Fast Break

College football

OSU’s Stroughter takes time off

Oregon State receiver Sammie Stroughter has put football on hold indefinitely while he deals with personal issues.

Stroughter, who caught 79 passes for 1,293 yards last season, has been missing for most of fall camp.

“During the past year my family and I have experienced a considerable amount of grief and mourning due to the passing of two family members who were important male role models in my life,” Stroughter said in a prepared statement. “In addition to these losses, Coach Jim Gilstrap, who recruited me to OSU, passed away this summer.

“It has been the decision of my immediate family and I that I take whatever time needed to get over what I am personally experiencing due to the sudden changes in my life.”

Stroughter did not offer a timetable for his return to the team.

The senior could sit out this season as a redshirt and play for the Beavers in 2008.

NFL

Public figures defend Vick

Michael Vick should be allowed to return to the NFL after he serves his punishment on federal dogfighting charges, the president of the Atlanta NAACP said Wednesday

R.L. White also said he suspected that three co-defendants’ agreement to plead guilty was “coerced” and said he believes the star quarterback has received more negative press than if he had killed a human being.

“He would not have been persecuted that much if he had killed somebody,” White said.

Vick’s attorneys announced Monday he would plead guilty to the charges as part of a deal that might require the Atlanta Falcons quarterback to serve time in prison.

“Let’s maintain our (healing) when we are trying to remedy the entire situation,” White said. “Yes, there are many dog lovers, fans in the NFL but there are also many, many other people who just love Mike Vick and these people, too, are significant in numbers.”

New York Knicks guard Stephon Marbury defended Vick, calling dogfighting a sport and comparing it to hunting.

“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.”