Monday, August 31, 2009
The NFL is big on forgiveness, but what about snoopy and scrappy-doo?
With football season starting up I believe one of the most controversial topics is the case of former Atlanta falcons quarterback Michael Vick. As many of you know, Vick was indicted on dog fighting charges in 2007, after an investigation on his house turned up a complete dog fighting ring. Several dogs were found on his property in bad condition and what seemed to be a small shed or warehouse where the fights were allegedly held. After serving time in a federal prison Vick was released to house arrest this summer. The NFL lifted their indefinite suspension on Michael which allows him to now play football again. Shortly after his suspension was lifted he was signed to be the backup quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles. Many protestors are outraged at the fact that the Eagles would sign him to play. This brings up the debate whether he should have been reinstated to the NFL. The NFL has a policy that if an athlete gets in trouble with the law, that athlete will also face a suspension from the commissioner Roger Goodell. Mike served his prison time and served his NFL suspension and is also now a spokesperson for organizations against animal fighting, which insinuates that he is doing everything possible to make up for his previous actions. The NFL has stated that they expect Michael to be a true success story on players making a full rehabilitation in the league. So I believe it is wrong for people to put down the Eagles organization and the NFL because of their forgiveness towards Vick. I think that anyone who would have a confrontation with the law and the public idea that Vick has would want a chance at redemption. So the question is not whether if Michael was wrong in the past, it’s has he learned from his mistakes. A few years ago he was one of the most explosive players in the league, and I hope that he proves to everyone that he can concentrate on football, and not so much what’s off the field.
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I completely agree with what you have said. Although Vick did mess up, he obviously has learned his lesson and should be able to compete again. If you look at his jersey sales when he was with the Falcons, he was the most popular player in the league. He is quite possibly one of the best rushing quarterbacks in the NFL this decade. Those who protest Vick being signed by the Eagles, dont understand that Mike has made changes to his lifestyle and is truely sorry for what he did.
ReplyDeleteAs a member of PETA, I really dislike
ReplyDeletethe league for allowing him back into it,
especially since he was suspended! To me,
this shows that all the league wants is
to make money with it's players and will
do anything to do so. Even rehire a criminal
who is sick enough to treat animals with
such disrespect and cruelty. Just because he
is "sticking up" for animals now does not
mean he regrets his actions. If he wasn't
caught, he wouldn't be trying to uptain a
valient reputation. If Ted Bundy joined a
church and spoke about loving people instead
of killing them, it just isn't convincing to
me. It seems like Michael is only doing that
to have people forget about what he's done.
I do understand your points though. Forgiveness
is a wonderful thing and redemption, as well.
It's great that he is trying to redeem himself,
but he needs to stay away from animal rights,
since he doesn't have the best track record.
With all do respect Monica. I do understand with what you are saying about the NFL just trying to get more money out of the situation. Many of my friends are also members of PETA so I have heard all of the opinions. In my opinion and stand point, being a criminal justice major, I see this as an opporrtunity to put our justice and correctional system to the test. If Vick passes than it shows a little hope in our society for the American justice courts. If not, Vick will go back to prison, lose his job, and he will be banned from the NFL. I see exactly where you are coming from and in no way do I condone what Vick did. But everyone deserves their right to a new life after corrections.
ReplyDeleteThis may sound corny, but i am a dog lover. I do believe in forgiveness because everyone deserves some sort of forgiveness for their wrong doing. I also believe that Mike should have gotten a worse punishment then what the NFL gave him. I agree with what you are saying in that even though he did do wrong, he does deserve a second chance. I agree with what Moe said, that he being a spokesman for animal abuse is not all that convincing. I also agree with what Dominic said saying that a lot of people are spokesperson for their wrong doings in the past.
ReplyDeleteAdam, great topic.
ReplyDeleteDo you think he was shown special treatment because he's a professional athlete?
I believe that his federal sentence was most def lessened due to his social status. As far as the NFL's punishment I believe that it is enough to be punished in both areas. It is quite new that if a player gets into legal trouble that a league also takes action outside of the court system
ReplyDelete