(Image Source: ESPN)

 
BY MARC STEIDLER
 
ANCHOR JIM FLINK
 
 
You're watching multisource global video news analysis from Newsy.
 
He’s a quarterback in the NFL, he’s a felon, and he’s black. So he is expected to draw controversy … at least that’s what ESPN wants you to think.

“If a white player had been busted for fighting and torturing and killing dogs, and gone to jail for it, would the public, would people in general come down harder or as hard on the white player? You have to ask that question.”
 
That question was originally posed by a writer for ESPN the Magazine.

The story is accompanied by this, well -- creepy Photoshop work. Kevin Federline, anyone?

One Chicago blogger says he’s insulted.

“I was shocked to find this article honestly ... well, offensive. And it wasn’t so much for the racist undertones and stereotypical references, as it was the sheer audacity of this individual to actually think they were writing something profound.”

And sports blog ‘Awful Announcing’ questions ESPN’s journalistic standards.

“This entire episode crosses into realms of stubbornness, insensitivity, cluelessness, and just general laziness.  Clearly, White Vick was only done to create page views and controversy.”

ESPN says it’s trying to promote meaningful discussion about race in sports.  And Black Sports Online has their own take on the race-reversal...

“After Tom Brady dumped his pregnant girlfriend for a hotter girlfriend the question has to be asked. Would a black football player have gotten such a pass for such a Mediatakeout type act?”

Transcript by Newsy.

Sports News: Michael Vick ESPN Cover

ESPN: What if Michael Vick Were White?

August 26, 2011
(1:30)
ESPN wonders if Michael Vick’s path and sentence would have been different had he been white. Other media members question ESPN’s motives.
   
TRANSCRIPT

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