Why Michael Vick Should Get A Second Chance
August 15, 2009 by Barry
Filed under Coach's Corner, SDL Conversations
When the Michael Vick story originally broke, it was hard to find people who weren’t disgusted by the description of his dog fighting business.
So now, after twenty three months of jail time, has he paid his debt to society enough not to wear one of the most hated athletes banner?
That is a personal decision by each and every one of us. I have to admit, as an animal lover ( I have 2 dogs & 4 cats, all but one rescued), I still find it hard to stomach what he did.
Here are my questions and answers for sitting back and giving Michael Vick a second chance. I also included some quotes from his press conference at the end.
He served his time (23 months) should he be allowed back in the NFL?
His debt to society has been fulfilled according to his sentence. If the Philadelphia Eagles, feel that he can benefit their team, why shouldn’t they hire him? If Michael Vick was a plumber, would he still be able to find work as a plumber after he was released from jail? He is a professional football player. That is his profession. He has every right to find employment. We all know the NFL is really in the entertainment business. The Philadelphia Eagles must feel he will sell more tickets and help them to a Super Bowl. An interesting side note is Donavan McNabb and Michael Vick are good friends. Vick stayed with McNabb during his recruiting trip to Syracuse and they have been close ever since. McNabb was instrumental in bringing Vick to the Eagles. If you can’t stomach watching, don’t buy the tickets and turn off the tv. My guess, he will create a huge turnout.
Could Michael Vick really be a changed man?
It appears from all I have read and seen, prison did have an effect on him. Losing ones freedom can cause some serious reflection, especially for someone so privileged. Having Tony Dungy as a mentor speaks volumes. No one in the sports arena is respected more. He is the right person to guide Michael Vick. Lastly, if you don’t believe a person can change and turn their life around, look no further than our last president, George W. Bush. Regardless of your party affiliation, he has to be respected for admitting to abusing alcohol until he was 40 and then quit. He went on to become the President of the United States. Michael Vick’s journey does not need to go quite so far.
Is he truly remorseful?
Some will say he is just sorry for getting caught or feels remorse because of all he lost. Others might feel he is showing genuine remorse for his actions. I believe it could be both! Of course he is sorry for getting caught and everything he lost. I’m sure everyday of his twenty three months, he had to think, how did I let this happen? I can’t believe I lost my career, gone bankrupt, and my freedom. But at the same time, I also believe he could gain a sense of what he did wrong. How his actions affected his family, his career, and how wrong his beliefs were about dog fighting by listening to others and learning.
Is Michael Vick’s association with the Humane Society genuine?
My first reaction was, of course he would align himself with animal rights groups and the Humane Society. What better way to try and rehabilitate his image? As far as PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is concerned, their opinion doesn’t carry much weight with me. They are just too over the top. After all, President Obama’s killing of a fly on TV was not acceptable to the organization’s leaders. Enough said.
However, what did have an influence on me was the statement made in the LA Times by the Humane Society’s president and chief executive, Wayne Pacelle. Recognizing the importance of Michael Vick playing for the Eagles he said, “It’s a city ( Philadelphia) we’ve been looking at very closely because it has a major dogfighting problem,” Pacelle said in a phone interview today with our colleague Sam Farmer. “So Vick’s landing there has the potential to turn around the issue. This gives us a big boost.”
Sounds to me he might be able to have a positive impact in the city and beyond.
What good can come from hating Michael Vick?
Some will never be able to get over it. Some will march and protest forever. I am not going to use my energy in that way. Instead, I am going to watch closely, and see if he truly is a changed man. If he isn’t, I can be disgusted by him. But maybe, just maybe he has seen the errors of his way. He would then have the ability to have an impact on our youth and hopefully in the culture of dog fighting. Check back with me later.
Excerpt from Michael Vicks new conference:
Vick said: “I was wrong for what I did. Everything at that point in my life was wrong, I was involved in pointless activity. We all do certain things and have things in our lives. I think everyone deserves a second chance. But you only get one chance at a second chance and I am conscious of that.
We all used the excuse of it being part of the culture. I don’t think that’s right. i saw peoples’ reactions once I went to prison, and I realize they care about their animals. That’s why I want to help animals, do what I have to do. I want to help more animals than I hurt.
It was a part of my life that I felt was wrong, I was trying to turn the corner but it was too late. There is a reason for everything in life. I have to deal with that shame and embarrassment. I knew it was wrong. It was unethical and inhumane. I paid my debt to society, two years away from my family. It was a humbling experience. I can’t express how sorry I was. I had to explain to my three kids it was because of Daddy’s faults. I wanted a second chance at being a better father and to show them the way.”
‘I’ve done some horrible things”
What are your thoughts on Michael Vick’s return? Love it? Hate It?
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I don’t think the day will ever come when I don’t think of Michael Vick and not also think about what he did to helpless animals. There is something inherently wrong with anyone who can do that kind of harm.
Does he deserve another chance, has he changed, does he have something to offer society other than throwing a football? Who knows. In my home the jury is still out and only time will tell.
I agree Cathy. What he did will never be forgotten. I am hoping that he can create and do some good teaching others about his past vile wrong doings.