Michael Vick to Play NFL Football Again
Published August 14, 2009
Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, who recently completed a two-year prison sentence for dog-fighting charges, has signed a two year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Vick was recently reinstated by the NFL after being suspended indefinitely in 2007 following his criminal charges. Vick served a 23 month sentence for bankrolling a dog-fighting operation out of one of his homes. Vick admitted dogs were "executed" if they failed to perform. Some were drowned or electrocuted.
Animal rights organizations are concerned about the message Vick's signing sends. The Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said in a statement it was "incredibly disappointed." The organization's chief executive officer said she believes it will be hard for many Eagles fans "to root for someone who participated in the hanging, drowning, electrocution and shooting of dogs."
The CEO of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), said in a statement that "Commissioner Roger Goodell and the Philadelphia Eagles have granted Michael Vick a second chance, and the ASPCA expects Mr. Vick to express remorse for his actions, as well as display more compassion and sound judgment this time around than he did during his previous tenure with the NFL."
Vick has yet to comment on the deal, but when he was reinstated by the NFL last month said, "I fully understand that playing football in the NFL is a privilege, not a right, and I am truly thankful for [the] opportunity I have been given. As you can imagine, the last two years have given me time to re-evaluate my life, mature as an individual and fully understand the terrible mistakes I made in the past and what type of life I must lead moving forward."
Do you believe Vick has changed? Is he sorry? Should he be allowed to play professional football again? Leave a comment and let us know what you think.
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Comments (8)
Michael Vick didn't do ONE MINUTE in jail for animal cruelty. Only for the funding of illegal gambling. Lynch the terrorist!
Forgive Vick's horrible past out of the field and give him another chance to show his incomparable talents on the gridiron.
The punishment to be benched almost all time during the last NFL season, after two years spent behind bars, seems sufficient.
Let Michael Vick play football again, because he's nowadays the only quarterback who can scramble with panache and efficacy.
He should be thrown into a ring with a rabid dog thus being tortured. His NFL contract should be revoked. Finally, the NFL/Atlanta Falcons should be required to donate the money they would have paid him to PETA or ASPCA.
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While I find Michael Vick's behavior despicable, the bottom line is he was sentenced to prison. He did serve his time. He does have to prove himself to all of us with his behavior going forward, but we must judge him on just that because he has already been judged for what has occurred in the past. I am as legalistic as the next right-wing fundamentalist but enough is enough- let him show what he is made of starting today. Until he proves himself unworthy just shut up!