Column: Vick doesn’t deserve second chance in NFL
MEDIA GENERAL NEWS SERVICE
Published: May 23, 2009
When Michael Vick applies for reinstatement to the NFL, he must hope Commissioner Roger Goodell does not have a nearby copy of the indictment that was filed in U.S. District Court in July of 2007.
If Goodell is reminded how the dogs at Bad Newz Kennels were treated—drowned, electrocuted, strangled, shot, slammed to the floor—he never will let the quarterback step on an NFL field again.
Nothing can erase the sickening feeling that comes from reading the indictment.
The nearly $1 million Vick has paid for the care of the dogs that survived at Bad Newz Kennels will not do it.
The knowledge that Vick has missed two NFL seasons, lost millions of dollars and suffered public humiliation hardly are salves for the wounds Vick inflicted on defenseless animals.
Vick does not deserve a second chance in the NFL.
Finishing his sentence in July does not mean he has earned a chance to return to professional football.
All Vick has earned so far is the opportunity to serve the final months of his sentence under home confinement in Hampton instead of in a federal penitentiary. The transfer process begins today.
In a perfect world, Vick would go on with his life quietly and out of public view.
But the real world is full of disappointment. And to the disappointment of animal rights activists and many animal lovers, Vick almost certainly will play in the NFL again.
Goodell is a disciplinarian. And yet, he reinstated Tank Johnson (two months in jail for a probation violation on gun charges), Adam “Pacman” Jones, a serial miscreant, and a number of drug cheats.
Goodell has a sense of mercy and hope. But he also must have a sense of timing.
Vick can’t have his electronic monitoring device removed one day and report to training camp the next.
That is too much, too soon.
Vick should be suspended for the first eight games of the 2009 season. That will give Goodell and NFL suitors an idea about whether Vick can stay out of trouble. It forces Vick to behave and gives Goodell hope that forced behavior becomes learned behavior.
No one should forget what Vick did, but some good has come from this.
The public outcry over Vick’s crimes galvanized Virginia’s General Assembly to act on animal cruelty bills instead of burying the legislation in committee. Virginia now has some of the strongest animal fighting laws in the country.
That does not mean Vick should be back in the NFL. But someone will take a chance on the former Virginia Tech quarterback.
Vick’s upside is huge. He will not cost much—he has no bargaining power—and if he is anywhere near the player he was, he still can be a game-changer.
The downside is small. There will be a public relations hit. That will diminish if Vick plays well and stays out of trouble. The short-term memory of sports fans is, at times, disappointing.
If Vick doesn’t perform or can’t avoid trouble, he can be released.
In that way, he will resemble the dogs at Bad Newz Kennels who did not perform to Vick’s standards. Only Vick will be shown more mercy and be treated more humanely than they ever were.
Advertisement
Reader Reactions
because i have no life…and nothing better to do with my time.
A message th Chris 72982:
I understand your anger and frustration pertaining to this topic, but Michael Vick didn’t get away with anything because people that get away with stuff don’t do time in prison, no that’s not the way society is, and if you could care less, why why write about this topic suggesting Michael Vick should be beat to near death?
i could careless either way…i dont watch the nfl..i belive they are all over paid sell outs anyway…i still think he should be beaten to neat death for the way he did them dogs…but hey he has or had money..he can get away with anything..because thats the way society is!
Yeah, like Paul Woody’s comments really coincides with the teachings of Jesus Christ! It is possible that Michael Vick did not fully understand how dispicable his actions really were because different people perceive dogs in different ways. I myself would never treat dogs the way Michael Vick treated his dogs, but most people that I spoke with didn’t see what the big deal was. “They’re just dogs!“ was the unanimous quote. Some people show their love for their dog by keeping them indoors, paying top dollar to have professional portraits taken of them, and even have funerals and bury them in pet cemetaries. Some claim they love their dog, but keep them outside. Some only use them as tools to hunt, guard their property, or fight other dogs. Some people never even take their dog to the vet. Some dogs have to seek shelter under the house or the porch. Some have no shelter at all while they remain tied to a tree and have to lay in their own urin and feces. Some people in other countries even eat dogs. Poor people and Southerners culturally view dogs differently from animal rights activist and people who see dogs as members of the family. It is quite possible that Michael Vick had to be re-educated on what dogs mean to some people and how he was treating them. I know he executed the dogs, but he did say at one time that he loved animals. I think in a sick way he thought he really did because in his mind not loving animals meant not having anything to do with them at all. It is possible that Michael Vick has completely changed his philosophy, his mind, and his life. Human beings have the incredible gift of learning and people who learn change their minds. I don’t know what more you could want from the man. What you do to Vick now is not going to reverse the past, but if we can better understand why people think the way they think and can prevent these atrocities from happening again, then we all win. Michael Vick can learn that your actions, not money, can make you a better man, hundreds of dogs lives will be saved, and hopefully, we can learn that pileing on has never helped to make anyone a better person. If Michael Vick is sincerely remorseful and wants to lead a crusade in ending dog fighting, then he deserves a second chance at making a living the best way he knows how; on the football field.
Mike Vick should be allowed to re-enter the NFL jus as murderers, child molesters, wife beaters, robbers, and all other criminals get to re-enter the work field. Don’t get me wrong, animal abuse is wrong and against the law, plus what he did was deplorable. If we let these other criminal back into the work place why not Mike Vick. We must really come to grip with reality here people. Nothing and no one should be abuseed or misused in any way form or fashion, but Mike Vick has not commited a crime against MAN. He should be allowed to continue his NFL career, he paid his debt to society and that’s all he can do.
No way should this animal be allowed to return to his former means of absurdly overpaid employment.
There was/is talk of a reality show as well?
I mean what gives? You can act like a thug, abuse animals, people, etc. get paid millions of dollars to PLAY A GAME for a living (which contributes nothing worthwhile to society) and you get busted, spend a few days in a luxury jail cell, pay a few dollars in fines from your millions made to play a game for a living, and then your former employer will consider letting you have your job back? Come on? That shows you right there what the priority for the NFL and team owners is : MONEY. GREED.
Michael Vick should be stripped of every penny he’s ever earned, all the money should be distributed to animal shelters across the US and he should have to spend the rest of his days employed voluntarily as a kennel cleaner for one month in every animal shelter in the US.
Treat him like the animal he is.
There is No way Vick should be allowed to play again unless the stadium fans are allowed to treat him like he did the dogs if HE makes a mistake.
Advertisement