Vick-timized

Before I begin writing this post, it's only fair for me to point out that I am a lifelong fan of the New York Giants who bleeds Giant blue. Thus it goes without saying that I am not a fan of the Philadelphia Eagles, one of the Giants' fiercest rivals in the NFC East. But you're just going to have to take my word for it that what I'm about to write is in no way related to the fact that Michael Vick is currently the Eagles' starting quarterback. I would be writing this same post and outlining the same argument regardless of which uniform he was wearing. What is my argument? Very simply, I think it is an utter disgrace that Michael Vick is a starting QB in the NFL, that he is getting ready to lead his team into the play-offs this weekend, that he will be playing in the Pro Bowl, and that he is being considered in the discussions regarding this year's NFL MVP Award.

At one time, Vick was arguably the greatest athlete to ever play in the NFL. His speed, quickness, arm strength, and explosiveness made him an absolute nightmare for opposing defensive coordinators. No one doubted that by the end of his career, he'd own the record for most career rushing yards by a QB, and maybe even for most combined yards (rushing and passing) as well. But there was one major problem with Vick, evident to everyone in the Atlanta Falcons' organization. His work ethic was deplorable. He was habitually the last one to enter the building and the first one to leave, both during the week when the team practiced and on game day. He believed that his extraordinary physical capabilities somehow would compensate for his lack of preparation. Vick was hardly the best student when it came to reviewing game tapes, mulling over game plans for the upcoming week, and familiarizing himself with the Falcons' offensive system. It takes character to have a work ethic, and it was in this area that Vick was sorely lacking.

Little did the Falcons know that Vick's lack of character extended way beyond football. By now, just about everyone, even those who know nothing about the game of football, is aware of the heinous crimes he committed against animals. He was one of the key players in a dog fighting operation that also involved illegal gambling. Vick took part in preparing dogs for fighting, torturing and killing those dogs that weren't getting the job done, and even provided most of the money for the gambling side of the operation. When the dust settled after the investigation, Vick admitted to conduct that was "illegal, cruel, and reprehensible" and pleaded guilty to federal charges. For this, he payed dearly, both literally and figuratively. He was forced by an arbitrator to return $19.97 million of a $20 million signing bonus he had received from the Falcons. He was sentenced to 23 months in federal prison. He was indefinitely suspended from the NFL. In the end, it is estimated that he lost $142 million in salary, signing bonuses, and endorsements.

Vick served his sentence, did his time, and was ready to return to the NFL in 2009. He quickly gravitated to Tony Dungy's side, adopting the revered former head coach as a mentor. Ultimately, the Eagles signed him to a contract, and though he didn't contribute much in his first year, he has paid enormous dividends this past season. Vick will be starting in the Pro Bowl, led the Eagles to the NFC East title, will be on the field when they host the Green Bay Packers this weekend in the first round of the NFL play-offs, has a definite chance of playing in the Super Bowl, and is a candidate for the NFL MVP award. What more can you ask for in a QB?

I know that I'm in the minority when I say what I'm about to say, but I think it's shameful that this type of story is unfolding before our very eyes. Many want to believe that this is a prime example of how the penal system in our country really is working. They want to think that this is an extraordinary tale of a changed man, of someone who went from the depths of hell to the heights of heaven after a major conversion. They see Vick as a hero, as someone who they can point to as being the epitome of the ultimate comeback, a shining beacon of hope for all those who fall but then get a second chance. Sorry, but I just don't see it that way.

The NFL thrives on pushing its players as role models and strongly encourages them to perform community service. Community service is in fact something that many NFL organizations require of their players. Though there are plenty of pro athletes who shun the idea of being a role model, the NFL will have none of it. Players are constantly reminded that being a pro athlete and a role model go hand in hand. This is something that I strongly believe and thus I commend the NFL for their persistence on this issue. Yet, somehow it doesn't seem right that arguably their biggest star, their poster boy, the player who has a chance to have one of the greatest seasons in NFL history, is a liar, dog torturer, dog killer, illegal gambler, and ex-convict. Is this really who the NFL wants as a role model for the millions and millions of young people who watch NFL football regularly?

The NFL has banned players for life before, in most cases for drug offenses. I totally understand that approach, since drug addicts are not exactly the type of people you want representing your league. Yet drug addiction is an illness. It is possible that the person who partakes in it is more the victim of a terrible disease than the perpetrator of a heinous crime. Yet these players have been banned while Mr. Vick gets to take the field each Sunday and put on a performance for NFL spectators. I don't understand it. Playing in the NFL is a privilege, not a right. Michael Vick doesn't have a right to be there, even though he did serve his sentence and pay his debt to society. This isn't about that. It's about whether an ex-con deserves this type of opportunity given his sordid past, whether he should be in the national spotlight every week, and whether our children should be adopting this guy as a role model, perhaps even as their idol.

The federal judge who sentenced Vick said that he did not believe for one minute that Vick was ever truly sorry for his crimes. First, Vick consistently lied to federal investigators before finally owning up to what he did. Then, his body language and speech during his trial were tinged with insincerity. Even now that he is free from prison, he has still associated himself with the same men who he partnered with in the dog fighting operation. Does this sound like a changed man? Granted, no one can see inside a man's heart except God Himself. For the rest of us, we have to make our own judgment, which may or may not be wrong. My judgment, based on what evidence I have, is that Vick is not at all a changed man. I think he'd go back to dog fighting in a heartbeat if he could get away with it. At the very least, why has he not relinquished his ties with the criminals who conspired with him?

If we as a society truly want to send a positive message to young people, if we really want to demonstrate to them what type of behavior is acceptable, and if we really want them to follow in the footsteps of those who are good and righteous, then people like Michael Vick have no business playing in the NFL. Vick served his sentence, and so he deserves his freedom and a chance to integrate back into society. But he doesn't deserve the opportunity, a precious opportunity that so few receive, to play in the most popular professional sports league in the United States. He does not deserve to play in the Pro Bowl, though he will be there. He does not deserve to play in the Super Bowl, and he sure as hell does not deserve to be NFL MVP. I'll be pulling for any other NFC team to oust Vick from the play-offs, and for Tom Brady to win the MVP award.

As much as I've always respected the NFL for keeping their players in line, unlike some other pro sports leagues where the inmates run the asylum, I believe they dropped the ball big-time on Michael Vick. I wonder how Roger Goodell would truly feel if Vick goes on to have the greatest season in NFL history. Sure, he'll say all the right things about what a wonderful turnaround Vick has accomplished, and what a heartwarming story it is. But will this really be endearing to him? Will he honestly be happy about having an ex-convict as the NFL's ambassador? As I said before, only God can see inside a man's heart. But I have to believe that Goodell is dreading the thought of things panning out this way. In the end, he'll have no one to blame but himself for letting Vick back into the league, all the while watching the league's reputation take a major hit. Hold up that NFL shield, Roger. The blow may be coming.