The executive director of the Virginia State Conference of the NAACP said yesterday that Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick should take responsibility for his involvement in dogfighting. But he added that too much attention has been paid to Vick's problems when people are killing each other.

"He should take responsibility, and that is what he is doing," King Salim Khalfani said.

On Monday, Vick's lawyer said he would plead guilty to a federal charge of conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and conspiracy to sponsor a dog in an animal-fighting venture.

But Khalfani said, "Our organization would like to see more concern over Iraq, Afghanistan, murders in America and Hurricane Katrina."

"At the same time, we feel he [Vick] is redeemable," Khalfani said. "At age 27, he is not some throwaway criminal. . . . We should not euthanize him."

Decrying what he called "tabloid journalism," Khalfani said "there is a lot of piling-on here."

"We seem to care more about Anna Nicole Smith and dog-fighting" than about human life, he added.

Khalfani's comments echoed those of the interim national president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Dennis Courtland Hayes told The Associated Press that Vick is not a victim and should be held responsible for his actions. He also said Vick is redeemable.

He commented on the Vick case after the head of the NAACP's Atlanta chapter said Vick should be allowed to return to professional football after the case is resolved.

The Associated Press quoted R.L. White as saying that "as a society, we should aid in his rehabilitation and welcome a new Michael Vick back into the community without a permanent loss of his career in football."

Hayes said some blacks have rallied to Vick's defense because of a perception that the criminal justice system disproportionately punishes African-Americans.

The former Virginia Tech standout is scheduled to appear in Richmond's federal court Monday to enter the guilty plea.

Contact Tyler Whitley at (804) 649-6780 or twhitley@timesdispatch.com.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.