Michael Vick, Dog Fighting and Public Opinion
Posted: Friday, August 14, 2009
by Steve Kovacs
The Kovacs Perspective
The famous or should I say infamous, professional football player Michael Vick is an NFL player again. At one time, he was the highest paid football player in the country. However, in 2007 he was convicted of conspiracy and running a dogfighting ring. He served 18 months in prison and was released recently from Federal custody.
Along with his sentence, the NFL indefinitely suspended him. Well, indefinitely did not last very long. This July, the NFL conditionally lifted his suspension. Moreover, a few days ago the Philadelphia Eagles signed the quarterback to a one-year contract with an option for a second year. The Eagles are looking for a super bowl win that has been so close yet so far for them. They are thinking Vick might tip the scales in their favor.
I am happy he was convicted and sent to prison for as long as he was. His sentence was an appropriate one we do not see often enough. Too often, those with money skate, and by skate I mean they get away with an insignificant punishment. That did not occur in this case and kudos to the prosecutor and judge.
Now, he is back in the NFL, mainstreamed into society and people have mixed feelings. Many are conflicted about if he should he be barred for life from his high profile livelihood or not. I say no he should not. He paid his debt to society. He also has said words of contrition and regret. Personally, I hoped he would have made public service announcements against dogfighting, which could have changed young minds about the cruel practice.
Yet, with all my negative feelings about Vicks actions, I still believe he should be given another chance at participating in his profession. People should be given the chance to go on and work after leaving prison. They have served their time and it is time for them to go forth and be different, hopefully. Without being given these chances, millions of people would be at a distinct disadvantage and more of a burden on society.
However, personally, I choose not to watch any games he participates in. It certainly is my right and in this situation, it is my choice. I may forgive in the larger sense but I cannot forget so quickly.
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Top-level comments on this article: (10 total)Hi Steve, I am left with mixed feelings. First of all, I don't know why we as a society pay people so much money to play (not to say they don't have a hard training regimen and have to travel) but the salaries they make is way beyond what they are worth. I choose not to watch a lot of the high priced sports, I'd rather give the money to one of my charities. I do think if they continue to allow people like Vick to resume a professional career after not only gamgling for profit, but for the lack of human compassion he showed for animals, they are just driving another stake into Pete Rose's heart. As you mentioned, it's all about winning the super bowl, not about doing what's right. Blessings, Doc Golden, Blue Springs, MOI did not even think about Pete Rose, good point. Yes, they get paid way too much for what they do and too many look at them as gods as well. I read today that Vick is going to start a campaign against dogfighting, on his own--we'll see. Thanks for writing as I appreciate your opinion and outlook. Thanks...
It is ironic that Michael Vick, who tortured and killed, is given another chance to play football, but Pete Rose, who hurt no one but himself by gambling, is banned from baseballHi Mike and as I just wrote to another person who commented, I did not even think of Rose, good point--that's why getting other's input makes for a more complete article, story, hypothesis etc--THANKS Mike
hi steve,i watched this young man as he made his "act of contrition" and, to me, he didn't seem very contrite, just simply trying to regain his status.oh, he may very well be sorry-but i wasn't convinced it wasn't about being caught more than it was about hurting and killing dogs.if he is all geared up in his uniform and gear, and is capable of doing these things, what's to say he won't try to hurt another player, just to win a game, or get his name in the papers.to me, he likes the spotlight a little too much.there is something lacking in someone who can look at an animal minding it's own business, and throw it into a ring to fight another animal that was minding it's own business, and then gathering a crowd, who of course paid money, to watch this barbaric act.i will close with this: i went to high school with someone who set cats on fire for fun (thakfully i never witnessed this)this boy became a man, and died of cat's scratch fever!my best to you,sueI cannot disagree with anything you talk about and about the cat scratch fever, wow! What goes around comes around? Thanks for taking the time to express your feelings.
I heard Vick say in an interview he matured a lot during hi time in prison. I believe he has learned through his mistakes. By the way Steve I can't leave responses on my articles I don't know what's wrong with my article section. I sent a note to Bill to checkup on it. So I'll respond in this comment Thank you for commenting on my article "I don't know I just don't know"
Sure, Vick gets a second chance. He'll get booed out of the game, probably. Actually, on second thought, he might not: people in sports have very long memories for statistics, yet very short memories for scandal.I don't watch football (Gasp - someone in Texas who doesn't watch football! Get a rope!) and so I have no problem not watching him. I won't pretend he didn't do anything wrong, and I certainly won't pretend he's sorry: this wasn't a did-it-once-and-got-caught kind of thing.Well done article, Steve.Hi Mike, Yeah, he probably is not sorry, but only he really knows. Lots of fans are angry but I suspect that if he wins and he's great at the game many will forget. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment--all my best--Steve
Hi Steve,
I wrote about Vick when this first happened and followed up on it with two articles since, I believe. I believe in second chances. There are conditions I place on it. If they went to prison say, unlike Pete Rose, but like Vick, then they should be allowed to continue.
This is not iron clad because Phelps didn't go to prison but I don't think he should have been prohibited from competing for the rest of his life. His punishment was enough. I think he may have become a man over his incident.
Coach Pitino (sp?) won't go to prison for being an adulterer and shouldn't be given a second chance so readily.
I will add, they were too tough on Rose. It's all good for discussion but I don't take it lightly because it's also reality. Don't get me started on the pay scale!
I'm late but still enjoyed this piece. Thanks!
Steve, your article is true for you as you stated. Sadly, I have been a young man also. Do I wish I could take some things back, sure? It is difficult to understand how some dog lovers can be twofold in their love for their pets. Notice I said Love. Did you know men and women go to prison for have a relationship with their pets. One woman opened her mouth in error on one of the TV programs when she said: "He bit my Vagina." Note,&;her dog bit it. In regards to Vic and the profound dog lovers, which is the worst, someone else abusing pets or the lover of pets abusing pets. The Bible speaks of this also. I am sure you can find all this on the computer. Abuse of dogs animals come in many forms. My neighbor has 3 dogs. She lives in a 4000 (??) sq ft home. She walks them AM, Noon, and PM, that is good. However, I asked, when do you let them run around? She said, "I do not want them to get hurt. I think the dogs are enslaved, they are in prison. Some time ago, my Father/Mother had 3 acres, the dogs rumped and jumped as they wished. That, I can understand. You were right, Football is Vic's job. He should be able to be employed at his craft.Yes, it is his job and he should be given the opportunity to work--let us all hope he is a changed man and who knows as a bonus, that he can change other peoples minds about dog fighting. Thanks for writing.
Steve,Interesting and well written article. However, I totally disagree with you. He severed his time. Society and you need to move on- emotionally and psychologically.There have been alot worse things done to human beings, and yet the nothing has been done and no time has been served. The housing sub-prime lending parasites that have robbed people of there life savings, and the maggots on wall street that feed off the decay of lost people in financial dismay.Simply, you have you or opinion. I have mine, and know I am right.All the bestLawrenceOkay Lawrence, your opinion is clear and I appreciate your kind words that you mention in your comment. I also appreciate that you took the time to read, comment and offer your opinions for others to reflect on. Thank You.
If you're so in love with children, then perhaps you should blog about the fact that, in the US one out of ever six male children are victims of molestation or incest. If you're so in love with children, then perhaps blogging about the children born into poverty and suggesting a solution would be helpful. If you're so in love with children, then talk about the little girls who are victims of molestation and incest. Giving attention to Michael Vick, the profitable NFL and Vick's childhood friends who obviously haven't grown in their thinking is not productive. It was michael vick's property. He did none of the things of which you are accusing him. He took the fall because it was his property, he's a public figure and hell the media and its faithful fans needed something miserable to keep them company.
Well, thanks for taking the time to read it and to comment.
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