Out of all the teams in the NFL. Eagles sign him. I am still in shock
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Out of all the teams in the NFL. Eagles sign him. I am still in shock
Why? Because of the irony of Philly being the city of brotherly love?
What a wonderful roll model – convicted felon and dog enthusiast!
I guess the people in Philadelphia are cat people.:D
I've begun to subscribe to my esteemed brother-in-law's views on these matters. If he has served the punishment that was meted out to him and done what was required to "wipe the slate clean" punitively, then he should be able to get another chance. I'm not a Vick fan at all and find what he did absolutely despicable and disgusting, but the judicial process was followed. He was given a punishment for his crime. He served that punishment. As far as I'm concerned, he has the right, as granted by soceity, to start over again. His punishment shouldn't continue indefinitely after he's done what was required to serve for his crime.
Call me old-fashioned, but I think they should have tied his sorry ass to a stake and let about five pit bulls shred him to pieces for about 15 minutes or so. Then see how much of a man he thinks he is. As for now, he deserves a swift kick in the balls, and nothing more. I am disgusted anyone would sign him.
I really thought he would go to the Pats...
I have no problem with him trying to regain his career - atleat he didn't kill anyone and got more than 30 days of house arrest...
I agree with that. He killed dogs, not a human being. Although I may not agree with what he did, he paid the time and has been advised by Tony Dungy, who is respected around the league. Stallworth killed somebody by drunk driving and only gets 24 days in jail. I think killing a human being is a 100 times worse than killing an animal. By the way, if you listened to the interview with Coach Reid, they talked to PETA and even the mayor of Philadelphia before they made this decision. Vick will get eaten alive by the Eagles fans, but I'm glad they are giving him a second chance
I will agree that killing a human is much worst than killing an animal, however, the behavior in the two situations were totally different. If I'm not mistaken, from what I remember reading, it wouldn't have mattered if Stallworth was drunk or not as far as hitting the guy. Stallworth was contrite and cooperated through the complete investigation. Stallworth worked out compensation with the family (even though I know it doesn't replace a life). If what I remember is correct, the family holds no ill feelings for Stallworth. He did everything he could other to right his wrong. Vick's attitude was totally different. He thought he was above the law. He tried to hide as much as he could. He continually denied up until it was obvious one more denial was going to get him the maximum penalty allowed. To this day, I don't think he has given an adequate and sincere apology and sincere admission that what he did is despicable and wrong. Totally different than Stallworth.
Jail is not going to reform a clinical psychopath. They've done studies on serial killers and murderers before. Abusing, torturing and killing animals is the one thing many of them, if not all, have in common. I'm sorry but people like Vick need to be monitored 24hrs a day for the rest of their lives.
Now every door is closed to me
Another jail. Another key. Another chain
For when I come to any town
They check my papers
And they find the mark of Cain
In their eyes I see their fear
`We do not want you here.'
What Vick did WAS despicable... and he served an actual hard labor sentence as his punishment.
What Plaxico did was stupid... and he is apparently going to have to serve an actual hard labor sentence.
And yet people are convicted for far worse behavior, behavior that actually causes harm to other PEOPLE, in every nook and cranny of this country every day and don't serve any time.
If Vick had been disposing of HUMAN "fetuses", in the name of privacy rights, our government would have defended his right to do so and likely would have paid him to do it.
If Plaxico had shot himself in Texas instead of New York, no law enforcement authority would have batted an eye.
The fact that either one of these guys served, or is going to serve, significant time is more than enough for me. Let them get back to work as soon as the time is done; maybe they can pay their "victims" some money out of their earnings.
Not to take up for Vick or to knock you Tech88, but animal fighting seems to be something that has happened for as long as the world has been around (cock fighting, bull bating, and the like). I know all of those things are illegal now (in the US at least), but I would not think everyone involved in them were psychopaths. You might have had a lot of people who sat there and watched and enjoyed as part of the crowd. I dont know which Vick was, although he did bankroll it.
I listened to his press conference this morning and still don't think he gets it. What he did was much worse than just a bad decision. Yes, he paid his "debt" to society, which I believe entitles him to fade into obscurity. Instead, he is being placed in a position of celebrity and role model. I wonder how contrite he would be if he did not have an NFL salary at stake.
To me it's not just about the dog fighting. It's the hanging the dogs from trees to kill them. Slamming the dogs on the concrete to kill them. Holding them underwater in his swimming pool to kill them. Electrocuting them with jumper cables to kill them. That's the most f'ed up thing about the whole situation.
Somewhere out there is a mean DL or LB that loves his dogs is just waiting for his shot.
Although I think Dungy's intentions are pure, I hope nobody thinks this situation is about giving a man a second chance. This is a business decision that could prove to be good or bad marketing and could also help or hurt in the W/L column.
Think about how many pro athletes over the years have NEVER been given a second chance while some were given several "second" chances. All those who get the second or more chances were like Vick in that they had potential to help win games and or help put folks in the stands.
I'm sick of the double standard the NFL, NBA, and MLB has for star athletes vs. those who never quite made it big.
Soap Box Warning
And yet a player and his girlfriend can kill/abort as many human babies as he/she wants, by some of the cruelest methods, and nothing is said.
Sorry but the sad irony drips thick.
Here's my take.
He did his time. He was convicted of a crime, he paid the price for that crime, and he should be allowed to be gainfully employed again.
I hope he does well.
I would like to see all the pro leagues come up with a rule that convicted felons are banned for life, but until they do, there will be these sort of situations.
Yep, you dont usually have to worry about felons getting high paying jobs because they lack good skills usually. Obviously, Michael Vick has a rare talent and special ability, so if someone is willing to take on the other risks associated with him, then so be it.
So you agree with the NFL that it's okay to let them back in if they have potential to make money for the franchise/NFL, but those who hadn't made it big time yet are just to be cast aside.
You seem to sympathize with Vick and giving a second chance. I understand that, but the NFL could care less about his personal life. They want to milk him for all he is worth financially. Nothing more.
I don't get them impression that Sooner's sympathy is for Vick specifically. Rather (correct me if I'm wrong Santiago) ... it seems that Sooner is willing to give the benefit of the doubt to any violator who has, according to the law, served their time and paid their debt.
At least that seems to be his reasoning. And I share it. (big surprise, there!)
But if, in fact, the NFL's reasons for reinstating him are less noble -- why do I care? I don't think anyone here has any illusions regarding the ethical standards of pro-sports these days.
My view is not out of sympathy for Vick It is a very strong personal belief that ex-cons need to be allowed to go back to work once they have paid their debt, however the court defines it. In a football setting, that means when the player has paid his debt to society, he should be allowed to play, whether they are a star or not. Of course, there would have to be some common sense such as not putting a child molestor in a pre-school. That is usually covered by parole anyway.
I have no opinion on the NFL's motives.
Given the current setup, I don't have a problem with Vick coming back into the NFL. If the Eagles want him, fine.
I am just saying that playing in the NFL is a privledge, not a right. If the NFL feels that they have a higher obligation since their employees (players) are role models (like it or not), then banning them is certainly an option. Not participating in the NFL does not preclude a player from earning a living, he may just have to do it in a different venue (AFL, Wall Street, car wash, etc.). If this is instituted for the players, then it should also apply to coaches and NFL, Inc. employees as well.
I do want those who have served their time to get second chances, but their previous actions may preclude them from their first choice of vocation.
I always liked to watch Micheal Vick play. I was stunned that anyone in his position could be that stupid and cruel. I hope he is sincere in his regret and his sorrow and I hope he now uses his position and fame for good and not evil. He paid for his crime and I see nothing wrong with a second chance for him. I hope he has learned from this.
So . . . what happens when the new SPCA spokesman confronts the PETA people and vice versa?
I think the judged sentenced him and he did his time. Let him play. I believe in the power of Jesus. Who am I to say he wasn't touched by the Holy Spirit and isn't a new person right now? To say he isn't sincere is a reach. How would any of us know if he is sincere? To say he can't change is to deny the power of Christ. I am not a judge. His earthly judge already sentenced him. I say let him be.
From a non-Christian viewpoint every person should be paid according to his fair market value. Vick obviously has market value and no one has a right to take that from him. Let him be paid his fair market price.
I happen to think he is over-rated. He throws too many picks, stares down his primary reciever, can't look off DB's and can't read defenses. If Philly wants spend the money to have him run the wildcat and be a third string QB otherwise, than that's their problem. They can spend the money in their salary cap how they want but they still, after all these years, haven't surrounded McNabb with an adequate WR corp. That is where they need to spend their money. (maybe Macklin will become a true #1 WR for them, who knows)
Why blame Vick for the NFL wanting to exploit him? He's just along for the ride. You tellin' me you wouldn't bilk a few million from someone to be used when it's not "against" your morals?
Plus, he owes a lot of people a lot of money. And he has a lot of leeches to deal with too.
I like the sign I saw one of the protesters carrying: Hide your beagle, Vick's an Eagle. Perhaps it is because I am a smarta**?
You can now buy a customized Vick jersey for your dog. That is too classic. I think the NFL might be getting a little overzealous with their pushing of this, but this is hilarious and stupid to me.