Michael Vick. The name is short but it brings along incredible emotion. Michael Vick may be more polarizing than Sarah Palin. He is a topic which transcends football America and divides the populous. Seemingly one is either a passionate Vick hater or a staunch supporter.
When discussing cases like Michael Vick, human nature tends to seek to justify or condemn evils done by an individual by comparing them to lesser or greater evils done by another in a similar situation. This was my initial instinct in the case of Michael Vick. Sports seems to always have great timing, as Vick’s release came just three months after NFL wide receiver Donte Stallworth served 24 days for a DUI which led to a second degree manslaughter. Thus, my argument: how can a man serve a year and a half in prison for fighting dogs when another serves less than a month in prison for taking a human life?
In retrospect, I now see that my argument was flawed. A man’s actions cannot be justified by comparison to another’s greater evils. Instead, we should objectively look at the wrongs committed by Michael Vick, and not at anyone else’s wrongs, and then examine the actions Michael Vick has taken since release from prison.
In court Michael Vick admitted to providing most of the financing for the dog fighting venture known as “Bad Newz Kennels.” He admitted to participating directly in several dog fights in Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina and South Carolina and to sharing in the proceeds from these dog fights. He admitted to being involved in the destruction of 6-8 dogs, by hanging or drowning.
To be frank, as I typed those sentences my stomach turned and a great anger built up inside of me. Michael Vick did terrible, horrific, disgusting things to dogs. Furthermore, this was not one isolated incident when Michael Vick lost his head. Judge Hudson, the man who sentenced Vick to 18 months in prison, said he was “convinced that it was not a momentary lack of judgment.”
Fast forward over two years from that court room to Tuesday November 23, 2010. Michael Vick now stands on a stage instead of in a court room. Vick is introduced by Wayne Pacelle, CEO of the Humane Society of the United States to students at Wilbur Cross High School in New Haven, Connecticut.
“I didn’t care about the welfare of animals,” Vick regretfully tells the student body. Now Vick stands firmly against animal cruelty. "Don't let your environment shape and mold you,” says Vick.
Vick appears remorseful when he tells the students that he has been "scrutinized and ridiculed" and "I deserved every word of it."
Pacelle spoke highly of Vick who has made 24 appearances with Humane Society officials – none of which were required by the court or the NFL. The relationship between Vick and Pacelle began when Vick contacted Pacelle towards the end of his sentence in federal prison and offered to volunteer his time. “And in the year-and-a-half I’ve known Mike, he has never turned me down once,” Pacelle said.
After the Eagles 34-24 comeback victory over the Houston Texans last week Vick spoke about the physical barrage his body endured throughout the game. "I'm used to taking hits. It's not that bad,” said Vick. “But I'm a pretty tough guy. I bounce back when I can.”
I find it impossible to not find an underlying message in Vick’s words and actions. Michael Vick is a man who has made terrible mistakes which led to him doing terribly horrific things. These mistakes led to the loss of his job, the loss of his wealth and a mountain of debt and 18 months in prison. I would say Michael Vick took a hit, to use his language.
While some will “never forget” what Vick did and hold hatred in their hearts, I will focus on what he has done since his fall. And that is this: he got back up and he started living with a purpose. And that is something truly worth focusing on.
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