Thursday, May 28, 2009

12 on 7


As many of you heard, Michael Vick is back on the street. He spent nearly 2 yrs in jail and is now on house arrest following his felony conviction for bank rolling an illegal dogfighting ring. Vick, the former #1 overall pick by the Atlanta Falcons, is currently serving a suspension that was handed down by the NFL's commissioner Roger Goddell. Vick will be on house arrest for 2 months. After he completes that, he will apply to be re-instated back into the NFL. Vick's release from prison and the possibility of a return has sparked a huge debate. Some believe that Vick should NEVER be let back in the NFL. Others believe that he's paid his debt to society and he should have the opportunity to play again if a team wants him. Everybody has an opinion on it. Here's my take...
I think I've been able to view Vick's situation from a different perspective. I'm a fan. Not only am a fan of the Falcons but I watched every game that Mike Vick ever played for my team. Unlike these smucks who've watched Vick on SportsCenter highlights for years. They don't have a clue. I have also owned a dog or 2 for most of my life. I love dogs. I'd own a dog right now if I could. My first memories on this earth involve me and my dog.

Let me preface my statements by saying that what Vick did was horrible and cruel. NO ANIMAL DESERVES THAT! Vick was dead wrong. He can't blame it on ignorance. He knew what he was doing was wrong. To be honest, if he had never gotten into trouble...he'd probably STILL be fighting dogs. Not only what he did was horrible, it was downright stupid. Vick's contract was worth 130 million. There's no way that you should risk 130 million for a few thousand dollar bets. That's what he did. I'll never understand that. You squander millions for thousands??? Now...I wasn't the best student in math...but I know that's backwards. Nevertheless, Vick did time for the crime that he committed. Personally, I don't think he should've served time. But he broke the law and that's it. I don't think you should go to jail for driving 75mph in a 35mph speed zone but if that's what the law is...then you have to obey the law. Vick has paid his debt to society. He doesn't owe me an apology. He doesn't owe me any money. He has kids that he has to take care of. He has a family to provide for. He has a life to live. I can't tell him how he should do it.

The big debate is "should Vick be allowed to play in the NFL again." Some say that he should be allowed to come back. However, there is a huge segment of the sports community that thinks that he should be suspended and not be allowed to play again. Huh? Are you kidding me? It's funny to me how people find "certain things" to stand on their morals. Don't get me wrong...dogfighting is a cruel. But would you want a dude on your team who is a convicted felon for dogfighting (Vick) or a dude who has been convicted of another crime? The NFL is full of dudes who have been in trouble with the law. Wanna dude who killed another human while he was drunk behind the wheel...go pick Leonard Little. Wanna dude who has been brought up on domestic charges for smacking women and even spitting on women...go pick Larry Johnson . Wanna dude who was "involved" but charged with obstructing justice in murder investigation...go pick Ray Lewis. Wanna dude who started a fight in a strip club and a hail of bullets that left a man paralyzed for life...go pick Adam "Pacman" Jones. I could go on and on. The bottom line is that there is crime in society so you;re gonna have crime in professional sports. I'm not absolving Vick for his horrendous act but I don't think killing another human is the same. These dudes are STILL in the NFL but people are saying that Vick shouldn't be allowed back in? Get off your high horse.

Most of Vick's downfall is his own fault. However, some of the blame falls at the feet of his former employer, the Atlanta Falcons. No...the Falcons didn't put 4 grand on lil Sparky. The Falcons made far too many concessions for Vick. The Falcons were too busy trying to cash in on the "Mike Vick Experience". They were too busy trying to make him the face of the franchise and he had no interest in that. Vick is a quiet dude. He was the star who didn't want to be the star. There were far too many times when Vick was the last one on the practice field and the 1st one to leave. You can't be the franchise QB and do that. I have friends in the Falcons front office and they all say that there was too much "coddling the superstar QB." No one will openly say that the Falcons knew that Vick was fighting dogs but they all say that the "Falcons knew SOMETHING was going with him." I can't put alotta blame on the Falcons. Vick was getting paid as much as Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. Too bad he didn't dedicate himself to the game like they do.

For those who say Vick should "come back and play another position"...save your breath. The dude made the Pro Bowl 3 out of 5 yrs as a starter. You don't get to be an All-Star just b/c you're mediocre. If Vick came back tomorrow, he's better than half the QB's in the NFL right now. Vick is a tremendous athlete and a decent QB. He needs a lotta work on his game. I remember when people would be critical of him for running too much but if you watched any Falcons games...you'd know why he was running. The Falcons had a horrible offensive line. And we had the worst wide receivers in the NFL...hands down. For as much as the Falcons profited from Vick, they never surrounded him with a decent offensive line nor a great wide receiver. However, things have changed for the Falcons. They made the playoffs last year and have a very good QB in Matt Ryan. Some will say that the whole Vick saga has to do with race. I don't think it does. I know white people who loved Vick and rooted harder for him than anybody else. I know black people who don't like Vick.

In the end, everybody deserves a second chance.

"The value of compassion cannot be over-emphasized. Anyone can criticize. It takes a true believer to be compassionate. No greater burden can be borne by an individual than to know no one cares or understands."- Arthur H. Stainback

19 comments:

Trish said...

Kyle, Did you want to vent a little today?!?!?!? Wow.
Okay while I am extremely upset with Vick for running Dog fights.
(I LOVE DOGS) I currently have a dog and cant imagine.
I do feel, him serving his time is just that... he has payed his debt.
I think the house arrest is a bit much especially when you put it into perspective compared to the other Knuckleheads in the NFL that have done FAR worse. I also feel that he would still be dog fighting if he hadnt been caught.
I can give him a second chance.
He better stay on the straight and narrow, cause fans arent gonna give him a third chance!

Beautifully.Conjured.Up said...

I'm just glad to see you posting again (yeeeaaaa)!!!

Now let me go back and read what you posted *smile.*

Unknown said...

A whole lot of words today. Great blog. I agree with ya, let the man play. He went to jail and did his time. Any other ex-con would be allowed to continue in his profession.

E.M.H. said...

I agree.....He deserves a second chance. He paid "his debt to society". Let him get on with his life and do what he is good at. Some people are acting like they live a squeaky clean life with...please!!!!

ShellyShell said...

Welcome back! We both posted today I see!
This is yet another topic that has me enraged! All these beyatches who are trying to take the moral high ground on this need to sit the eff down! Now am I mad that he was doing this I sure am. I love dogs had one all my life! Should he have had more sense he sure should have! But damn he fought dogs and lost a WHOLE lot doing that. He doesn't deserve a second chance? Yes, this country is built on people failing somewhere in life and being able to get back up and try again. So why can't he? As you stated in your post there are many athletes from football to hockey that have done far worse than Vick!
I mean damn he went to LEAVENWORTH for 17 mos. That prison is not minimum security but TI is at some minimum security prison for dealing guns...GTFOH! It's unfortunate that he was used as a scapegoat. I sincerely hope he gets another opportunity to play because he's an excellent athlete.
If he is given a second chance he better be on his p's and q's!

Pigskin Loving Lady said...

You already know I'm Team Vick!! I pray Roger Goodell gives him the opportunity to put his life back together.
I can see him playing for San Fran and Mike Singletary wants him.
Ye-ah!!

Rich Fitzgerald said...

He'll be back.

You make great points about other players who have done worse.

Fighting dogs ain't right, but despite the money, he is hood, and that's how they do, but you can best believe he won't do it no more. (yeah, I'm using my good English)

~Ms. Moore~ said...

Welcome Back!! Where have you been?

I have no great love for dogs but what Vick did was wrong. I have no great love for Vick but he has paid his debt to society and should be given another chance. People have done far worse things and paid less of a price. Remember the Thrashers player that drove drunk, sped across Peachtree crashed his car and killed his team mate in the passenger seat? He did not spend one day in jail for taking the life of a HUMAN. And everyone is in an uproar about Vick killing dogs? There are far more injustices in this world. Where is everyone’s concern for the people of Darfur and other places with similar troubles? There are people here in the USA without food, clothing or a place to live. Who cares about them?
I see you are very passionate about this Kyle. If things don’t work out for Vick with the NFL perhaps you can get him an application to work with you at your office---LOL
www.deliveringonthepromise.com/rcvmoore

♥ CG ♥ said...

OK...this time...but if I hear about any missing dogs...

Angel said...

you are back!! whoooo hoo

...they call me "L" said...

Devil's advocate, Kyle:

Would anyone give a shit about giving Vick a "second chance" if he wasn't a professional football player? Seriously, I think not.

With no disrespect to Bobby A above, the statement that "any other ex-con would be allowed to continue in his profession" is bullshit. In more cases than not, a felony conviction follows a person for the rest of their life, negatively impacting their ability to go out and be "contributing members of society". In many states, people with felony convictions aren't even allowed to vote. Check that box on the job app that asks if you've "been convicted of a felony" and most likely you're not even gunna get an interview.

I'm just sayin' Kyle, I agree with you that everybody deserves a second chance. But in my world, that includes all the regular people with felony convictions, not just the ones who are football stars.

-Q. said...

Aye bro, waddap now.. You hit this one sqaure.
The boy should play.With time served and however the commish wants to handle his punishment. afterwards he should play. My man Ray got off, Pac Man( i have this convo daily)- they are criminals. Vick probably is gonna fight em again after the smoke clear, lets be real..

But him being banned for life is stupid plain and simple. Some (black) folk say its the race card but its I dont think so, I just think Them pet lovers really go hard, and they get alot of spin on it. However ultimately whatever happens its his fault. The odds didnt even dwell in the same atmosphere as the means ya dig.
Me personally, I wanna see him wit da Vikings. But if he dont go oh well. This only make the future stars smarter. Eagles Chuurch -Q.

12kyle said...

@ Trish
I agree. No need for a third chance. All eyes will be on him.

@ Beautifully.Conjured.Up
Haaaaa! You know I can't stop

@ Bobby
Nooooooo doubt!

@ Erin
We all make mistakes. One of the differences is that our mistakes are made in front of our friends and family. His mistakes were made in front of the world.

@ ShellyShell
Great point. Leavenworth ain't no joke!!!

@ Pigskin Loving Lady
I would love to see him in San Francisco. The owner of the team has come out and said that he's not interested in Vick. Well...all of the owners are gonna say that while he's suspended. Once he's reinstated by the commish...the phone will be ringing

12kyle said...

@ Rich
LMAO!!!! Boyyyeeeeee uz a fool

@ Ms Moore
I guess you can say that I'm passionate about it. LOL. I've just grown tired of listening to these "experts" spew venom from their high horse. I've always been able to look at this situation objectively despite being a fan of Vick's .

@ CurvyGurl
LOL!!! As a part of his sentence and probation, Vick is not allowed to own any dogs

@ Angel
Preciate the luv!

@ L
I feel where you're coming from. If this happened to me, i wouldn't have spent a day in a federal prison. The case was about celebrity and status. I'm all for 2nd chances for anybody. It's tougher for Raheem from 3rd Ave to get a job as an ex-con than it is for Vick. But they both deserve another opportunity.

@ -Q.
Whuddup fam? Mannnnn, where have you been? Hope all is well with you.

Mizrepresent said...

I just think is too much...the man served his time and now they still want to persecute him...it's racist to the core...but i'm hoping that he comes through and is able to play again.

The F_Uitlist said...

I don't get why he even served time.. These players do way worse 'ish and are walking around scott-free.

I love animals, especially dogs but I don't think a man needs to be thrown under the jail after he already served his time. Why not make him see the era of his ways by having him donate a % of his salary and time to taking care of animals that were abused. let the man play.

dessex said...

I don't think people should continue to bash Vick. He served his time and paid his debt to society, there is not much more the man can do. He deserves a second a chance...They would certainly give one to Manning, Brady and the likes.

Stew said...

i agree with everything you said. no need for me to say anything more.

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