Michael Vick: the Road to Redemption

[TripletDaddy]

It is being reported that Michael Vick may be in his home as early as May (subject to home confinement) and ready to start work.

It appears that his initial job will be a construction job for $10/hour, arranged by a friend of his that owns several companies. Vick's agent is also discussing his proposed roadmap back to the NFL, with outside hopes of signing an incentive-laden deal with a team by September.

Per the terms of Vick's bk deal, the first $700K or so of his salary is his to keep. The rest goes to creditors until his debt is paid off.

What are your collective thoughts on the fate of Vick? Were his crimes so heinous that you hope he never gets back to the NFL? Do you not really care about his crimes and hope he gets back ASAP because he was exciting to watch? If you were Atlanta, would you take him back (they have already said they would not)?

I am fine with Vick coming back to play in the NFL. If he still has the talent, I don't see any reason why he should not be allowed to play. He served his prison time, so his debt to society has been paid. I see nothing to be gained by keeping him down now that he has served his time.

Also, if Vick does come back, I would find it somewhat annoying if PETA or other groups were to protest Vick's presence at every stadium around the league. PETA got what it wanted....dog abuse was front and center in the media for months, Vick was destroyed financially, and he went to prison. It would seem that even PETA would have to call off the dogs, so to speak.

I think he will wind up back in the NFL and will return to be a pretty popular player. I think the NFL fanbase will get behind him and root for him.

[YOhio]

I hope Vick is able to turn his life around, utilize his talent and make a success of the remainder of his career. Also, Goodell better not leverage additional suspension time after Vick's reinstatement. After all he's gone through, it's completely unnecessary. I love a good comeback story and will definitely be cheering for him.

[DrumNFeather]

I hope Vick is able to turn his life around, utilize his talent and make a success of the remainder of his career. Also, Goodell better not leverage additional suspension time after Vick's reinstatement. After all he's gone through, it's completely unnecessary. I love a good comeback story and will definitely be cheering for him.

I tend to agree. Vick got the book thrown at him (in terms of NFL crimes and criminals). He is coming back at the right time as well with the new wild cat formation.

It'll be interesting to see what team takes a chance on him...if any.

[cougjunkie]

Amazing that the man is still only 28 years old. He still has a long career ahead of him. Goodell should reinstate him right away. In fact he agreed to do some anti-dog fighting ads for PETA but they pulled him from him recently.

Regardless the man has paid his debt to society and then some. It amazes me that Leonard Little killed a women while driving drunk and he didnt serve a minute in jail. Plaxico Burress shot a gun in a crowded club is looking at 2 months. Donte Stallworth just killed someone while driving drunk and he most likely wont serve what Vick did. Pacman Jones posse killed a man and left another paralyzed (we all know he was involved) he also reportedly ordered a hit on another man didnt serve a minute in jail. Vick was made an example of and I hope he makes a comeback in the NFL.

[TripletDaddy]

Amazing that the man is still only 28 years old. He still has a long career ahead of him. Goodell should reinstate him right away. In fact he agreed to do some anti-dog fighting ads for PETA but they pulled him from him recently.

Regardless the man has paid his debt to society and then some. It amazes me that Leonard Little killed a women while driving drunk and he didnt serve a minute in jail. Plaxico Burress shot a gun in a crowded club is looking at 2 months. Donte Stallworth just killed someone while driving drunk and he most likely wont serve what Vick did. Pacman Jones posse killed a man and left another paralyzed (we all know he was involved) he also reportedly ordered a hit on another man didnt serve a minute in jail. Vick was made an example of and I hope he makes a comeback in the NFL.

Don't forget Ray Lewis. That dude walked on a murder 1 charge and then was allowed to continue his career. He wins the Super Bowl MVP next season will likely end up in Canton. And he admitted to kicking and stabbing his victim, only to change his story later. This was a human, not a dog.

[il Padrino Ute]

I'm conflicted about whether Vick should be back in professional sports - at any level - after having been convicted a crime which resulted in prison time.

On one hand, if he served his time with good behavior, has learned his lesson about thinking he's above the law and is still able to demonstrate that he has the ability to play at that level, he should be given a chance - with the caveat that there is a zero tolerance clause in his contract that says even one stupid decision off the field is enough for a lifetime ban and the forfeiture of all earnings.

Harsh, yes, but playing pro sports is a privilege, not a right.

On the other hand, I say to hell with him. He had his chance but decided that because he was a rich pro athlete he could get away with being a societal cancer. The consequence should be that he's gone forever.

The NFL is huge and will always be around, but it seems far too often that in that league - and all the other pro leagues - that it's the criminal element in the leagues that get all the positive attention simply because they can play at that level. If pro leagues wouldn't allow these cretins to play, the competition will still be at a higer level, but kids wouldn't worship the bad element and it could have a more positive effect on society.

[TripletDaddy]

are there any other professions that should disqualify people that have served jail time?

Just out of curiosity, once a person has served their sentence, what added benefit is there to keeping them down by disallowing them to work in their field of training? Rooting against his ability to get back to the NFL would seem to be overly putative for no good reason.

I get that the NFL owners don't have to hire him back. They have legitimate business concerns....would Vick cause lost ticket sales? Would he cause protests? Would he be a distraction to the team? Those are concerns a responsible business owner should ask.

However, I am asking the people here, and nobody here has such a vested financial concern. The responses given are purely as disinterested bystanders with no real investment either way. What would be the motivation for a casual NFL fan to check the "screw him" box on this ballot?

[YOhio]

are there any other professions that should disqualify people that have served jail time?

Il Pad has class envy. Notice how he focused on the wealth of the athletes.

[il Padrino Ute]

are there any other professions that should disqualify people that have served jail time?

Just out of curiosity, once a person has served their sentence, what added benefit is there to keeping them down by disallowing them to work in their field of training? Rooting against his ability to get back to the NFL would seem to be overly putative for no good reason.

I get that the NFL owners don't have to hire him back. They have legitimate business concerns....would Vick cause lost ticket sales? Would he cause protests? Would he be a distraction to the team? Those are concerns a responsible business owner should ask.

However, I am asking the people here, and nobody here has such a vested financial concern. The responses given are purely as disinterested bystanders with no real investment either way. What would be the motivation for a casual NFL fan to check the "screw him" box on this ballot?

Absolutely. Vick just happens to be a pro athlete. A guy like Madoff should never be allowed to work on Wall Street after serving his time. It should be applied equally to all professions.

I just used pro athletes because they are looked up to by so many of today's youth who for some reason or another think that it's cool to be an asshole.

[Surfah]

are there any other professions that should disqualify people that have served jail time?

Just out of curiosity, once a person has served their sentence, what added benefit is there to keeping them down by disallowing them to work in their field of training? Rooting against his ability to get back to the NFL would seem to be overly putative for no good reason.

I get that the NFL owners don't have to hire him back. They have legitimate business concerns....would Vick cause lost ticket sales? Would he cause protests? Would he be a distraction to the team? Those are concerns a responsible business owner should ask.

However, I am asking the people here, and nobody here has such a vested financial concern. The responses given are purely as disinterested bystanders with no real investment either way. What would be the motivation for a casual NFL fan to check the "screw him" box on this ballot?

This is how I feel. He did his time. Now let the owners decided if they want to spend their money on him. They may all very well turn the other way on him and he may never play another down of ball in the NFL. But that should be their preference or decision and not Goodell's.

[il Padrino Ute]

Il Pad has class envy. Notice how he focused on the wealth of the athletes.

I envy that I can't break the law and get away with it, which I freely admit may very well be class envy.

[TripletDaddy]

Absolutely. Vick just happens to be a pro athlete. A guy like Madoff should never be allowed to work on Wall Street after serving his time. It should be applied equally to all professions.

I just used pro athletes because they are looked up to by so many of today's youth who for some reason or another think that it's cool to be an asshole.

Actually, the madoff example is a really good point. He violated his fiduciary duty and likely lost any licensing that he previously had to engage in his line of business. This would have to preclude him from returning to the same line of work, at least in that state.

[YOhio]

I envy that I can't break the law and get away with it, which I freely admit may very well be class envy.

Yes, because Michael Vick got away with breaking the law.

[il Padrino Ute]

Yes, because Michael Vick got away with breaking the law.

Well, his mistake was that he killed dogs. That crossed the line.

[YOhio]

Well, his mistake was that he killed dogs. That crossed the line.

So he didn't get away with breaking the law. Then what are you still pissed about?