It is almost time for the beginning of training camp and the summer lull is about to end. With that it is almost time for Roger Goodell to get off Mount Rainer and get back to work.There have been plenty of pundits who have pleaded to the commissioner not to reinstate Michael Vick. Their reasoning typically being that Michael is a hardened criminal and mediocre quarterback who was the darling of the NFL. They give his lying to the commissioner about his activities as reason for a life-long ban.
Let’s review the environment which led to Michael’s involvement in criminal activity. Michael was the second of four children to Brenda Vick and Michael Boddie. His parents were teenagers when Michael was born, and they lived in public housing in Newport News, Virginia. As a 10 year old, Michael would often go fishing or on long walks to escape the drugs, violence and drive-by shootings of his neighborhood.
Fast forward to 2001. After finishing third in the Heisman voting, Michael leaves Virginia Tech for the NFL and is the first player taken in the NFL draft by the Falcons. Upon arriving in Atlanta he is intercepted by civil rights activist Andrew Young, who was formerly the mayor of Atlanta and a United Nations ambassador. He advises Michael to become involved in the Atlanta community and shed the “ghetto loyalty” of Newport News.
Unfortunately, Michael did not heed Mr. Young’s advice. He continued his association with his homeboys . In 2004, two “friends” are caught driving one of Michael’s truck and are arrested for possession of marijuana. In 2005, Michael is accused of giving a woman genital herpes and using a false identity “Ron Mexico.” Finally, in 2006, Michael is fined $10,000 for an obscene gesture at Saints fans.
Michael’s involvement in Bad Newz Kennels is well documented. This ultimately blunder lead to his 23-month incarceration in Leavenworth, suspension from the NFL and personnel bankruptcy. Has Michael Vick suffered enough? Has he paid back his debt to society for his illegal and cruel activities? Has he truly changed?
Does he deserve a second chance in a country known for second chances?
Ultimately, the decision rests with Mr. Goodell, but the lesson to be learned from this is more about ghetto loyalty and its impact on young athletes and performers. Is Michael Vick truly just a bad seed, or rather a byproduct of his environment? Regardless, would the Kansas City Chiefs ever take a chance on him? Will any team? Will Goodell even allow that to happen/ Just look at the cost of Vick’s associations, even after he’s lost everything he may not even be given a chance to get any of it back. He might even have to go to the UFL. All because of ghetto loyalty.
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I think part of Goodell’s decision will be based on the terms of Vick’s house arrest; and I think it should be. If his terms say ne cannot leave the state under any conditions, then he can’t play football anywhere but in-state.
And for the record, I’m more broke than that guy.
Michael Vick knowingly and intentionall broke the law in a most inhumane way. He should not be allowed to play in the NFL again,, unless the NFL wants to feel the wrath of many groups or activists. When is enough, enough?
Michael Vick should be made an example.
What can’t be argued here is that Vick has had terrible people around him growing up. What also can’t be argued is that what he did was wrong. But if you are letting people who kill or paralyze human beings back into the game after paying way less of a debt to both the league and society, you can’t ban Vick after he’s paid his dues. Not fair. Period.
Yes, but Leonard Little (DUI), Stallworth (DUI), Burress (shot himself), etc. were just plain stupid, they did not intentionally mean harm to anyone or thing. (I am not condonig DUI either)
It is one thing to be negligent, careless or even reckless, but intentionaly harming others, (animal or not), is on another completely sinister level. IMO.
I pitty the franchise that takes on Michael Vick.
Please pardon my spelling. I type too fast.
There is no way you can say that DUI is not as intentional a crime as dog fighting. People know that drinking and driving causes a huge rick, slows reaction times, etc. yet these athlete and 100’s of people out there still do it. Maybe not reinstating stallworth (Little happened when the NFL commish did nothing to anyone so that is no surprise)and then make him do public service ads would teach athletes and everyone else that its not only someone else’s life that is being ruined when you drink and drive.
sthall20:
You are absolutely right, DUI is terrible. I do not condone it. Most people intentional decide or constructively know that they will be driving later after they have had a few. Although drinking and driving can be intentional, DUI drivers do not intend on killing or maiming even though they should know that is the likely outcome.
I was more referring to Mr. Vick’s deliberate assault and killing of animals, (not the dog fighting crime itself), but the intentional execution of a living thing.
In a country that euthanizes thousands of dogs every day for the simple fact that no one wants them. The audacity to compare poor decision making practices that only had the same affect as the ” humane society ” efficiently does, is erroneous! Let a grown man consume alcohol and then make a decision to drive. Why are we debating the value of human life to that of a dog?
It is clear what is more precious…….I do not think that anyone who has lost a loved on to a drunk driver would have any issue with seeing Michael Vick play in the NFL. He has paid his debt to society and should be allowed to pursue his dream……..after all many of you who judge this man have dui convictions and have already played your game of russian roulette with very little consiquence!