Michael Vick on “60 Minutes”: Contrition and a confession
I’m sure “60 Minutes” wasn’t thrilled with Michael Vick pre-empting himself and holding an introductory briefing two days before his taped interview with James Brown was scheduled to air. But the press conference in Philadelphia was a press conference, which serves a different purpose than the sitdown interview. And Vick was impressive in former, even more so in the latter.
I watched the interview in the press lounge at Turner Field, and there were the usual “Yeah, rights,” from a few of the skeptics behind me. But I felt no skepticism. I felt I was watching a humbled man admit to having been a fool and an ingrate and an all-around bad buy.
And let me ask this: When last did you own up to so many sins and failings? In the confessional box? Ever? And when last did you do it before an audience of millions?
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it now: I’ve always liked the guy, and I felt almost personally disappointed when I read the indictment against him. I can only imagine how Arthur Blank felt, and that to me was the heart of Vick’s “60 Minutes” appearance — the self-disgust he felt at having let Blank down.
Loading ...Vick: “I can’t, you know, describe the feeling. You know, the hurt deep inside, hurt that I never felt before, knowing that I disappointed him, knowing that he’d given me every opportunity to come to him and reach out whenever I needed him. And he cared about me and I took it all for granted.”
It’s one thing to say, “Oh, I let my fans down.” It’s altogether different to put a human face on that failure. That Vick seems to realize what he did to the man who trusted him most gives me hope, not for the first time, that Michael Vick is indeed a changed and wiser man.
I know, I know. There are those among who will take the “Yeah, right” route, who will believe Vick’s only remorse is over having been caught. I believe otherwise. I believe he means what he says, and on “60 Minutes” he said exactly what he needed to say. And he said it well.
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225 comments Add your comment
Jeremiah
August 16th, 2009
9:27 pm
Good article MB…I agree, I always liked Vick, and despite his mistakes I think that he is a good person deep down inside. I love dogs and abhor what he did, but I think he is truly sorry and regretful, remorseful, etc., and this and his obvious desire to be a better man, is enough for me to forgive him. I think he deserves a chance to turn this into an opportunity to become a great person. Time will tell.
The Grinch
August 16th, 2009
9:27 pm
I love dogs, am not a Christian, and am pissed Mike Vick ruined my favorite franchise. However, he did his time, lost an absurd amount of money, and deserves a chance to start over somewhere else. Good luck to you, bro. And from the ashes he left the Falcons in rose a solid team one can finally be proud of. Good times are ahead for all.
Jeremiah
August 16th, 2009
9:28 pm
Yeah, Serial Killers? Come on, that’s ridiculous!
Jackie
August 16th, 2009
9:28 pm
Mark, I agree…..I hope these Gods featured in your post never do anything wrong in their lives and have to live under scrunity or the radar as Michael Vick. The dude was wrong with the whole dog fighting fiasco; however, some of these respondents are living double lives righ now, just like Vick once did and we will never know of their shortcomings cause they won’t own up to them. They will just point their fingers like they do now. Get over it haters, suffering is not supposed to last for a lifetime.
Brad in Jasper
August 16th, 2009
9:28 pm
“In this post” – Sorry, Mark. I should’ve re-read it first.
Mark Bradley
August 16th, 2009
9:30 pm
That was during yesterday’s live Falcons chat, Brad. It would be tough never to mention his name again and write about sports in this town. Especially on Dec. 6.
Vick Supporter
August 16th, 2009
9:34 pm
Just saw the interview from Japan….had to watch it on a Monday instead of Sunday. I believe Vick was totally sincere…I was glad to see that he laid it all out there. Now all he has to do is be involved in the community and play football. I have to admit, I remember alot of people saying that Vick didn’t work as hard as he should have and he admitted that he didn’t do that. I could never believe it from the scumbags that say it on here, but looks like it was true. I can say this…that won’t happen again..This guy lifted an entire franchise and put a team on the map without even trying I guess according to him…pretty amazing…the best athlete we’ve ever had in this town and wasn’t working as hard as he should have. The new Vick is going to tear this league up like its never been done…and he actually has a franchise thats great from top to bottom and he has a great coach. Personally, i think things went downhill after Dan Reeves was unfairly fired…hard to stay notivated with Mora Jr as your coach I would think. He never held ANYONE accountable on that team at the time. Vick was young and dumb and had the entire franchise kissing his ass….straight up. I like that Vick accepted the blame for that….which is something he didn’t do all of the time when he was here. I’m glad to see that he back in the NFL where he belongs. and I still say…
The Great Mike Vick Has Returned.
He’s still my Quarterback. He’s still the face of the Falcons
Vick 09
tonia
August 16th, 2009
9:35 pm
zip you should be thankful God is forgiving for you saying there”s no God i get a kick out of people in the world that have no compassion for others one strike and your out just think if God was like that we wouldnt be here so next time you do something wrong think about how quick you judged vick and anyone one else you may have judge and tell yourself you are still better then them.
Lynda
August 16th, 2009
9:36 pm
I watched this interview and Michael Vick had 1 big smirk.. I don’t care how good he is heis disgusting. And as he said when asked about the length of time off the field he stated that 2 years isn’t that long. Hm if he really was sorry for his disgusting actions 2 years would seem like a lifetime. He makes me sick. and Tony Dungy wonder if he would be as willing to help my 27 year old, white son with the same level of opportunity? Doubtful..
YaYa
August 16th, 2009
9:41 pm
Very well said FRED!!!!
dl
August 16th, 2009
9:42 pm
What pissed me off about the interview, was his admission of being first to leave and last to arrive (at team activities) and that he was lazy. He totally spit in the face of his fans and the city. For that I hope he fails as an eagle or any other team. Yes everyone deserves a second chance, after all this is the USA, however although I forgive him and YES he paid for his crime. I cannot forget and just as I supported him (buying a jersey, football cards and an autograph picture) I now choose to boo him and hope he fails on the football field. Somehow I feel karma will pay him a visit, after all when we do bad, somehow it comes back to us ten fold.
Ed-Covington
August 16th, 2009
9:43 pm
Second chance? As I posted previously, Vick has had at least seven chances to examine his life and change. He did not until he was caught and sent to prison. Once again, Pete Rose, who had a Hall of Fame career, was banned from baseball FOR LIFE for gambling. Surely Vick, Stallworth and Buress should have been banned for life for their crimes.
Famuan
August 16th, 2009
9:44 pm
Oh listen up! Lynda’s 27 year old WHITE son (as she so kindly pointed out) needs help…quick…somebody call Dany Heatley!
BraveCat
August 16th, 2009
9:45 pm
Tonia,
exactly!!! When Vick said cops “stopped by and saw it was a dog fight and got back in their cars, I didn’t think anything was wrong with it”……..a lot of people are not blessed with growing up thinking a dog/cat/horse is a product of God and think they are a lesser being than humans. I am sick of humans thinking “oh it is just a dog/stupid cat/ etc.” EVERY LIVING CREATURE ON THIS EARTH IS A PRODUCT OF GOD. Get over yourselves to anyone who has not made a mistake. Give VICK A CHANCE !!!!!!!!!
Mark Bradley
August 16th, 2009
9:46 pm
Would you rather have heard Vick say he hadn’t seen the error of his ways?
Famuan
August 16th, 2009
9:47 pm
Ed the crimes committed by Vick, Stallworth and Burress were not directly related to the NFL. Pete Rose was actually betting on MLB games…HIS GAMES. What part of that do you not understand?
The Grinch
August 16th, 2009
9:48 pm
Tonia, you don’t have to believe in the father, son and holy ghost (explain how that works to me again?) to know the difference between right and wrong. I know when I’ve done wrong, I know how to have positive relationships with others and I’m capable of forgiveness. Those traits are inherent in any well adjusted human being. If you desire to consult a book cobbled together by a random group of Jews and Romans 400 years after Jesus died to tell you how to act, that’s your business and it doesn’t bother me. But trusting life advice from parents and respected elders and learning from your own mistakes are a perfectly acceptable way to live life as well.
I probably just started a #$@%-storm, didn’t I? Oops. I had good intentions.
Fred
August 16th, 2009
9:49 pm
Mark Bradley, what part of this do you not understand? These same idiots have been screeching and bashing Mike Vick since he got drafted. Why are you acting all brand new like you don’t understand this? They have hated the man long before 2007…and you know it. Stop the blog theatrics, you know what’s up. You know what the deal is, you know what their ANGST is all about.
meb
August 16th, 2009
9:50 pm
BIOMASS. Ummm dont go down a road that you are ill-prepared to travel. Don’t start binging the Bible into this discussion unless you are fully prepared.
I’m with Mark Bradley on this. Forgiveness is what is missing in our society. Those who are sooo bitter toward Vick have some deep rooted personal issues that have not been resovled. These type of people lives are empty unless they have someone to hate. As if their lives are models for people to follow. Whoever copared the killing of a dog to the killing of somone’s mother is really a nutjob.
And Yes, Mike’s lie had bigger consequences for HIM, not you as a fan. The franchise was already in turmoil with the likes of Deangelo Hall, Coach Mora and Coach Petino. The franchise was not brought down by Mike Vick. The franchise is doing pretty good. A lie is a lie. Some carry heavier consequences for the liar, but int he eyes of God, one lie is no large or smaller than another. God hates ALL lying.
Also, BIOMASS you are truly ignorant. A fatehr/mother can do their best job of raising their children, but the child may still go astray; down a path that ends in their death. This is not necessarily a reflection n the parents. So for you to make that comment about Tony Dungy (who has obviously helped more people than you)show yo know nothing about life. You are just along for the ride.
chemdawg
August 16th, 2009
9:52 pm
Well, fred, he did admit that he was “lazy” on the field and in practices. He said he was the last one in the building and the first one out. Perhaps the writing was on the wall with this guy. Off the field issues aside, he never lived up to his potential on the field.
Mitch
August 16th, 2009
9:53 pm
You know, I’ve said it before, and damn it, I’m going to say it again. MV is more guilty of breaking some damn PC rules than anything else. I know Stallworth’s situation is different legally. I’m not stupid. Their cases are not the same, legally. I get that.
But why does MV have to pay with his entire income and almost two years in prision and Jamal Lewis, Ray Lewis and Donte Stallworth, in comparison, get off easy?
MV broke PC rules. He offended people’s sensibilities. Why does human drug addiction and death not get the same response as the death of dogs and gambling?
Don’t get me wrong, MV was wrong and had to pay for what he did. Perhaps, in a weird way, it was good for him because what I have seen in his humiliation is the production of a man. MV has grown up, accepted responsibility for his actions and is trying to be a husband, dad and professional athlete.
I hope he makes back all he lost and more and becomes the greatest comeback story in NFL history and all the haters eat the crow.
I’m glad we as Falcon Fans have what we have now. It’s great. But I believe MV got hammered too hard for something not as awful as others have done and received a slap on the wrist.
Maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t think so.
Marianne
August 16th, 2009
9:54 pm
Who cares about Arthur Blank’s feelings? I want, just Once, for this Sociopath to MENTION the DOGS! He has never dais a word about the fact thatit is a sickness to watch the suffering of a nother living being, ALWAYS associated withe serial killers and pedophiles. I want him to talk about the animals – but he doesn’t get it at all. He he should be sent to a psych ward.
Vick Supporter
August 16th, 2009
9:54 pm
@dl
You say that you can’t wait for “karma” to come back around,lol….Going to prison, ruining your name, losing over 100 million dollars, and being the most hated man in America is what I would call “karma” coming back around. You hope that Vick fails in his return and in life, I hope YOU FAIL in life and DON”T recieve a second chance. You are a POS, man. What you said is just plain nasty. And that lady LYNDA…..you definitely need prayer in your life. You have so much hate in your heart.
Code
August 16th, 2009
9:55 pm
Michael Vick has served his time.
What bothers me is that none of us are perfect. What he did was despicable but what if everyone who is posting on this board had the curtain pulled away from them? What would we find behind that curtain? Would we find child molesters, domestic abusers, what?
Vick’s misdeeds are revealed for all of us to see but remember, thou who cast the first stone. We all have skeletons in our closet but usually those bones fall out of our closet in private – not public.
There is more hatred for Vick than Bernie Madoff who ruined generations of lives. Furthermore, some of the hatred toward Vick is related to his potential to earn a living in a very high tax bracket. If he worked in a warehouse earning $12.50 per hour, the disdain for him would be less.
Over $100 million dollars lost and two years in prison…Vick has paid a huge price, let him be.
TB
August 16th, 2009
9:57 pm
To answer your question MB, of course we choose who to forgive and who not to, that is what makes us flawed human beings with something to work on correcting. Hey, I was a Michael Vick fan as a season ticket holder for many years. I’m also glad he is gone. I was really surprised by the interview since I just watched it online. I think the biggest problem he still has his arrogance. It was not an attractive characteristic in press conferences before, and it still comes off the same way in the interview. Though the arrogance made the man an unbelievable competitor on the football field. I’m surprised to find that he really does seem remorseful to the point of sharing all his faults with the nation. The explanation of how he hurt Arthur Blank and most telling how he felt about teammates making comments about him being lazy (which he admitted to on national TV). I think he is remorseful and truthful now, but the arrogance is still there which creates doubts in some people.
George
August 16th, 2009
9:57 pm
Mark
I guess its Damn if he do, Damn if he don’t. My Mom told me a long time ago, you will never ever please everyone. Guess she was right!
Nite Owl
August 16th, 2009
9:59 pm
I used to be really upset with Vick because he let my team down. But I moved on after we hired Dimitroff and Coach Smith. It was all for the best, because it led to better management and therefore a better long-term future for the Falcons.
I don’t know if I buy Vick’s sincerity, but I do know there’s not much else you can do to punish a guy. Nearly two years in prison, a huge contract gone up in smoke, having to play for the Eagles and those classless fans now (see how shabbily they’ve treated McNabb, despite all he’s done for them)….what else do you want? Vick’s already given a pound of flesh.
So, bottom line, my response is “Yeah, right,” followed closely by, “What else is on?”
Krich77
August 16th, 2009
10:00 pm
Excellent article Mr. Bradley. I didn’t get to see the interview but have felt from day one of his prison release he has been regretful for all he has done. I am happy he is being given a second chance to play football and be a positive role model against dogfighting. What people don’t realize is that often it takes losing everything to get your life in perspective and that is what has happened to Mike Vick. The Eagles organization has earned my respect as a football franchise and are probably going to be very successful because of giving Vick a chance.
By the way to those who love to quote scriptures and tell people to go read them make sure you are living all of them before you decide to throw just one to fit your cause. That is being a hypocrite!
Love, Peace and Happiness Everyone!!
Vick Supporter
August 16th, 2009
10:00 pm
@TB
WHAT ARROGANCE?!? Thats what I hate about you people….no matter what this man does, you find something to complain about and continue to judge like you’re some perfect being. PLEASE TELL ME where you see arrogance in this interview.
Amy
August 16th, 2009
10:00 pm
To: Vick Supporter
Mike Vick will NEVER EVER be the face of the Falcons! He’s moved on and so have the Falcons! Let him be the Eagles problem now and not ours! We are focused on winning a Super Bowl!
vickless
August 16th, 2009
10:00 pm
Watch out Eagles! Not only does Vick strangle dogs, he screws birds too!
meb
August 16th, 2009
10:02 pm
Greg -
You lack the ability to reason logically. Equating Mike with a sociopathic serial-killer shows that you have no understanding of either of these terms. Just say you hate Mike Vick because you never have liked him and we will accept that. Don’t act like you have done some psycological profile of the guy because you do not have the skills or training to do so.
Fred
August 16th, 2009
10:02 pm
Marianne, please take your medication. LOL
Ed-Covington
August 16th, 2009
10:02 pm
Famuan: There are morals and proper conduct clauses in every professional contract which preclude felonious crimes! What part of that do you not understand? My point is that all of you Vick apologizers claim he has paid his debt to society and should be reinstated. Go to jail for two years and come back to your job and try to explain to your employer that you have served your debt to society and he should hire you again. Watch as he calls security. I loved Vick when he was drafted and hoped he would be a successful QB for the Falcons for years to come. Instead, he destroyed the franchise and polarized the fans. You cannot be a Falcon fan AND a Vick fan anymore.
mullet13
August 16th, 2009
10:02 pm
When a person the caliber of Tony Dungy says Vick deserves a second chance, I can at least attempt to consider it myself. I’ve adamantly criticized Vick and called for the NFL to disallow his return. I still feel this way, but Dungy’s involvement has caused me to pause and re-evaluate. I’ve always said “the proof is in the pudding,” so we’ll see what happens moving forward.
Matt Ryan
August 16th, 2009
10:04 pm
Hey Atlanta let’s focus on me and the team that I was brought here to lead and be the quarterback!!!!!
Vick Supporter
August 16th, 2009
10:04 pm
Amy
August 16th, 2009
10:00 pm
To: Vick Supporter
Mike Vick will NEVER EVER be the face of the Falcons! He’s moved on and so have the Falcons! Let him be the Eagles problem now and not ours! We are focused on winning a Super Bowl!
————————–
Miss Amy. if you haven’t noticed, we’ve been talking about MV on here for the past 2 years. If you go ask anyone on the street when they think of one player who played for the falcons, I bet you they will say Mike Vick. I know you don’t don’t want that, but its the truth. Move on. He’s still the face without even being on the team. Deal with it
Vick 09
Ed-Covington
August 16th, 2009
10:04 pm
And I am a Falcon fan!
Fred
August 16th, 2009
10:06 pm
chemdawg, from 2001 to 2006, the Falcons made a healthy, extremely healthy profit. The only thing you or anybody else is owed when you PAY for a ticket or buy Falcons merchandise is a GAME…that’s it, you aren’t owed anything but a GAME. You get to be entertained for a fee. We got that. Vick owes nobody in Atlanta a darn thing.
chemdawg
August 16th, 2009
10:06 pm
i never said he owed me anything
chemdawg
August 16th, 2009
10:08 pm
My point is simple: Those who questioned his heart were correct. This came from Vick himself. He admitted he was lazy. It doesn’t have anything to do with racism as you were implying, but that certainly is a convenient argument.
Vick Supporter
August 16th, 2009
10:08 pm
@dl
Well you do that then. To bad Vick is going to make you eat your words. Boo him all you want..who cares? I do know one thing…when he comes back on DEC 6th, it will not be all boos at the Dome..and you better hope that he isn’t playing…the falcons will surely get embarrased.
truthhurts
August 16th, 2009
10:08 pm
What I don’t understand, is the continued anger aimed solely at Mike Vick. Dog Fighting remains “legal by default” under state law in several states. I’ve yet to see articles or television programs airing protests outside state legislative sessions calling for some law to make dog fighting illegal in that state. Does PETA have organizations aimed at this? Sure, on a Federal level its illegal, but if folks truly understand how that works…wishful thinking. Vick is finished dog fighting, he went to prison, he’s now a convicted felon, what more do these folks want? What about those friends of his who ran the operation when he was suiting up for the Falcons? What about the other owners who fought against Vick’s dogs? After two years, this is too much focus on one man.
And make no mistake, hopefully the Falcons will wip up on the Eagles December 6th!!! But part of me hopes Vick does well and maybe even win a super bowl with those birds. This sort of hypocrisy is what kids see and develop the same habit.
chemdawg
August 16th, 2009
10:10 pm
In other words, cut it out with the race baiting!… And those of you who choose to support Vick over the Falcons can now go to the Philadelphia blogs!
Famuan
August 16th, 2009
10:10 pm
Ed….BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! Who are you supposed to be?? You arrogant AWM’s really think you can dictate who people can support and who they can’t?? Seriously?? LMAO! You dont run this. Furthermore, people can and DO resume their careers even with felony convictions..you do know Dany Heatley has a felony record, right? Are you upset that’s he’s still playing professional hockey? Scooter Libby has a felony record, regardless of the pardon…are you suggesting he never work again? Quick! Tell that political think tank he works for that he’s a BAD MAN!! Oh yeah, I believe Michael Milken has a felony record, as does G. Gordon Liddy, Oliver North….you think they all should be jobless? Or are you reserving that special rule for Michael Vick?
meb
August 16th, 2009
10:11 pm
Marianne-
You need to be placed in a psych ward if you think that dogs carry the same weight in this world as humans. If that were the case, the humane society would not euthanize so many of these animals each year just because no one will adopt them. How many dogs or cats do you have? How many are you going to adopt this year to stop the Humane Society from killing these animals? If you are not going to adopt any, then sit down, be quiet and evaluate how you are contributing to the deaths of so many animals by not adopting them.
DJ
August 16th, 2009
10:11 pm
Mark , what is amazing is the level of ugly comments and hate directed toward Michael Vick. Where do you think this over the top, overheated, unnecessary rage comes from ?
BraveCat
August 16th, 2009
10:11 pm
TB……………………HUH?!?!?!?! Who cares?
Bert
August 16th, 2009
10:11 pm
Biomass, your comment about Dungy’s parenting skills, is inappropriate. You’re an ass.
Ed-Covington
August 16th, 2009
10:12 pm
CODE:
“There is more hatred for Vick than Bernie Madoff who ruined generations of lives.”
How can you claim this? I don’t hear anyone anywhere defending Madoff; yet there are still plenty of people trying to defend MV!