some people think dogs aren’t people, it doesn’t matter. How does it matter when you imagine a dog over and over again on the floor before Two men, one now part of your team, the sounds the dog made, the incredible pain it inflicted, the aftermath of the abuse, the blood, the broken, the beating of the dog?
“I hope you’ve been inundated with emails, calls, and petitions because of your decision. You’re probably so busy that you won’t read my entire email. And if that’s the case, that’ll be fine, because that would allow the Steelers to set a precedent in the NFL. To say, ‘We made a mistake’ And we make our mistake. We do not support players whose personal lives do not reflect what is right. ”To show the millions of people, as well as children, who are dedicated to the NFL as well as the Steelers that there is good in this industry.” There are people who do the right thing because they listen to what they have to say with their hearts and minds, not the dollar in their pockets. To say, “These players are more than the TDs they can throw, passes they can get, sacks they can make.” Our organization believes it’s more than just what you do on the field.
“I implore you all to listen. To educate yourselves on what it did to you as a person, not as a football player. To own up to the mistake you made and address it. There are many issues within the NFL regarding players off the field behavior. When I posted articles on social media so that it could For others to contact the Steelers to let them know how they feel about your decision, one commented, “My concern is that we cause the same fuss or ruckus to other players and/or acts of disrespect, harm, harm or danger? Where is the standard? “And to this, and also to all of you, I say where do we start to make our voices heard? I don’t think it matters as much as the fact that we make our voices heard as we start the momentum to keep moving forward to ensure that we never lose our voices.
As I wrote above, there are many issues within the NFL and the behavior of their players. However, right now, the Steelers have a golden opportunity to become a force for change. Imagine if you all acted according to what is right. What kind of change is spurring within the NFL? What shock waves will be sent through society? Within your organization, you have the power to do something so right and so wonderful that it will be the beginning of changing the face of the NFL forever. I hope you all understand the weight of your situation, and I sincerely hope that you are all able to become a beacon of light, not darkness, in the NFL.
presented with respect, Levity E. Tomkinson Creator of the Re51lient project
If you suspect dog fighting, please call the Humane Society of the United States hotline by phone at 1-877-TIP-HSUS. To help dogs in situations similar to those rescued from the Vic gang, please consider making a donation to one of the rescues that picked them up after the accident, and provided them with a safe and happy life. Tomkinson recommends Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, UT, BAD RAP, and Our Pack. Other great organizations have been founded in honor of the dogs who suffered in Bad News, including Handsome Dan’s Rescue, Gracie’s Guardians, and Jasmine’s House. Every bit helps.
Dan Wasim, Rescue is behind Rescue Dan Wasim
Featured image of Levity Tomkinson and her adorable friend Rinlee via A. Clark Photography
