This is a story that evokes a lot of emotions in people. I understand both sides of the coin. But I also find it very hypocritical that we have a system that punishes people for their crimes and supposedly rehabilitates them for their crimes; but when they are released back into society we hold their past crimes against them. Thus, blocking any attempt at personal or professional growth. I understand some crimes are just so vicious – they are deemed unforgiveable. But I think there is a difference between forgiving and forgetting.
I have a deep admiration for those who can forgive their rapist or the person who has murdered a loved one. Those people never forget the violent act that changed their lives, but they forgive so they too can move on, so that they are not consumed by anger and pain. In the case of Michael Vick, you can argue back and forth all day long if dog fighting is a cultural thing or an immoral thing. At the end of the day you have taken a life – person or animal, it’s still cruel and wrong. Some of the NFL’s most prominent and respected players and coaches have vouched for Vick. They have been willingly to give Vick a second chance. They have accepted his apology; they have acknowledged that he has paid for his crime.
I am always the first to speak out when I think a celebrity is getting “special treatment” but in the case of Michael Vick, he’s paid for his crime. Therefore, I feel he should get a second chance. He lost his money, his reputation, and his credibility. He now has to earn all of those back -one pass at a time, one game at a time. I know one thing for sure, Rick Pitino is very happy the news of Michael Vick signing with the Eagles came down when it did.
I heard a comment this morning on ESPN’s Mike & Mike in the morning that prompted me to write this blog. The viewer said he was taken aback by all the negative reaction from Vick’s return into the NFL. He said so many people have made the comment, “What do I tell my kids when they ask me why Vick was allowed to return to the game after he did a bad thing.” The viewer went on to say that you should “tell your kids, that Michael Vick did a very bad thing. He acknowledged that it was bad; he paid for his crime, and asked for forgiveness. The same thing you or I do every time we do something wrong. We ask for forgiveness and hope that people will forgive us and let us do better.”
I want to know your thoughts, but before you start posting your comments- I ask that you remain respectful and professional.
Afua S. Owusu
(uh-fee-yah) (Oh-woo-sue)
News Producer
Comments (6)
The reason we hold it against him is because he's not even CLOSE to paying for his crime. He got an overly generous sentence because he's a rich millionaire athlete who could afford an expensive attorney that tried to pin this as a race issue and get the sympathy of the court. Suffice to say, that SOB payed off the judge, and as far as I'm concerned, he was never brought to justice.
Posted by David | October 5, 2009 1:10 PM
Posted on October 5, 2009 13:10
I agree with everything you've said, people need to move on as he's paid his dues.
Posted by web design company | August 18, 2009 12:53 PM
Posted on August 18, 2009 12:53
Like to start out by saying that if I ran up on a dog ring in the woods and no one was around, I would think about seriously injuring every human on the premises. With that said, Michael Vick is a talent and his life should not be over with for a mistake. I applaud the Eagles for picking him up and I wish him a long and prosperous career. One thing, though, I have heard of numerous dog rings being busted up (two notable rings right here in Gary, IN), and I have YET to see ANYONE do any jail time. Michael Vick was the only person I have ever seen get jail time and 23 MONTHS? How is that fair, really?
Posted by M. Cathy Ousley | August 14, 2009 4:32 PM
Posted on August 14, 2009 16:32
the mike vick saga has racial overtones all over it most people wont admit it but its true if m. vick could get a job sweeping streets for 1million dollars they would cry about that. most of the people who are opposed to m. vick return to the nfl are the same people who call themselves christians.i guess their god is ok with this. poll these people and i am willing to bet that the vast majority that are opposed to m. vick return to the nfl have forgiven the priests for molesting our innocent children, forgiven dui drivers who have taken innocent lives. im sure some of the people are hunters who kill animals by shooting them from a distance. m. vick was 100% wrong. let God judge him. i will be a fan of philly just because they gave m. vick a second chance. he will be successful in his come back.
Posted by fjefferson | August 14, 2009 3:04 PM
Posted on August 14, 2009 15:04
I agree 110% with your statement and the comment posted from Danielle Rouson. Now can we move on to something else and let Michael Vick move on with his life!!!!!!!!
Posted by msmanhattan | August 14, 2009 1:30 PM
Posted on August 14, 2009 13:30
I don't really care about sports nor animals, so this was one story that I chose to ignore - However, even for someone like me (who will never own a dog, and will only watch the superbowl for the commercials) understands that hey - people mess up! Thats what we do. But it's what you do after you screw up, that matters. And I think you put it perfectly - he did a bad thing, admitted it, and then paid for the crime - so now let the man move on with his life! Goodness! I would hate to be still paying for some of things that I did wrong....life goes on.
Posted by Danielle NolaDivine Rouson | August 14, 2009 8:56 AM
Posted on August 14, 2009 08:56