As Michael Vick’s new life begins, hope remains. Yes, hope.
He’s not quite free and clear, but he’s out of prison. That’s a start. Michael Vick can begin to get on with the rest of his life, and we should wish him well. Because he’s not some demon. He’s a human being who made dire mistakes.
And he continues to pay for them. He’ll wear an ankle bracelet. He can’t go to a bar. He can’t vote. He’ll need to earn his way back into the good graces of Roger Goodell and the American public, and it won’t be easy. But there’s a story waiting to be written, a story as uplifting as these past two years have been deflating.
Michael Vick needs to talk to us, and soon. He needs to tell us he’s sorry and that his time behind bars has changed him, made him wiser, redoubled his determination not to mess up the rest of his life. He needs now to throw himself on the mercy of the American public and see how merciful it can be.
Because a lot of people would be willing to forgive him. (Not to forget, but to forgive.) I know. I’m among them. But he has to ask.
Understand: Vick wasn’t a victim of runaway justice. He admitted his crimes and has paid a price almost beyond measure. But his life isn’t over, and so long as life remains there’s the possibility of redemption. He’s 28. He has time. He can change our perception yet again.
Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.He deserves the chance to play football. PETA will protest, but PETA is famous for overplaying its hand. (Have Vick submit to a brain scan? Who’s writing this stuff – Joe McCarthy? Arthur C. Clarke?) If he finds an owner willing to absorb the backlash, he can make us remember why it was we came to notice Michael Vick. Contrary to revisionist history, he’s not a bad quarterback. Three Pro Bowls, as I recall.
He won’t be playing here, and that’s for the best. He needs a restart, and the Falcons have a different quarterback. But that doesn’t mean we can excise his name from team annals. Vick rekindled the flame when this franchise had gone cold. He made us care. That’s why it hurt so deeply to see him fail.
And it wasn’t Vick the player who failed. It was Vick the person, Vick the stealth dogfighter, the Vick nobody around here saw. (You say you knew he was a bad guy all along? On what evidence? The water bottle? Please.) His failure loosed a deluge of racial back-and-forth that missed the point, for this was never about a demographic profile. This was about one man and his misdeeds, one man who owned a city but went to jail.
And now he’s out. And now he can move forward, and so can we. Amid all the motion, here’s a hope that he gets it right from now on, so right that in five years we’ll see Michael Vick not as a fallen idol but as an indomitable soul who triumphed over abject disgrace.
Yes, he did wrong. But after all that has transpired, Michael Dwayne Vick has it within him to do right. I’ve been disappointed in him, but I’m not yet ready to give up. Not on this one. There’s a heart in there somewhere, a good heart. I believed as much on that sorrowful day he entered his plea, and I believe it still.
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423 comments Add your comment
ndadome
May 20th, 2009
9:53 am
I thought your column was well written and your point was well made. The more of these posts I read the more I see that people hear what they want to hear, regardless of what is actually said. Being in sales, I know that it’s not enough just to have a good deal. .customers have to be smart enough to “know” that it’s a good deal. I guess the same applies to your readership. At any rate, I agree with you about Mike Vick. .there is hope, and I wish him well.
PoliticalMan
May 20th, 2009
9:53 am
The biggest problem with Vick is that he is not particularly bright, which leads to bad decisions and even worse people using him. And throw in a big dose of lack of maturity. He probably needs sympathy, but he’s not going to get it. It would be good if he could put a life together, but his hurdles are huge. I don’t see many positives for Vick in the future.
All I'm Saying Is...
May 20th, 2009
9:54 am
Excellent article, Bradley.
My two cents: Vick has been convicted and served his time. Now he will have to live with what he did for the rest of his life. People who hate what he did and do not want it forgiven or forgotten (whether PETA or others) can follow him around and remind all of what he did if they so choose. (However, if you are a religious person, then endlessly persecuting someone for their mistake or sin is not what faith teaches.)
Vick does not have a right to play in the NFL. Goodell, however, will likely have to reinstate him or be subject to a lawsuit given that Vick has paid his debt to society.
Vick can try to make a team if any team is willing to deal with the likely protests (large or small in number, it doesn’t matter). And I think it would be the highest form of hypocrisy for the NFL, Goodell, and the teams to allow persons to try out for their teams who have in their actions or negligence killed people but not allow Vick to do so.
Fish2774
May 20th, 2009
9:55 am
When you throw a rock remember there’s one coming right back at you. So look around hypocrites. Good Luck MV7
Al Beeski
May 20th, 2009
9:56 am
I am a huge MV7 fan, but man after reading Lester Munson’s article on the mothership online, man he was STUPID! Vick has paid his debt to society, but he HAS to surround himself with a different set of individuals or he will be back in prison again, just like Tony Taylor said. I hope he gets a second chance, but he really needs to leave characters like “whoop” & “woody” alone.
DirtyBird040
May 20th, 2009
9:57 am
Good Luck Vick, I hope you move up from here.
chzbykr
May 20th, 2009
9:58 am
Well said ” allenlaw “. You make strident and valid points about Vick. I have been negative and expecting the worse. But as you say he shouldn’t be the brunt of all our collective frustrations with athletes and society as a whole.
willdave
May 20th, 2009
9:58 am
Mark Bradley, I admire you for sticking by Vick after all the trouble, disgrace, failure and disappointment he has brought to the Falcons and our city. I read that he is looking for a co-author for his book. If you haven’t already, you should definitely give the man a call about that opportunity.
GOP lost in confederated space
May 20th, 2009
9:59 am
Go Tech610 and miles both are confederated red necks they are true conservative never will they chance full of hate but he will be back and he will play in the dome again watch and see haters!!
roswald ashlock
May 20th, 2009
10:03 am
iam hearing impaired and my deaf parent and brothers knew him very very well when we were lived at newport news,va. we knew his parents very well, too. we hopefully that michael vick learned his lesson but we still love him so much. god bless him.
KMalone
May 20th, 2009
10:03 am
First of all, let’s never put a higher premium on a dog’s life, compared a human being. Trust me, what he was involved was wrong. There’s no justification for what he did to promote this type of crime.
However, let’s put this in proper prospective. There’s a (current NFL) football player, that has actually killed a “human being” driving while intoxicated. And not too long afterwards, received yet another DWI.
http://morningpaper.typepad.com/morning_paper/2007/08/update-update-r.html
So, while I feel that Vick has paid his debt to society. Let’s not forget that a son doesn’t have his mother, because of an “active” NFL football player.
Gatorzone
May 20th, 2009
10:04 am
Vick was and may still be immature, but he was never the menace to society that people have made him out to be. Prison should have matured him and made him appreciate what he lost. My bet is he will be a model citizen and will not have the lapses of stupidity that he had prior to this. Also, I am sure the dogfighting is over forever. I hope and believe he will be productive and a good player for whomever gives him a chance.
time will tell, but I have to remove my own plank before I can cast aspersions based on behavior.
Robert Thomas
May 20th, 2009
10:06 am
Everybody deserve a second chance and so does michael. He paid his debt so lets move on. People have done a lot worst and got second chances and third. Good luck to Mr. Vick dont worry about the haters.
gdg73
May 20th, 2009
10:06 am
He needs only to ask for forgiveness from Jesus Christ. When he forgives, there are no strings attached. Your slate is clean and he does not hold anything over your head. I was and still am one of the biggest Vick fans around, and I don’t feel the need for him to apologize or ask for forgiveness from me. I can’t save his soul and neither can anybody in America.
Bill
May 20th, 2009
10:06 am
Great job Mark. Vick has paid a high price for his sins. 120 million, 2 years in jail, career is a ? mark, and most of all he has hurt alot of friends and fans who loved him. I’m not a PETA fan. They need to clean up their own back yard. They do more harm (in other ways) than good. Vick does need to apologize to his fans,Mr. Blank and Mr. Goodell. It takes a man to say I’m sorry. I believe # 7 will do that.
What kind of people are we that can’t forgive our fellow man?
Mr. Spock
May 20th, 2009
10:08 am
VICK TREK 2: The Hope for Literacy
Paul H
May 20th, 2009
10:09 am
Well written piece. Vick needs to address the public, not because he’s required to, but as a PR move. He needs to win back whatever good graces he can find. He committed a crime and he’s paid for it. He deserved what he got for what he did. But now he deserves a second chance, as long as he’s truly repentent.
Moderator
May 20th, 2009
10:10 am
Do NOT Delete This Post.
Falconette
May 20th, 2009
10:13 am
I am so happy to hear that so many people have a forgiving heart because at one point I wasn’t so sure. I agree that what Vick did was wrong but he has paid the price: he served time, he lost everything he worked so hard for and was humiliated. It is time to forgive and let this man restart his life. He should not be condemned for the rest of his life and not afforded the opportunity to rebuild it. He should be allowed to play in the NFL again and show why we love him so much. Mike, I wish you all the best. I hope all of America gives you the opportunity to redeem yourself. To PETA, you know what you can do!!!!! Good Luck Vick! Falcons, I’m ready for another awesome season! Ryan, you did your thing last season, I’m ready to see more!
Stephen Fritz
May 20th, 2009
10:14 am
Yeah, I agree. He needs to be forgiven, and allowed to move on. Life as an ex-convict, is tough enough. Mike has paid a large debt to society, and he must be allowed to move on with his life as he choose. Everyone must remember this man has little children and a wife to support both spiritually and financially. He should not be a “public verbal punching bag”, for everyone to take a shot at. We all need a “2nd Chance” at some point in our lives. Let’s give him his 2nd Chance at Life. (Football will take care of itself. THINK ABOUT IT!!!
Larry
May 20th, 2009
10:15 am
Would we wish a sex offender well when he exits jail? No, we would monitor him just as this sadistic psychopath should be closely monitored. This wasn’t “a mistake”; it was a pattern of vicious, inhuman behavior that reduced its participants to a more bestial status than the dogs they were torturing and killing.
Also, why does he “deserve” a second chance at the NFL? If a stock broker were caught embezzling funds from his firm or clients, he would never again be allowed back into that industry; if a lawyer is disbarred for a “mistake”, he would never again practice law.
Vick, like everyone else deserves a second chance. However, he deserves a second chance while being closely monitored and in some other field of endeavor than the NFL.
Ross
May 20th, 2009
10:16 am
Greg – at least from my perspective, there is no racism. My favorite sports figures of all time are Henry Aaron and Bob Gibson. What concerns me is the erosion of the one thing that sports can offer that is truly valuable – a moral crucible where determination and character win out against self-interest and sloth. I feel there are “death-penalty” type offenses in sports – cheating (ban all steroid users for life), gambling on one’s own team (ban for life), etc. Vick has crossed many thresholds after being given chance after chance – his contempt for the fans was clear before the water bottle and the dog pens. Nothing good will come of letting him back into the NFL. Grave offenses should carry grave consequences.
And I would say – what about all the African Americans doing 20 years for drug offenses? These people are the ones who should not be jailed, the ones who will NEVER get a second chance. What about all the African Americans who are falsely convicted, perhaps even sitting on Death Row? What about them? Even when the state relents and they are set free – their lives are ruined.
Vick is a punk, was a punk, will always be a punk. He’s a disgrace to sports and a terrible role model for anyone, kids in particular. To the devil with him, which is where he belongs.
RickyBooby
May 20th, 2009
10:20 am
It has to be said..Frankly we know many of you didn’t like the fact that this guy was the most famous and largest FACE OF THE NFL. You can’t stand it, we know.
Secondly, there is more outrage over a stinking DOG than there is for these innocent children that get mowed down in the streets daily, by both the hoodlums in the community as well as the POLICE.
PETA wackos..why don’t you go make a big fuss about the greyhound racing industry who slaughters and abuse dogs like crazy because of lack of performance. The Kentucky Derby went on without a HITCH this year, YEP…after they MURKED a horse in plain view of everyone last year! Gotta keep the gamblin’ for the privileged going though I guess.
What about your grandfathers and fathers who proudly display their stuffed moose, dear and boar heads after MURKING those defenseless animals?? I’m sorry, we talking about the “upper crust” types now, and I’m talking from the social perspective.
Maybe we oughta have brain scans on all you SAVAGES that continually pack these MMA fight venues to watch two human beings almost pummel each other to death?
So now you basically want to see a man grovel and do a two step for you, hmmm kinda like the 50’s huh? Maybe it’ll make you feel powerful over him again?? He’s paid his debt to society, get over it.
Michael Vick, welcome back to society and best wishes and luck to you. Screw the haters, God forgives you, so you don’t need theirs. Put your nose to the grindstone and work your @$$ off to prove you are the player many knew you could be. You can and WILL be the face of the NFL again, mark my words. Frankly, the league hasn’t been the same since you left.
Poorbrave
May 20th, 2009
10:21 am
Mark you prove again that you have a big HEART! God Bless!
midnite
May 20th, 2009
10:22 am
Good luck for your future, and congratulations on your release from prison Mike Vick. You are still young and can turn your life around and be a positive influence on society.
But really people what does Danny Heatly, Bobby Cox, George Bush, and deer hunters have to do with Mike Vick? Your love of Mike Vick should not equate to your hatred for Arthur Blank, Matt Ryan, and the Falcons. they wre not responsible for his downfall.
Think about your statements they really make idol worshippers sound ignorant. You people that call everyone “haters” are in fact the real haters.
Barry
May 20th, 2009
10:23 am
Hey Y’all;
Great article Mark. You appear to feel what I feel.
Vick gave us here in Atlanta, as Falcons fans, a lot to cheer about. He was one of us. He was a Falcon. We drafted him and he played admirably as any player the Falcons had ever had. Yes, he made a terrible mistake in hanging with “riff raff” friends from his childhood and he did not grow up. But I believe, for him personally, the dog fighting incident was a blessing in disguise. It allowed him to rid himself of those “negative hanger ons” and bad relatives and friends whose reason to be around Vick was to “mooch” off him and try to give him a guilty complex by not helping them because they were childhood friends and were poor together. However, they did not play nor sweat for Vick on the field in high school, college or the pros. He owes them nothing, and their behavior during this dog fighting incident only validates that. They snithched and lied on him for their own benefit. This is now a new beginning for Vick. However, I hope he surrounds himself with righteous people who believe in God. I hope, he himself, if not already, start believing in God and his “POWER”. I hope he understand that his life should be guided, BY GOD FIRST,and everyone and everything else , second: “SEEK YEE THE KINGDOM OF GOD FIRST, AND ITS RIGHTOUSNESS, AND EVERTHING ELSE SHALL BE ADDED”. I hope this brother follow this precept and “no weapon formed against him shall prosper.” including protests, arrogant opinions, etc. But first he must seek, have, and understand God and the place he puts GOD in his heart and life. Believe me, I believe this is a blessing for Mike Vick and I truly wish him well. I enjoyed his play as an Atlanta Falcon and he will always be a Falcon in my heart. But life moves on in Falconland. We wish you the best Mike Vick. May God Bless You in “ONE HEARTBEAT!!!!”.
GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!
This is a SECRET from a FALCON FAN. TELL EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
…………………………”ONE HEARTBEAT, BABY!!!!………………
Ringold
Huh?
May 20th, 2009
10:24 am
I always get a big kick out of these Mike Vick blogs. They are a total waste of time but entertaining nonetheless. LOL @ you people.
mountain_jim
May 20th, 2009
10:25 am
I appreciate this column Mark as I feel the same way. I am glad you mentioned the amazing PETA brain-scan statements. I wish to never hear from that sorry organization. And I am a dog-lover and no-meat eater.
I am glad he reached out to the Humane Society for future work to discourage dog-fighting among the youth. That’s a far better organizataion to rehabilate his image and work off his bad karma.
For those here just for another chance to comdenn and judge and pile on, perhaps you should go read your bible or whatever good book you base your life on and reflect on your own failings and find some forgiveness and empathy for this man. Already the media is massing on his front doorstep, he is still paying for his mistakes and can’t get away from his every action being front-page news.
Franz
May 20th, 2009
10:27 am
I wonder how Danny Heatley is doing in his career after he KILLS his best friend and teammate do to his totally irresponsible behavior?
Oh… “just fine” you say??? I’m sorry.
No suspension? I’m sorry.
No public service announcements and kissing the butts of M.A.D.D? I’m sorry.
No protests at his games?? I’m sorry.
No public outrage over his punkazzness?? I’m sorry.
Shove your self righteous double standards far up your colons hypocrites!
gdg73
May 20th, 2009
10:27 am
Mark Bradley, you can officially shut this blog down now. RickyBobby just summed up the United Hypocrites of America in a nutshell.
VT Hokiefan
May 20th, 2009
10:32 am
I am so sick of this stuff! Look, I went to VT when Mike was there, I loved watching him play in Blacksburg. I loved watching him play in ATL because I was born and raised here and have been a lifelong Falcon fan. Mike fought DOGS!!! Why is it that this man fought dogs, served his time in a federal prison, and has media and thousands of animal activist crazies outside of his house, but some girl in south-Fulton can kill 5 PEOPLE on Easter, flee the scene, get her car fixed, get bailed out a week later after being on the lam for almost a month, and has ZERO protesters at her house?!!! People your priorities are out of whack. If we had “Human Activist” groups that absolutely tormented and ruined people’s lives for doing crimes against other human–even after they’d paid their debt to the court–do you think murders and rapings would go down???
I’m not condoning what Vick did because what he did was horrible and completely beyond reproach. However, I am saying, leave him alone. If you want to protest someone, protest the girl involved in the hit and run (Aimee Michael). Protest the person selling drugs to your kids. Protest the sleazy politician who is using your tax dollars to buy prostitutes.
Loraine
May 20th, 2009
10:32 am
My only “Hope” for Michael Vick is that this monster is NOT able to give any more of his STDs to our beautiful, unsuspecting women or father any additional illegitimate children out of wedlock who have to live with the shame of having such an uncaring & utterly clueless drug user as their DNA donor. (Vick is a DNA donor only, not a “father.”)
Ida
May 20th, 2009
10:34 am
I agree with Leon. You haters out there will not get your blessing because you all want Vick to stay down forever. He has apologize for his actions, and if you did not hear it, it was because you were not listening. There is nothing wrong with loving your animals. However, where were all these negative comments and PETA when these dogs kill innocent children. You all are no where to be found and it does show that you value dogs or animals more than you do humans. I guess you haters are “SIN FREE” and have never made a mistake. Vick has apologized and that is all that he can do. As for as his return football, I hope the Commissioner does re-instate him. He needs a second chance just as everyone else would like another chance. He was great for the Atlanta Falcons when the team had no one coming to the games and he brought action with him, thus increasing the number of tickets. IT IS YOUR OWN PERSONAL FAULT IF YOU HAD VICK ON THIS HOLY THAN THY HEIGHT, HE IS FIRST A HUMAN BEING. He is not beyond mistakes, and neither are us. MICHAEL, I WISH YOU THE BEST AND HOPE SOME TEAM GIVE YOU A CHANCE. IF THE FALCONS WANT SOMEBODY ELSE WILL.
Stephanie
May 20th, 2009
10:34 am
Vick has the right to earn a living but not the guaranteed right to return to the NFL. He deserves the right to start over, not be automatically reinstated to his former level. He was never a great quarterback and never will be one.
C. Carr
May 20th, 2009
10:34 am
Good morning, I am so sick of people like you and the media thinking Micheal Vick owes something!! He don’t! He paid for his crime, now leave him alone. There are so many others who have did worst things with this dog fighting thing and have gotten away free and clear. Leave Mike alone and let him get on with his life. The media has done enough destruction of Michael Vick, let him have his life back!!!!
What!!!
May 20th, 2009
10:35 am
I promise you there is not one NFL teams shaking in their boots afraid of Vick playing again. Has everyone forgot his last two years in Atlanta?
Get real people Vick was figured out long before he went to the slammer!
Now, I do hope that he does get his life back together and play football again but it’s not like he will be a dominating force. Owners can find alot of fast guys who can carry a ball and score a TD without the media destraction. Teams won in the NFL before Vick and continued to win when he was gone. The Falcons being the 1st team that comes to mind.
Najeh Davenpoop
May 20th, 2009
10:39 am
Outstanding article, Mark Bradley.
2/3 of ESPN.com users think Vick should be reinstated and allowed to play with no further punishment. 86% of ESPN.com users think he should get another chance to play at some point. Take note, Roger Goodell.
I’ll leave y’all with this. Sums up Vick’s career in Atlanta pretty well. Idiotic Greg Knapp play call leaves defenders in Vick’s face in the backfield, and despite this, Vick bails him out by turning a negative play into a positive.
matt r
May 20th, 2009
10:40 am
The only problem is this same column was probably written many times while he was still in Atlanta… “he needs to show us he’s wised up, he needs to dump his lousy friends, etc, etc” and the mistakes kept coming. So if history is a guide he will not have learned his lesson. Of course Leavenworth could have changed that. But if I had to be on it, it will be the same old, same old.
Sheryl
May 20th, 2009
10:40 am
Mark,
Thank you for a great article. Thank you for being human enough to forgive and move on. What I find so amazing after reading all of the comments posted here, is how unforgiving and judgmental people can be. First of all Vick owes us nothing. We as consumers, make choices regarding what we purchase, who we support and to whom we open ourselves up to and some of us chose to support Michael Vick. Yes, I think Vick was wrong on many levels and he should be ashamed. However, he has paid his price and deserves a second chance to redeem himself to his family, friends, supporters and most of all of to himself. Healing from within will be the hardest journey he will ever have to face and if he fails everything else around him will fail as well. That’s a process that only him and God can face regardless of what we think about him.
For those of you who are willing to forgive and allow Vick to redeem himself, congratulations you get it! For those of you who continue to make harsh judgments’ and call him disgraceful names shame on you. How about putting yourselves in his shoes for a moment. Suppose you lived your life in the public life. Suppose all of your dirty secrets (and we all have them) were listed on the front page of every news publication all over the world. How then would you react? If you were approached by a local newscaster about your wrongdoings would you admit to it immediately? How many of you cheat on your taxes or tell lies to your family or friends (or ever worse your children) and face them every day telling lie after lie. How many of you Vick haters support your local shelters or give to others less fortunate than yourselves. How many of you are outraged at the lack of protection for our children and the state of education in our society. Are we all doing our part to help create change?
Where are these hateful remarks when other high profile athletes are in trouble almost daily yet you pay your money to support them every time they are on a field? Truth be told, if we went through all of the sports organizations today we could probably find buckets of simple infractions and heinous acts that are lying dormant because the public has no idea what happened. Suppose it was discovered that there are several teams with players who dogfight, sell drugs, molest children, abuse their wives, killed innocent people, were repeat DUI offenders, would you protest them and call them hateful names? Or are you okay with them continuing to play the sport they love and we continue to buy tickets to see them.
We spend countless dollars on the latest sneaker and sports memorabilia yet we don’t hold them accountable. If we did we would all be at the local arenas every week protesting. That certainly wouldn’t make much fun now would it? I am in no way trying to pass judgment on anyone here. All I am asking is that you think before you speak and be careful what you say. You just might be judging yourself someday.
Marie
May 20th, 2009
10:40 am
Can any of you Vick haters or folks like Mark Bradley who thinks he owes us yet another apology; tell me of anyone involved in the Iditarod dog racing who has ever served time in federal prison? No, I didn’t you could.
And before you begin all this nonesense about the Iditarod being legal I think you should bother to do a little research about what happens to the dogs that run in this race. After taking the time to do that then please come back and tell me why in the name of the 10th Amendment (the one that deals with equal protection under the law) should Michael Vick spend 23 months of his life in a federal prison and those involved in this “dog sport” go on with their lives and careers as if its no big deal. It is a fact that dogs die during the course of this race (same as dogfighting). As a matter of fact 6 died this year, 2 as a result of their owner (an Alaskan doctor) continuing to race the dogs through a blizzard and icy waters. Outside of the race season, many dogs owners keep their dogs on tethers and chains (same as dogfighting) because they have so many. Dogs who are determined to be unable to run fast or pull the owner’s sled are routinely killed by their owners (same as dogfighting). One Alaskan owner who had underperforming puppies — bashed his puppies in the head with the blunt of an ax and threw their remains in an icy river.
I am not arguing for or against the Iditarod; frankly I could care less what the folks who live in Alaska do; its the right of the citizens of that state to have or not have this yearly race.
But I do believe in fairness and if two individuals are committing acts of the same or similar transgressions then they ought to be held equally responsible. One person should not be held to public ridicule while the other individual is allowed to live wihthout any recriminations.
So for those of you who love to get on your high horse about Vick did this, Vick did that, he’s a thug, he’s scum, he needs to suffer the same fate as those animals; please give me a freakin break. YOU are a hypocrite and this country is filled with hypocrisy. Folks we have long let the horse out of the barn centuries ago and have always sacrificed the lives of animals, unborn babies, the sick, the elderly and yes humans of a certain race for the convenience and/or pleasure of the living. And we will continue to do it in the future — so please put your manufactured anger back in your pocket.
Michael Vick is not the sympton or source of the issues in this country and he should only apologize when the US Congress passes a law which abolishes interstate commerce for the Iditarod race, greyhound racing, and horse racing. And he should take his place in line behind other owners who have culled their underperforming animals.
earlyday
May 20th, 2009
10:40 am
You know “midnite” you could really benefit from some unnarrowminding.
For the record, most people who support Mike Vick have no hatred for Arthur Blank, the Falcons or Matt Ryan, but it’s obvious what you are trying to imply. Arthur Blank is a WONDERFUL man, we are smart enough to know that he took a personal interest in Mike Vick and wanted him to be successful, he only had to protect his BUSINESS interest. The Atlanta Falcons had a great season, and the Mike Vick supporters in the stands cheered just a loudly for Matt Ryan – as he demonstrated that he was a special talent. They also continue to support the Falcons in spirit and monetarily through ticket purchases even though Vick is no longer with the team. Just because someone continues to wear a “7″ jersey at the game doesn’t mean they hate the team or the owner. Maybe they are just nostalgic about the most exciting player to ever don an Atlanta Falcon uniform? I hope I have helped you see past your own predjudices, my guess is though I haven’t and can’t. Give people more credit than you have.
C. Carr
May 20th, 2009
10:42 am
Your promises don’t mean nothing to me! Wait and see!!
C. Carr
May 20th, 2009
10:44 am
Thank you Marie!!!! My sentiments exactly!!!
Gatorzone
May 20th, 2009
10:49 am
SHeryl, well said! That sums up how I feel completely.
Just curious
May 20th, 2009
10:51 am
Its clear that many of the comments have no regard for the legal system. No matter where you stand on the dogfighting issue. He has done his time and paid his punnishment. The naysayers comments reek of racism. Of course, none of us want to go to work to the reality that Vick earns 10 times what we earn, but thats the reality of pro sports, stop HATING. And BUGKILLER.. poor thing you, must work at Walmart.
THE BEAR Illegitimi non carborundum
May 20th, 2009
10:53 am
I have read all these comments with a great deal of interest. I see two groups, one with an easy all forgiving attitude and another with a locked in sense of condemnation. Nothing is needed to continue the loving feelings of the first and nothing can salve the second.
Hmmm, where do I stand? I see Michael Vick as a pathological liar and a very bad human being, a man who will run roughshod over anyone who gets in his way, teammates or friends alike. I see very little to justify him ever again playing football in the NFL.
For those who try to compare him with the player who killed someone while driving drunk. That man didn’t set out that night intending to kill someone with his car. Vick INTENDED to do what he did.
On the other hand he has paid the price our court system designated. It is now time to move on. But to where? I would like to see Vick make something of his life outside football. Let him learn humility, let him learn human decency, let him learn that life exacts a price from all of us for our meanness and bad decisions and that he is no different. Michael Vick didn’t make “mistakes,” Michael Vick made “decisions.” And most of them were very bad decisions. He is the last person I would want living next door and that is how I ultimately judge people. I could never trust him as a next door neighbor. Could you?
PMC
May 20th, 2009
10:53 am
I do also honestly hope that he can cope ok with 1000 media members camped out in the street in front of his house.
Tough to ignore that amount of blood suckers.
MrKnowGood
May 20th, 2009
10:54 am
Very well written. However, there is one point that I have to disagree with…”His failure loosed a deluge of racial back-and-forth that missed the point, for this was never about a demographic profile…”
Unfortunately, this has ALWAYS been about a demographic profile. There is a reason Pres Clinton enjoyed almost unanimous support from the black community during his impeachment. There is also a reason Michael Vick continues to enjoy almost unanimous support in the black community. And that reason (unfortunately), has everything to do with race.
Racism runs very deep in America; and most black people know how it feels to be judged and prejudged by “well-meaning” white folk. As Jeff Schultz has repeatedly shown, “white hypocrisy” [judges, politicians, reporters, sports columnists, etc who are outraged over the misdeeds of "those people" but tend to overlook/diminish the misdeeds of people "like them" -- all while hiding behind their supposed moral standards] is very prevalent even in the most “color-blind” situations.
Peter King (SI) noted that there are wife beaters, steroid users, drug sellers, compulsive gamblers, alcoholics, etc. who have been caught, convicted (but served less jail time than Vick), and allowed to continue to play the game.
Unfortunately, the problem with people like Jeff Schultz and others, who claim moral outrage, is that they never understood that Michael Vick HAS ALWAYS been more worthy of forgiveness than that wife beater, steroid user, etc.
That lack of understanding has always been about race (”those people”, “thugs”, etc). And that is the point that was missed during the entire Michael Vick saga. How many times did Newt Gingrich condemn Clinton for having an affair while on his way to see his mistress? And I wonder how many skeletons lie in the closet of PETA members who say Michael Vick should suffer the same fate as his dogs. I wonder how many of them have ever killed a spider (which is considered a pet to some people)?
So to answer your question, Michael Vick does not need to apologize to anyone. He has paid a very steep price for being one of “those people”.
P.S. Please forward this to Jeff Shultz…
NRBQ
May 20th, 2009
10:56 am
One vital question rears its head, Mark.
Where the Hell is Ted Stryker?
Amazing
May 20th, 2009
10:57 am
Bullfighting, Deer Hunting, or any other hunting for that matter. Cock fighting, and even Frisbee throwing and catching can harm animals. We Americans are a pias bunch, sadly. Simply Amazing. One of the writers talked about God, and I’m with them. God will be the judge, not me. But some will, so they can elevate themselves and feel better about what ever it that they are being “Stelth” about. Still Amazing. Vick got cocky, and even arrogant, but what do you expect from a guy that is that gifted, and is thrown millions. I’m afraid I’d sucomb to that virus also. The truth is, he took care of his homeys, and they threw him under the bus. He may have lied, but he’s not the first one who has lied. Our lowmakers have the trophy for that. And they re the ones who say what he did was wrong. And then there’s PETA. Last time I went hunting, I didn’t see any protests. I would not be surprised to see a spouse of someone in that bunch go fishing, or deer hunting. Simply Amazing. And Shameful. Feel good about yourselves folks. You got your man. Does anyone know what kind of punishment Vick would have gotten in, say Italy, or over seas?