On one of our recent visits to Kelly Payne’s current issues class at Dutch Fork High School, our founding editor Sic Willie was asked his thoughts on Michael Vick’s imminent release from prison and the possible return of the former Falcons’ quarterback to the NFL.
“Everybody deserves a second chance,” Sic said. “He did something awful, but he gets a second chance in my book.”
And what if Vick messes up again?
“Lock him up and throw away the key,” Sic said.
That’s where we come down on it, too.
Vick – whose is scheduled to be released from a federal penitentiary in Kansas as soon as tomorrow- did the crime and has now done the time.
Justice, it can be argued, has been done.
Of course, if you’ve seen the faces of the dogs brutalized by Vick and his co-conspirators at Bad Newz Kennals, you may (justifiably) have a different opinion.
Such savagery is inexcusable, obviously … but is it also unforgivable? We’ll find out with Vick, who at 28 years old would otherwise be in the prime of his NFL career.
As it is, he’ll be busting his butt on construction sites earning $10 an hour while the substantial barriers to his NFL reentry are navigated by his agent.
Clearly, the first barrier to reentry is Vick himself.
Even without the dog fighting rap, Vick had a history of problematic behavior. In fact immediately prior to his incarceration, he failed a drug test that was a condition of his pre-trial release.
Forced into bankruptcy as a result of the salary and endorsements he has lost, Vick still owes millions. Whether he can make that money back as a starting quarterback in the NFL again remains to be seen, but based on everything we’ve seen, we put it at 50-50 whether or not he ever takes another snap.
Frankly, we hope that he does.
Michael Vick is one of the most sensationally gifted athletes the NFL has ever seen – and hands-down one of the most exciting to watch. If he chooses, he can now add an equally-inspiring tale of redemption to the on-field exploits that children so admire.
Let’s hope that’s the path he chooses …
By Toyota Kawaski May 19, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Did you wear a jersey on your visit?
By Alice Brooks May 19, 2009 at 4:41 pm
I frequently don’t agree with you, but I always enjoyed reading – until now, that is. This is disgusting, Will.
By Sic Willie May 19, 2009 at 5:43 pm
TK-
I did. A USC baseball jersey.
Alice-
Sorry you don’t approve.
-W
By scooter May 19, 2009 at 7:46 pm
Please read all the studies, and there are many, that show serial killers, rapists and murders, child and spouse abusers started out by torturing animals. All of your major killers/abusers have animal cruelty and sometimes fire setting in their background. Ask any therapist. Look it up on the Internet. Michael Vick may have talent, but so did Ted Bundy. He deserves nothing but continued therapy. Would you feel comfortable with your “daughter” out with him? Not likely. Bar the door, this man is sick. I have seen the faces and bodies of those poor dogs. Fairness would be equal shock treatments and beatings for Vick. This is sick. Too bad that he gave up a good career, but that was his choice. The dogs had no choice. Thumbs way down for Will.
By Mande Wilkes May 19, 2009 at 8:27 pm
Simmer down, people.
Looks like Vick’s even signed on as a volunteer with, of all things, the Humane Society.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/05/19/vick.humane.society/index.html
Come on, guys. It’s puppy paradise over there!
Vick’s latest PR move is positively gratuitous and transparent . . . which makes it just the sort of thing red-blooded, flag-flying, NFL-worshipping Americans will eat right up. (That means you, Sic.)
Gratuitous rehabbing aside, Vick does totally deserve a second chance. Everybody does.
Have a heart, you guys . . . cruelty is cruelty any way you cut it.
By dj May 19, 2009 at 10:44 pm
Oh you middle class people and your life in a bubble. I just don’t get the whole witch hunt on Vick, I mean really, go to Iraq or Afghanistan and see the dogs over there, then come back and see if we really need to go apeshit over Vick.But we have standards here they say! Rigggggghhht…we pick and choose our standards when its most convenient.As fickle as we are in our obsession of pop culture, he will come back, we will pay him even more this time around,because we are all about comebacks, that’s what makes this country the greatest fucking country on earth!!!! God bless America!
By Freddie Guy May 20, 2009 at 10:32 am
I was hoping to read about the bible thumping preacher/ used car salesman/ Democrat leaning (while sleeping with Republicans House member Ted Vick!
Who is this Micheal that you speak of? He is a tad darker that big old fluffy Ted Vick.
Fred
By Stuart V. "It Kid" May 20, 2009 at 11:39 am
It is too soon to let him out
By Robert "It Kid" May 20, 2009 at 11:43 am
I don’t think it really matters if he comes back. He doesn’t desrve too and he won’t be any good if he does. I think he should serve his punishment time in house arrest instead of playing football in the upcoming season.
By cerius May 20, 2009 at 1:48 pm
what’s more “inhumane”— abortion or dog-fighting?
By matt May 23, 2009 at 9:54 am
dog-fighting
By Brian May 25, 2009 at 7:23 pm
Vick treated his Dogs like some people treat their horses… they were bread and trained for sport… and when they didn’t perform, they were “retired.” one is more brutal than the other, of course… but it was a culture that some people in this country are familiar with and don’t care.
There are athletes who have been accessories to murder and other crimes that are still in the pro leagues today…
Sic’s right… he did the time, paid his price… let him come back and play….
By Ken Kendrick May 26, 2009 at 5:03 am
You can multiply thes numbers by thousands as these are just incidents that made it to the news.
PITBULL KILLS BABY -28,500 Articles!!!!!
PITBULL KILLS CHILD-181,000 Articles!!!!!
PITBULL KILLS OWNER – 799,000 Articles!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PITBULL KILLS 7 Month OLD – 140,000 Articles!!!!!!!!!!
PITBULL KILLS INFANT – 46,900 Articles!!!!!!!
PITBULL ATTACKS BABY – 108,000 Articles!!!!!!
PITBULL ATTACKS CHILD – 147,000 Articles!!!
REVOLT AGAINST PETA! LOVE THE HUMAN!!!!!!!!!!!!