Michael Vick
So today Mike Vick is released from prison after serving time for his part in an organised dog fighting ring. And I’ve got a question for you: Are you ready to get over it already? Because you know what? You should be.
Us bloggers love Vick. Just like Brady, whenever we can’t think of something to write about, we can always do a quick post ridiculing him, safe in the knowledge that it will be accepted by our peers in the blogosphere. I’m sure I’ve been guilty of that many times here on STN. We love to hate on him, vilify him for what he’s done and poke fun at him. He’s an easy target and lets face it, it sure beats having to research a fresh story doesn’t it?
But in this humble bloggers’ mind it’s time to let go.
Now, I’m not a fan of dog fighting, cock fighting, hunting or anything like that. Heck, I don’t even like WWE for crying out loud, but when you put Vick’s crime into perspective and look at the attention it has received and how badly he has paid for it, surely the punishment has gone far enough. The man made a horrible, stupid mistake but come on people, it’s not like he stabbed someone, ran someone down with a car or held them at gunpoint and robbed them. What he did was wrong, but he’s more then paid his price hasn’t he?
Surely he has. Vick has lost everything for his crime. Not just a temporary suspension of his freedom, but also his house, his money and quite possibly, his career too. But why should that be? If a construction worker commited the same crime, he would be allowed back to work the minute he was released. Why then should Vick not be allowed to return to his job? Because it pays more? Get the hell out of here.
I know that football players are supposed to be role models but you know what? That’s a cop out. We’re all supposed to be role models. We’re all supposed to show respect for our elders, be polite and play by the rules. But name me one person that hasn’t made a mistake in his life. Show me one person who hasn’t done something stupid that they sincerely regret. Or even better, find me someone who had millions of dollars in his early twenties and didn’t do something that others would be horrified by. Spare me your outrage you high-horse riding, moral high-ground fuck.
The truth is that Vick was a poster boy and as such has had the kind of fall from grace that people in his position who screw up can only expect. But he’s paid for his crime, a crime that no actual human being was hurt by.Why am I saying this now? Because somebody has to. You don’t have to like the guy, I sure as hell don’t, but I’ll tell you what I do like-watching Mike Vick split a defense in half with a ridiculous, touchdown scoring run. I miss watching him play and if you’re being totally honest, you miss that too.
What I’m saying is simple. If someone wants to give him the chance, Vick should be allowed to play again. I’m not saying that we should forget what he’s done, but we shouldn’t stand in the way of his chance of redemption either. What right have we to deny a person his right to make amends? If he screws up again, that’s when we bring the hammer down.
So I’m asking you, openly and honestly: Are you ready to let sleeping dogs lie (sorry), are you ready to give a guy who fucked up another chance? Are you ready to get over yourself?
May 20, 2009 at 3:15 pm
Totally Agree!!
Everyone deserves a second chance. ( We gave OJ- 3 chances, after his team produced a Nobel Prize winning theory that a bloody glove contracts on contact with the ground!!).
Vick absolutely deserves a second chance and I totally agree with your views- and I am sure half of America thinks so too. This way- who knows- he can become a very very productive member of society by utilizing part of his future earnings to make up for the mistakes of the past. Instead giving him $10/hour- what’s wrong with you guys?
Vick- if you are reading this come to my Company- I’ll pay you $35/hr!! I guarantee you folks- I will triple my Company turnover via publicity if Vick works for me!!
NFL- are you listening?? -take the high road and don’t lose this man. Give him a chance to do the right thing.
May 20, 2009 at 8:46 pm
Did you see what he did to those dogs?? Did you see the pictures of the dogs that had been left for dead outside after he had his “fun”? It’s sick, and I hope he never gets a job again in the NFL. EVER.
Screw OJ too. OJ got off because LA County couldn’t get off their rear ends and do their investigative work correctly. Hence, that’s why they all got fired. I find it hard to believe that Americans are ready to give Michael Vick a break…have you read Denis Leary’s new book? I know he’s not….
May 22, 2009 at 6:22 pm
No I am not ready to forgive and I never will be. The man is a mass murderer multiple times over. He presided over the rape, torture, and murder of living, feeling, aware beings. His jail sentence should have been longer, and the conditions of his release should have been more stringent. Further, let’s not forget that a blatant and willful disregard for the well being of animals is one of the most common sign posts of a nascent serial killer.
So again, no he has not paid. And frankly if he had truly seen the error of his ways he would realize that nothing he could ever do would be enough.
July 28, 2009 at 6:16 pm
Those who show no mercy will receive no mercy from God. He served his time, he lost everything that he had over the course of his NFL career, so why piss on him while he’s down? Vick has hit rock bottom, and it’s time for the NFL and Roger Goodell to give Vick a second chance and a shot at redemption.
I am willing to forgive Vick for what he has done, which is a terrible crime, but St. Paul was a mass murderer who killed Christians left and right, and people are willing to get over that.
It’ll be interesting in how the Roethlisburger lawsuit goes and how people are going to react if Big Ben did end up being found liable.
July 28, 2009 at 6:26 pm
*raises an eyebrow* Define mercy.
I have in no way shape or form suggested that Vick should be killed, or tortured in kind. Nor have I suggested that he should be locked away from all human contact for the rest of his days.
Rather I have merely stated that his jail sentence was in no way, shape, or form nearly commensurate with his crimes. And that further the terms of his release should have been more stringent. Like for example a percentage of any earnings going to the care and maintenance of the dogs who survived his actions, for the rest of their lives.
As for whether Vick has hit rock bottom or not? I do not care. My sympathy is not with him at all. Rather it is with the victims, both direct and indirect of his monstrous actions.
As for your choice to compare Vick’s crimes with a personage who is at best from deep history, if not totally fictitious I would say that the comparison has no merit.
Likewise your invocation of Roethlisburger’s situation, which is so incredibly different as to amount to almost a non sequitur at the end of your post.
Ultimately if you wish to forgive Vick, that is your choice. However I would strongly suggest that unless the Almighty has been hanging around your house lately, you stick to speaking for yourself, and cease attempting to serve as divine spokes person.
Peace and long life.
Toriach
December 11, 2009 at 11:15 pm
This is sick! I’m sorry but a few yaers in prison was NOT good enough. He is not sorry he totured and killed these animals. That’s just what he’s suppose to say, Duh
I wish I could get my hands on him, set his ass on fire and watch him die a slow and very painfull death..eye for an eye.
Die Vick!
September 19, 2011 at 5:27 pm
this website…
[...]I’m ready to forgive Michael Vick, are you? « Shot to Nothing…[...]…
September 19, 2011 at 6:31 pm
mother of the groom speeches…
[...]I’m ready to forgive Michael Vick, are you? « Shot to Nothing…[...]…