Michael Vick Some Kind of Hero

Travel deep in the back woods and you may find people betting on dog fights. Unfortunately, this practice has been going on long before the Vick fiasco without any investigations, convictions or two year sentences being handed out either.
Vick will be the first one to tell you, he knew better. Millions of dollars in endorsements and signing bonuses should have kept him on the straight and narrow, so why his crooked ways? Maybe the company he kept was too familiar with back wood tendencies. If they were not, they certainly had a moonshine type mentality. Truthfully, some city folks fight dogs also. True to judicial form they are not convicted either; if they are their punishments are not as harsh.
In contrast, Vick’s bail was set to fit his bank account not his crime. Mr. Vick made one of the biggest mistakes in history, besides those that voted for Bush a second term. Why do we want to crucify M.V. and not G.W.? If Vick did two years, shouldn’t Bush do twenty-two for the war in Iraq? Conjecture I know, but the fact remains Michael Vick served more time than some people that commit manslaughter.
Upon his release the public still demanded an eye for an eye. I understand he needed to prove his trustworthiness before returning to the NFL, but wasn’t that part of the jail sentence? Some may say no, while others may say yes. Nonetheless, if he had been banned from football wouldn’t that have been punishment enough?
Today, Vick returned to Atlanta and the Falcons lost. He did the crime, he served his time and now he has become some kind of hero. Any man that is able to heal after people continually pick at old wounds is deserving of mention. Frankly, we should be tired of Vick’s association with dog fights. Aren’t we fighting two wars? Media its time to let it go!
As a fan, I must say I’m proud because he can still play despite the unforgettable mistake. I’m glad that he continues to make amends. Proving there can be redemption after prison while wearing stigmatism’s brand.
A few days ago he was on HLN advocating dogs as pets. Vick talked about a German Shepherd he had as a child, and the anchor said, “…who in their right mind would give him a dog?” The answer is no one, because only those with a forgiving heart would give a man from prison another try without all the scrutiny.
Fittingly, the Eagles reign victorious over the Falcons, the only team forgiving enough to take Vick back. The Falcon’s owner did not take Vick back because of what again? I believe he said, “…too many burned bridges or too many lies.” Most people get fired after one. Reason Vick was not fired after one, may have been the millions of dollars he was earning for the owner. Plus, no person in their right mind cares about burnt bridges when you can buy a boat. Additionally, didn’t Jim Mora bail on the Falcons? Interesting when you analyze the inner workings of this team, their reputation took first place and redemption was never given a second thought. I guess I would bail to with that type of attitude.
Many men get out of jail only to become a repeat visitor. A federal conviction revokes their right to vote, they struggle to find legitimate work, and the odds are not stacked in their favor. Of course all this stems from the choices they chose, but when will society become less condemning? Imagine the lop-sided victory the justice system must feel when they say, “Hi friend. Welcome back.” People were so quick to keep Michael Vick down, imagine how the common criminal must feel after paying his or her debt to society. Reform isn’t reform if we are reminded about the mistake every time we turn on the news, and a team isn’t quite a team if it’s not willing to lay reputation aside to give a man another try.