Michael Vick has been sentenced to 23 months in prison for his role in an illegal dog-fighting operation.
So what happens next? Does Vick simply disappear off the face of the earth? Does he ever step foot on an NFL field again? 
It has been and will remain a hot-button topic as long as Vick is physically capable of playing football. Vick has given no indication whether he wants to play again. But I maintain once he is done paying his debt to society, he is entitled to play again. Or at least request to play again and let the NFL decide the matter.
I wrote about the controversial issue in the newspaper today, and it's sure to get some strong reaction from both sides.
If you've got a take on the issue, fire away.
(Please note: I'm going to delay posting this week's Power Rankings, because I think this Vick issue is too important and because I don't want to interrupt any of the powerful dialogue going on in the "comments" section. I also want to add that these are some of the most powerful, insightful and passionate comments, regardless of where you stand on this highly polarizing issue, that I've come across. There are certain moments/issues that make you think long and hard about what they mean and how they configure into our lives, and this is one of them.)
Comments (21)
Why not? He will have paid his debt to society.
I have a strong opinion on this issue as you might guess.
Even if I didn't, who would want him? The animal rights people are absolutely rabid (pun intented) and they have tons of money. They will make the team that hires him a target, along with the NFL and of course Vick himself. They have lots of loyal, zombie-type followers who will picket, chain themselves to entrance gates, and cause all kinds of hell.
My opinion? There are some things that you do that stay with you the rest of your life, even if you "pay your debt to society." What Vick did doesn't go away because he completed the punishment. Vick did a much more horrifying thing than Pete Rose did.
If I was making the decision, I would not want Vick associated with the NFL. Ever.
No..Michael does not care for his team or his teamates and sees himself above the Law. He tortured and killed innocent animals and he would do it again. Now's his chance to be a real role model for unacceptable behaviour.
Michael Vick should not be permitted to play ever again. What kind of message does this send to our younger generation? It's high time this country takes a stand on these types of issues with anyone who is in the public eye. By allowing Vick back in the game we are condoning his crime. This is a grown man that knows the difference from right or wrong.
I think he can and should get the opportunity to try out once the NFL reinstates him. Will he be worth the cost? Contactually and socially to the organization that signs him? Probably not. A few years removed from training, his physical skills will have diminished. This QB wins games with his legs more often than his arm. I am not sure the risk v reward proposition is favorable to the signer; but there will be one.
I can't believe I'm defending Michael Vick... on second thought I'm not, I'm defending our legal process and the rights of any individual.
Vick was wrong and he did a disgusting repulsive thing that resulted in the death of canines. That's repugnant, however, he has been sentenced and will spend a significant amount of time behind bars. He will also pay an extremely stiff financial and personal penalty. At that point society will have considered his debt paid, and in this great country of ours, he will be given a second chance.
Would I want him on my team? NO. But I sure don't want him blacklisted either. If he still has the athletic ability and skill to be a QB in the NFL, and if he still has leadership capabilites, he shouldn't be blacklisted for a debt he's already paid.
PETA and the other groups - if they're smart - Can enlist him, as a repentant spokesman and as a benefactor to their cause.
As for Gary's comment that he'll just do it again... that was a joke right?
Bill, you might want to think about the message you're sending the youth of this country when you don't allow those who have made mistakes and paid for them with time behind bars a way of integrating themselves back into society as contributing citizens.
I think showcasing 23 months behind bars, and the loss of approximately 100 Million speaks volumes. The media response that a comeback attempt would generate would be a great public forum for getting a message through to other athletes that won't be gained if he's relegated to three lines on Page 6.
I am not sure I agree with those that say he should be done for good in the NFL. But I don't think he needs to be on the field. Actually, I think the NFL should put him in its front offices (I'm serious) and use him in rookie orientation and such. He can teach a valuable lesson for the next 10 years as everyone that is 10-12 years old now will still know who he is when they are entering the NFL. Has anyone heard from Rae Carruth in the past decade? Probably not, but I would be willing to bet that he could impart some wisdom on how foolish it is to actually play with your money in dangerous games and throw away your life - much like Vick. I'm willing to bet that after spending just 1 night of the rest of his life in jail, Carruth would much rather have the girlfriend and child that he had killed than have to spend another night in the pen. Was it better to spend 50K to have someone killed than to actually love someone? Might Vick be the same? Might he be able to stop just one crime by an NFL player in the future? If he did, than his time was well served.
Bob,
I agree completely. To me, Vick is a bad guy, and if I owned a team, he wouldn't get that chance from me. But if somone else decides to do so, that's their right.
What really annoys me is the Vick defenders who claim he's "suffered enough." Give me a break - this guy financed and ran an inhumane operation for 5 years before he was caught. And no way has he been honest - his claim that he funded, but did not receive any gambling winnings is ludicrous. That is actually worse!! It means this sick freak got off on torturing animals.
I do think Blank gets WAY too much of a pass in all of this - he was Vick's #1 enabler for all these years in spite of evidence Vick didn't get it:
Ron Mexico settling the herpes suit
The stolen watch from the TSA employee
Flipping off the fans
The trick water bottle that was for "jewelry"
And more I can't recall right now, plus if these are incidents we know of, imagine what else we didn't hear about?
The only thing I can think of regarding this issue is the following: What the hell is wrong with sports/entertainment that it's even possible that Vick plays again? Meaning, how does he get hired? I'm hiring for a few spots at my work right now. If Michael Vick walks in and he is the best business anlayst in the world, I'm not hiring him anyway beause HE'S MICHAEL VICK - Dog Torturer/Killer.
Bob and many readers say he deserves a chance. I agree. I just don't think anyone should ever hire him again. Don't ban him, just see what moron is dumb enough to put him on his team. If the Dolans own a footbal team by then, they may do it.
Would any of you pay him $10 an hour to mow your lawn? I doubt it unless you want him around your kids and pets and you want to be associated with him in any way, shape, or form.
Would a law firm ever hire someone with his background? A newspaper? A pharmaceutical company? A telephone company? A cable company? No, no, no, and no.
So, only in sports or entertainment would Vick ever be considered employable again. Why? Win at all costs, damn the consequences - kind of sad.
There are too many positive comments here from soulless, Godless, morons who don't give a hoot about the searing pain the dogs experiecnced before they expiered. MIchail Vick, should have an electrical cord pushed up his behind and the current turned on for each dog he tortured. I seem to live in world of caponized, homogonized, homosexualized and feminized males who live only for their feel good drugs and no longer know right from wrong. Rot in Hell all of you!
Very compassionate Jay. I applaud your sentiment that it's not OK to torture animals. I don't find it rather disturbing that you advocate that "MIchail Vick(sic), should have an electrical cord pushed up his behind and the current turned on".
Is that your Buddhist side coming out?
Low class, lower case jay, chill. Or head into the woods. Your Unibomberesque rant is unwelcome. Capon, my clueless friend, is delicious. Get some, then get some sleep.
Bob,
Good piece. I've followed this from day one with great interest. Michael Vick and I I went to high school just near each other. Our paths have crossed many times and, until this, he was someone I looked up to. I have a lot of experience covering the younger Vick, who was notorious for making headlines earlier than his big brother and people always ask me "What's Marcus like?"
Well, Marcus was always nice, but quiet. One thing that took me a while to notice in Marcus, that I see in Michael, is a general lack of sincerity. I think Michael is more nervous than sorry.
But I'm with you. I let the legal system handle anything beyond my opinion, and that's all we can do. It's all we can do with thieves, drunk drivers, murderers, etc. Hopefully he comes out rehabilitated. I believe in second chances. Whether those dogs received one or not, our government is affording Michael one. That's the bottom line.
Warren Wells went to prison for sexual assault in 1971 and never played in the NFL again. He was an all pro for three seasons who played for Al Davis and couldn't get another shot in the NFL. I realize that society has changed in the past 35 years, but there is a precedent for players who go to prison for violent crimes not getting another opportunity to play.
As an American citizen, Vick has the right to return to society after he pays his debt to it, but does that include the right to play football? Teachers who go to prison for sexual assaults can eventually be released from prison, but aren't allowed to teach again when they're released. Does someone who consorts with criminals have the right to compete in an athletic competition after they're convicted? I personally don't think so.
People forgive and forget. After Vick does his time, he will hear cheers again if he wins a few games or scrambles for a TD. Remember how Marv Albert was humiliated in the public? Has that hurt his career?
As a side note to this whole discussion. I'm a dog lover who has ALWAYS owned at least one dog. I currently own two, and just spent $2K in surgery to get my 7 year old Pitt Bull / Lab mix's knee repaired. But I'm continually amazed that when it comes to the rights of animals, the same people who advocate those rights often advocate violence against humans who violate animal rights.
For instance Jay, who is on record as saying that we should torture Michael Vick for his transgressions.
These people are all about protecting cuddly little puppies and kittens while enjoying their Veal and Steak and Chicken. Puppies and Kittens, you see, according to these people, are fortunate enough to be domesticated and therefore worthy of the same rights that US Citizens are afforded, while Cows, Chickens, and Pigs are, well, Cows, Chickens and Pigs.
Have you ever toured a slaughterhouse - Do you think *that's* humane?
(Apologies to the Buddhist Vegans who are the only ones who are consistent in that sense).
I enjoy my red meat, love my domesticated animals, but realize that humans and domesticated animals are not entitled to the same protections - unless you want to extend those protections to all living creatures.
Just one mans opinion.
Marv was seen by many as a pervert or victim, but not a criminal. That trial screamed set up from the get go. The excluded evidence, under poorly written shield law, was exculpatory. He got shook down, the DA was an accessory. That played a huge role is his re emergence.
Way to pile on, everybody. It's great that this comments section is filled with such upstanding, sinless people who have no problem with casting the proverbial 'first stone'. Clearly Vick's actions were abhorrent; that's not at issue here. But for all of you to think that you have a right to decide his future, I would suggest that you clean up your own shortcomings rather than focus on another's.
While I don't always agree with you--see Terrell Davis--I think your piece in today's paper was spot on, but perhaps a bit premature.
Vick will be close to 30 when he gets out of Federal prison, but is still facing local charges that could result in more jail time, according to reports. He's going to be on the back end of his playing career by then and will likely only be viewed as stop gap quarterback or veteran backup for a team that decides to take a chance. His days of being a star quarterback with unending potential are clearly over.
For all of you that feel Vick should be banned from the NFL...
Could you please supply a list of crimes that would be considered worthy of a lifetime ban?
Also, while you are at it, could you please supply a list of occupations from which you feel Mr. Vick should be banned?
People...we are not talking about a seat on the Supreme Court...
Our legal system has determined Vick's penalty. Society will penalize him further through lost endorsement opportunities. Aside from that, after his debt is paid, as an American, he is entitled to the freedoms we all enjoy...his playing in the NFL or not should be based on one thing...can he do the job.
I would gladly pay to watch him play QB for the Jets in 2011.
In fact...instead of sending him to prison...how about we make him coach and GM of the Knicks for 23 months...if given the choice, Mike would probably choose prison.
Vick is a disgusting human being who coldly tortured and killed animals.
The NFL sells entertainment. They may choose not to associate with someone who could alienate the public.
Many would be disgusted by his presence.
Were he crawling back into some back office, who cares, go earn your living. A football player is a public figure, thus needs the public's approval.
Think Tribune or Mr. Zell would be so understanding if you did these sick things, Mr. Glauber?
Also, why is it that people who don't have to actually do anything are the ones who say they take responsibility? Has he donated any of his millions to animal shelters or to help fight illegal dogfighting? THAT would be accepting responsibility. Not just saying you do and going to jail.