One former Falcons star has weighed in on the troubles of a current one.

Deion Sanders, who spent the first five years of his NFL career with Atlanta, wrote in his weekly column for the Fort Myers News-Press that people shouldn't rush to judgment on Michael Vick and his role in alleged dogfighting. The column resulted in a flurry of complaints to the News-Press, according to the paper's Website.

Sanders wrote: "What a dog means to Vick might be a lot different than what he means to you or I...

"Some people kiss their dogs on the mouth. Some people let their dogs eat from their plate. Some people dress their dogs in suits more expensive than mine, if you can believe that.

"And some people enjoy proving they have the biggest, toughest dog on the street. You're probably not going to believe this, but I bet Vick loves the dogs that were the biggest and the baddest. Maybe, he identified with them in some way."

Sanders also said that Vick isn't the only athlete involved in dogfighting.

"I believe Vick had a passion for dogfighting. I know many athletes who share his passion. The allure is the intensity and the challenge of a dog fighting to the death. It's like ultimate fighting, but the dog doesn't tap out when he knows he can't win."

Sanders went on to write that he thinks federal prosecutors are after "the big fish."

"Was he wrong? Absolutely," wrote Sanders. "Was he stupid? Can't argue with that. Was he immature? No doubt. But is he the ringleader? I just can't see it."

To read Sanders' entire column, click here.