December 31, 2006. So very much has happened in our world since that time. The United States has elected
Barak Obama as the first African-American President. The world economy has fallen, gotten back up again, and depending on whom you listen to is in various stages of recovery.
What’s important about that particular day? That was the last game that
Michael Vick played in the NFL. As a member of the Atlanta Falcons, Vick at that time was finishing up another strong season that moved him to third in the career list of rushing yards by a quarterback. He had thrown for nearly 2,500 yards and 20 touchdowns and his team was bringing in a new coach that was looking to install a high powered offense.
All of that of course changed in July of 2007 when Vick began to be investigated for running a dog fighting ring. By November he was beginning to serve a nearly two year prison sentence and many wondered if he would ever play again. It is obvious now that he will play but what will the public reaction be once he begins to play?
I feel that Philadelphia is a very good city for Vick. If a player performs well, the city will forget everything he has done in the past and he will be a hero. However, if he is struggling, the city will come down hard on him. This is after all the same group of fans that once booed Santa Claus at a game. This is also the same fans that threw batteries at J.D. Drew after he refused to play for the Phillies and made his first visit into the City of Brotherly Love as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals.
PETA has already said back in May when Vick was signed by the Eagles that “the move disappointed millions of decent football fans”. With the number of animal rights activists around the country, some of whom can be extreme, it is easily to believe that there will be protests around each stadium that Vick plays in. Fans, which can be very cruel, will of course be hard on Vick. Not that long ago there were fans all across baseball that through large syringes onto baseball fields near Barry Bonds. That chorus of boos rang down whenever he came to the plate. That will also happen to Michael Vick wherever he goes.
All that being said, I am cheering for him to do well this week and as he moves through his life both on and off the playing field. I would like to think that if I made a mistake and had to spend time in prison, that there is an employer out there that gave me the same second chance that Vick received. If he is foolish enough to make mistakes again though, I believe he should be thrown to the dogs.
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This is a very controversial topic. I can see both sides of the story. I agree that if I made a mistake as well that I would like a second chance, but at the same time, it can be seen that more and more celebrities are getting preferential treatment when it comes to the law. If it were a regular person who broke the law and was sent to person, he or she would almost certainly not get his or her job back. He or she would be lucky to get a job at all, especially after two years in prison.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, it has been a long time. I have gone back and forth on my feeling of whether or not Michael Vick should be allowed back into the NFL. By no means do I endorse PETA, but dogfighting is a despicable practice and anyone who condones or participates in this activity deserves to be punished. However, it seems like Vick has truly had a change of heart, realized his mistake, and wants to improve his reputation. I hope this is true and hope he succeeds not only on the football field, but more importantly in life.
ReplyDeleteJay, my husband, tells me that Philly has long been a place that believes in second chances and it seems as though he is getting his with the Eagles.
ReplyDeleteI can tell you that the media is making more of a deal about Vick playing than the fans and PETA. It is Sunday evening and Jay has just returned from the Eagles game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philly. He estimated that there were about 10 protesters at the game and keeping in line with second chances over 50 percent of the fans gave Vick a standing ovation when he came onto the field.
The good news for Eagles fans is that Vick played like a professional and didn’t make any mistakes.
Fly Eagles Fly