Is Vick Just Too Sick?

On June 12, 2009 Michael Dwayne Vick was released by the Atlanta Falcons.

This man Michael Vick was once heralded by some as the most exciting man to watch in American sports and the 10-year; $130 million contract he signed in 2005 reflect this and the level of faith his team showed in him.

However, after several isolated incidents it arose in 2007 that Vick was, outside of football, the leader of a dog fighting ring under the guise of 'Bad Newz Kennels'. Vick and his associates bred dogs and then forced them to fight each other to the death and gathered crowds to bet on the outcome. Seeing as Vick was one of the highest paid sports stars in the world at the time it's easy to say this wasn't about the money.

It gets worse. The dogs that were deemed to be underdeveloped or did not meet the targets for a fighting dog were brutally tortured and then executed. It is believed they used these methods to avoid creating attention from gunshots so some were beaten to death, some suffocated or drowned.

If you wish to read more (there is a lot) about this case then the details can be found here.

Vick was given the longest sentence of all those charged at 23 months federal imprisonment followed by 3 years of probation. It got worse for Vick as he was cheated financially by two seperate lawyers and he had to file for bankruptcy on July 7, 2008 as he owed his team and several banks money.

Vick was released from prison on May 20, 2009. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has said he will consider lifting his suspension. Vick has reportedly exercised while in prison and eagerly anticipates a return to the NFL.

This creates the dilemma that many argue and a question that i wish to pose to you. After reading the story, does Michael Vick deserve a second chance?

Firstly a video with exactly what he can do well:



But given all the negatives that obviously surround him, should he be allowed to compete again and command giant salaries that reflect his ability but contrast his demeanor?

Several other prominent sports stars such as basketballer, Stephon Marbury, have come out to defend Vick. It is important to remember Vick comes from a poor background in the Southern American states where dog fighting is a normal activity. Other defenders of Vick state that he was excessively punished due to his celebrity status and was made an example of by a harsh judge. Others simply say that Vick has served his sentence and he should be free to return, within the law, to his previous life free from judgement.

I personally feel that the emotionless character necessary for someone to carry out such acts on such loyal and intelligent animals as dogs means that Vick is unlikely to change deep down. The traits that allowed him to carry out such activities are almost impossible to shift and are deeply embedded.

However, i do believe in second chances and the right to move on after serving a prison sentence deemed fair by a court of law. BUT i also believe due to the nature of Vick's life before the prison sentence he should not be allowed to once again play in the NFL as an American Footballer. He isn't an average guy and the money he earned reflected that. When one is in the public eye and a role model to thousands of kids one should not be allowed to just return to how things were after committing such atrocities.

I want to know what you readers think. Leave a comment and a name with your views!

:)

TO