First, I know this is a Florida mortgage blog. Heck, I write the thing. But the events of the past day or so have me stewing in it a bit.
Anyone who’s even walked past a TV, newspaper, or has been within ear shot of a radio knows that Michael Vick is now a member of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Though he fulfilled the sentencing requirements stemming from his financing of – and direct involvement with — a Virgina area dog fighting operation, I think NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Eagles Owner Jeffrey Lurie, and coach Andy Reid have made the absolute wrong call here.
There are just certain things that sports in this country – the best part of sports in this country – are here to teach us – including character, honesty, bravery, teamwork, and ethics. Yes, ethics. Like it or not, when players decide to suit up for professional sports organizations, they also tacitly agree to represent the ageless traditions our national sports programs have come to represent.
As an owner of two rescued dogs, it still sickens me to imagine how Michael Vick hanged dogs from trees, electrocuted them with jumper cables, held them underwater until they drowned in his swimming pool, and even threw his own family dogs into the fighting pit to be torn to shreds.
These actions weren’t accidental. They were premeditated, planned, and executed time and time again. I just can’t see how 2 years in prison and mentoring by Tony Dungy - a man for whom I have the utmost respect – can wash all that out of a person. Psychologists will tell you that by age 13, the morals, social behavior patterns, and belief systems of a young person are pretty much hard wired. Vick was no child when he committed these horrible crimes against both God and Nature.
However, as a Christian, and a flawed one at times, I think I can come to forgive Michael Vick for what he’s done – provided that he shows himself to be truly repentant. Only his actions can show us that this is the case. That said, I just don’t see a place for him as a member of an NFL team – or any other National sports team.
Call me a traditionalist, but sports are here on this earth to make us strong and teach us how to live strong – both physically and personally. Yes, I know. Some of the greatest sports figures of all time were also some of the meanest – Ty Cobb comes to mind.
But man, if we can’t hold tight to our expectation that those who suit up to earn the respect, honor, and adulation of the American public through sports live up to a certain ethical standard, then it really is all about televised ads, media revenues, and profits.
Maybe it is, and I’m just trying to hold on to something that isn’t there anymore. I refuse to believe that, and I guess that’s what has me so pissed off about Vick being brought back into the NFL fold.
Do I begrudge him the chance to earn a living for himself and his family? Absolutely not. In fact, I honestly hope that Vick turns it around, gets his life straight, and raises his children well. He left college after his sophomore year – he can go back. He can earn a degree, become something his family can be proud of – and move on.
I just don’t believe he should be making a living as a player in the National Football League. Continue his efforts with the Humane Society, speak publicly about the evils of dog fighting – in all it’s vile and disgusting iterations – but don’t do it as a member of a sports and societal fraternity that you openly and willfully disgraced.
PROUD SUPPORTER OF BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL RESCUE
I hope you found this post useful! As always, if you or anyone you know is in need of a local Florida mortgage broker, I’m your guy. Call me at 863-604-3019 or apply online for your Florida mortgage. We’ll keep you posted and let you know when it’s time to pull the trigger!
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Atlanta Falcons defensive back Patrick Bates was charged with assaulting his pregnant girlfriend and, three weeks after the baby was born, kidnapping the child and beating the mother with a gun. Bates finally was let go by the Falcons, pleaded guilty to reduced charges and was signed by the Oakland Raiders.
Falcons all-pro linebacker Cornelius Bennett was charged with rape, sodomy, sexual abuse and unlawful imprisonment. Bennett pleaded guilty to sexual misconduct and was sentenced to 60 days in jail. He was neither released by the Falcons nor fined by the NFL.
So your saying what Michael Vick was doing was worse than either of these people…Why have you not been blogging about them??? Get a life. Let me man move on with his career.
Andrew – thanks for your comment. You bring up yet two more examples of how the powers that be have allowed individuals to remain in the NFL despite horrific behavior off the field.
I have to ask. Do you have pets of your own? How about children? You think you’d still have the “let him just live his life” philosophy if he’d have killed a pet of yours? I’m guessing no.
I”m also not real sure about your reading comprehension level – given that I clearly stated above that I have no problem wishing the best for Vick in his future walk to straighten out his life. I just don’t feel he should be awarded the privilege of getting back a lifestyle and position he so readily threw away.
Re: the “get a life” comment. Yeah, you clearly have one of your own, seeing as how you resort to playground commentary when leaving blog posts. Dude, it’s the equivalent to “your Mama…”