Michael Vick: Sharing the Blame?
Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was released from federal prison recently after serving most of a 23-month sentence for his role in running a dog fighting ring.
But Vick’s new role—campaigning with the Humane Society to end dog fights—unleashed a torrent of public skepticism, from infuriated animal lovers to sports and opinion writers.
“People won’t easily forgive a man at the center of a ring that killed dogs that failed to fight well by hanging, drowning and electrocution,” stated one newspaper editorial. “A nation that fawns over Bo and Barney and queues up for ‘Beverly Hills Chihuahua’ and ‘Marley and Me’ will understandably be skeptical about giving Vick a second chance.”
As people pondered whether Vick was truly sincere, genuinely remorseful, and/or accepting responsibility for his actions, an assistant sociology professor at Tulane University declared that Michael Vick had been punished for “our crimes” as a “nation of outraged lobster-boilers.”
“What did Michael Vick do that is morally reprehensible?” asked Professor Shayne Lee, writing in The Philadelphia Inquirer. “Some of us forget that dogs are mere animals, and that animal mistreatment is as American as Apple iPods. Like Vick, most of us shamelessly abuse and kill animals”—for science, “leather jackets, ham sandwiches, or horse-racing.”
Noting that Vick’s actions “did not lead to the abuse of one single human being,” the sociologist said, “I think we have it backward. Let’s give the federal sentences to athletes who harm humans by beating them or jeopardize their safety by driving drunk. And let’s give slaps on the wrist to animal abusers.”
His conclusion: “If Vick is guilty, then we all are.”
Tell us what you think: Are we all guilty—or responsible—as charged? Michael Vick did the time for the crime, so should he be forgiven? Was his sentence too harsh?
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dog fighting
If I was on a jury in a case for dog fighting I would without a flutter ask the judge to give 10 years, no parole and no settlement. The question should be “How can a human truly be human if they can inflict that kind of pain to anything, especially a dog or horse, something that truly can love and willingly sacrifice for you. “A dog is just a dog.” But the Bible told of a human who looked into heaven and saw the animals surrounding the throne of God singing and praising God. Perhaps they were measured against the animal abuser and was found wanting. God put animals on earth for the needs of man, but if He sees the fall of a sparrow I am certain he is aware of the life and death of each of his creatures.
charlsie lyon | 4 months ago
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Operations manager
I believe in forgiveness but if Michael Vick wasn’t a big football player, would this discussion even be going on? How many regular people made a mistake, do their time and never get a chance to re-gain their life, even people who are mistakenly accused end up losing their jobs and families. if we are going to forgive Vick, let us get out and lobby for all who have paid their price. Vick was making millions of dollars, let him go try and get a job flipping hamburgers.
greg haugens | 4 months ago
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A price for pain
Michael Vick may have done time in jail but has he truly asked for forgiveness? It is a crime punishable by jail time for the dogs he abused. He made a lot of money off of their pain and suffering under his hand. A few months in jail are not near enough for Mr. Vick. God may have forgiven him but our society is doomed if we let this abuser continue to be in the public eye. It is proven that many animal abusers will go onto abuse women and children. We really don’t need a Michael Vick around our children or pets.
Rebecca Nickel | 4 months ago
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michael vick
I have been involved in animal work for over 55 years. I don’t regret a minute or a dime. My only regret is that I can’t live 50 more years so I could do more. Michael Vick is the lowest of the low. He should crawl under a rock and stay there.
madoline madigan | 3 months, 3 weeks ago
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hope he gets counsiling
i think he deserves another chance and some deep therapy to figure out how he could look at that day after day and not feel any sympathy for them poor animals. how he could not tell right from wrong in his heart.
rebecca mcdonald | 3 months, 3 weeks ago
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graduate school social worker student
I feel that if God can forgive us of our sins than we as a society should be more willingly to forgive each other. Yes, he did not use good judgment in getting involved in dog fighting but there is nothing he can do to change what has happened but to move forward and do different. I think we as people should be more wiling to look at ourselves and see if there are not things we need forgivness for in our own lives and once we as a society realize that than we will be more willingly to for our neighbor.
cassandra nash | 3 months, 2 weeks ago
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Not all tortured animals are the Beautiful Pit Bul
I am a volunteer who is working very hard to save The Pit Bulls in my town, They have just been band with in the city limits, a large part of the City Councils actions was because of Mike. He needs to keep giving back to the animals. I would like to ask him for a GOOD pair of grooming clippers W/all #’ of blades so I can help the animal’s in need. Some coming so matted that thay have magets in the mat next to the skin. That is animal torture also. I don’t care what he does on the field or in his personal life. I wish him luck. What he did can not be undone. He brought much need awareness to the sickness of fighting these wonderfull dogs. So— would someone help the dogs in my life with a pair of clippers?
Terry Mann | 3 months, 2 weeks ago
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Michael Vicks Story
I wonder how all the aimals would feel if he got another chance. I hope he never gets to have another pet or fighting slave as long as he lives.
Dede Anderson | 3 months, 2 weeks ago
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Michael Vicks Story
I hope he never gets a chance to have another animal for as long as he lives again. I’m sure the animals would not give a second chance if they could talk.
Dede Anderson | 3 months, 2 weeks ago
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He has to live with what he did.
I feel Mr. Vick will continue to feel the shame and guilt regarding the lost lives of the animals that suffered needlessly. He knows what he did. So does god. His jail time had nothing to do with the judgement he will face later. That is what I believe. I am not any holy roller by any means. The fact is every where he goes from now on, regardless if NFL contracts are re-signed, he will always be an animal abuser in the eyes of the public. That is punishment enough, after serving his time, it’s like wearing a scarlet letter. He will never have any honor, no matter how hard he tries. Something to think about.
mellissa allex | 3 months, 1 week ago
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