Michael Vick has been conditionally reinstated into the NFL by commissioner Roger Goodell. Stan and Rich think that Goodell made the right decision. Vick paid his price, some would say more of a price than some people who commit even more horrid crimes, and should be given a second chance. Let the man earn a living. Ryan and Nicole don’t necessarily agree. Yes, he paid his price and served his time but why should he be allowed back into the NFL? What he did was horrible and inhumane.
Rich and Stanley T agree with them that what he did was not good, but there are other people who have done much worse things and paid a lesser price than him. Any prisoner who gets let out of prison on parole is given a second chance at being a law-abiding citizen, and some of these prisoners are ones with a violent track record. So why should Michael Vick, who admitted his wrong-doing and willingly did time for it, as well as pay fines, not be given a second chance at his career?
What do you think? Do you agree with Rich and Stanley T that it was right to reinstate Vick and allow him the opportunity to play? Or do you agree with Nicole and Ryan and think Vick gave up his career the moment he broke the law and participated in dog-fighting?
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There are nfl players that have dui manslaughters on their records. Anyone.who thinks vick deserves more punishment, its crazy. Hegot more than he should have anyway!
Obviously, the ones that condone this behaviour and say that dogs aren’t as important as humans are the people that do not have dogs as a pet. A dog is part of the family and is more trustworthy and loyal than any human. Also, the fact that Michael Vick did his time and should be let back in society is ridiculous. Prison does not rehabilitate. Would you have the same opinion of any pedophile or sex offender that is profiled to be a high risk when they are let out of prison? Should they be allowed back in our children’s schoolyards?
Its not like Vick made his living with dog fights. No one likes to someone else harm animals. But also remember he served his time he wasn’t let out of jail early.
i just want to say those 2 are bafoons they should of did the same thing he did to the puppys eather that or life in prison he should of never got out
im sorry but im 15 i love animals and if my friend put what she wanted …………. you guys would be chewed out she is 1 year younger than me she has 5 pits of her own they are hir kids me i have 19 cats 4 horses 2 dogs 1 bird 1 guniea pig (gittin another 1 to make 2) 5 outside cats 7 racoons 2 foxes and 6 skunks and they are family i love them and if some one did that to our animals id go over the edge and rely hert the ons that hert them and do the same that they did to my family. so tell them that if they dont think animals are people wach the Animals Are People Too. they should learn a thing or too from the animal lovers they are cold hearted. what if they were the owners of the dog or the dog its self how would you feel. >:( i use to like you 2 but not more
He is a FELON convicted of a hideous crime. He should not be allowed to play any pro sport ever again. Is he a role model? NO! O.K. , he did his time but that doesn’t mean he gets his old life back .Ask any convicted felon and they will tell you there are lifelong consequences to your conviction. It always affects your employment.Nobody wants a convicted felon, well except the NFL.
I see where Nicole’s coming from. But I also get why Rich and Stanley T think it’s fine for Michael Vick to go back into football.
I agree (Almost) completely with Nicole. He killed dogs. Animals, creatures that still have feelings and can feel pain. It’s about as bad as killing a human.
He destroyed a life/lives and he only went to jail for a little while. I think that yes, in a way, he needs to be punished more. Which is why it would be smart to not let him return to the NFL.
But, at the same time, most people realize their mistakes, and they change based on the consequences they’re given FROM those mistakse. Michael Vick might’ve changed and he might never do it again.
I think the people working inside the NFL are just trying to give him the benefit of the doubt. And he was a good player, so I think they’re a little afraid to just let him walk away.
[Sorry if this doesn't make sense. You've got a 15 year old girl typing all this up
haha]
I’m an animal lover and don’t agree with what Michael Vick did but he owned up to it and served his time. He should be allowed the chance to come back. How can you hold him accountable and not allow him to play when you have players such as Dante Stallworth guilty of manslaughter and killing a human being only suspended for a year and you aren’t holding him to the same measure of scunity. PacMan Jones, Ray Lewis – all players involved in crimes against humans not animals and they are praised as superstars and still playing in the NFL.
There’s a news story going around right now about a firefighter that was convicted of killing his dogs so he didn’t have to board them while he went on vacation. He lost his job. Why should Vick be given special treatment? He’s a convicted felon, who in the real world hires convicted felons? I think McDonalds has higher standards then that. Vick isn’t special, why should he be given the privilege to play sports? Do sexual offenders serve their time and then get to do what they want? No, they’re labeled for life. It should be the same of any other criminal. Maybe the NFL should be a little more strict on who they let play the game. If someone is convicted of a felony, maybe they should be allowed to play anymore…just like in the real world. There are repercussions for every other criminal out there.
this is such a hard question. but im agreeing with stan and rich that michael vick shoud be allowed to play ball again. yes what he did was wrong, he admitted it and did his time for it. sure he was a role model but now he can even tell kids what its really like to be a superstar. the up’s of fame, and even the downfalls of fame. thats what you want in a role model. its nice having someone that never did anything wrong but each person is different.
oh and btw, the army will take felons. small felonies but still felons.
I agree that those who commit such crimes should not be allowed to be heroes or make incredible amounts of money. That aside however, the NFL must be consistant. If Ray Lewis of the Ravens can return after killing a person, and those who are convicted of drug use etc can return to play, then the NFL must allow Vick to return. My guess is lawyers got involved and said “past practices” show you have allowed others to return therefore Vick must be given the opportunity to return to football. Heck I could potentially lose my teaching certificate and never be allowed to teach again if I did any of these things and I surely do not make what he does!
If I thought that Michael Vick understood that what he did was wrong, and *why* it was wrong, I would be okay with him returning to NFL. Instead, I see a man who “served his time” for doing something illegal. There’s a big difference there – I don’t think he cares that he caused and financed tremendous agony and brutality towards living beings, only that he got caught and convicted of a crime. There is no excuse or justification for the kind of person that does that – “just following orders” has never been a valid defense, and he can’t even claim that when he was the one GIVING the orders. I am sick and tired of people who make excuses for pathetic examples of human beings – this is no different than the stupid little tweenies blaming Rihanna when Chris Brown beat the living daylights out of her.
If I saw true contrition – a PSA where he took full responsibility and exposed all the brutality and viciousness of dogfighting, then I would be okay with him. Not happy, but okay. People happily live insulated from facts, and it’s easy to downplay the dogfighting, but if you actually SEE the dogs ripping each other to shreds, and the “owners” beating them and strangling them, then you can’t say, yeah, it’s bad, but… He has an amazing opportunity to make a difference, but I don’t think he’s man enough to do it.
Ok here’s the deal.
Most job applications ask whether or not you’ve been convicted of a crime aside from minor traffic violations. I hold a low life government contract position where I answer the phone and make copies. Had I been convicted of a DUI, dogfighting ring any crime above minor traffic violation I’m 99.9% sure they’d find someone to replace me. Michael Vick’s role in the NFL has far more of an influence on society and kids out there than my current job.
I understand the logic that Michael Vick served his time and should be given “a second chance”; however, any other released convict would most likely face the repurcussions of their crimes for the rest of their life and Michael Vick should be treated no differently. Any one out there who does an illegal act, regardless or whether or not they are caught, knows that they could get caught and this could haunt them for the rest of their lives. That is the chance they take. Vick knew exactly what he was doing and unless he’s a moron should have known there was a pretty good chance this was going to come back and kick him in the ass.
I feel the same about Ray Lewis, Dante Stalworth, etc. and I don’t agree that they should have been allowed to continue to play; and, that is a major problem with the NFL and professional sports today. This is not a problem with just Michael Vick’s reinstatement.
Hundreds if not thousands of college and high school hopefuls dedicate their lives trying to achieve what Michael Vick, Lewis and Stalworth have/has done and could probably achieve the same status if given the chance. Instead the NFL wants to waste their time with the likes of Michael Vick
And lets face it, Vick has been out of commission for what? just about two years. He may come back and do nothing with his career. Vick is not even a sure thing anymore and they’d rather take their chances with a convicted felon over someone who could actually be a positive influence on society.
Vick should be given the same chance as any other convicted felon recently released and have to face rigorous interviews, fully understand his consequences and start taking orders at Burger King.
I do believe in forgiveness and that people can move past things they have done in their past… lest’s face it we’ve all done something we wish we didn’t do. BUT, there are social and ethical standards coming into play. A doctor can loose his license for malpractice; even non medical related activity. Same with lawyers, nurses and any other profession where you must hold a license. All these people can lose their license for things outside of their direct job. Just like we tell 5 year olds, there are consequences for your actions. A person who commits a sex crime must pay the price and may become ineligible for many jobs due to this. The sex crime was not diretly related to a specific job but the crime was committed. Sports stars should not get special treatment. Sports stars need to be positive role models, not modeling behavior that you might get punished for something but in the end you ca go back to whatever you were doing before.
Hm, this is a hard one.
Right now, I’d say he should work his way back up.
I think he should start from scratch and go back to try-outs and what not.
I think that the other teams will take care of him and he will not be able to play for long!!!
Based on a role model standpoint, why should be be put back into the limelight. There are plenty of other people to take his place who have a respect and regard for society’s rules. His second chance is that he is getting out of prison and can turn his life around and give back to society. It’s not an automatic golden ticket back into the NFL. What sort of role model is he? Or Donte Stallworth for that matter? If you choose to be a professional athlete that takes hard work and dedication but with that there should be some ethical and moral highground employed. It is called accountability and responsiblity. It is getting tiring to see these so called “role-models” who rape women, beat their wives and cavalierly disregard society’s rules and then are brought back into the limelight as though all should be forgiven. A regular person would have to find another avenue of business. Tell me that if Bernie Madoff was getting out of prison he would be invited back to running hedge funds? Someone like Tim Tebow should be an example of what the NFL needs, someone who has a good character and talent to spare. There are plenty of people to take Michael Vick’s place who are not felon, I would start calling them.
I think that he did his time and he should be allowed to play and what about all the stars that are hooked on drugs and getting put in and out of the hospitals should are kids still be able to think that they are greatest? Michael Jackson was a drug addict and that killed him but you still think that he is the greatest of all times think about it you make no sense I guess you think that drugs are ok
okay I agree we should foregive however with that said there are plenty of people who have severed for a less serious felony and did not get their previous jobs handed to back them after they were released . He should be treated no different and have to bust his butt like everyone else and find a job.
It’s not like Vick didn’t know that what he was doing was wrong. Anyone who can do that to poor helpless animals is disgusting! And the fact that he didn’t do it for the money, just for fun and games, makes it even worse. His punishment was nothing compared to what those dogs went through. Vick should not be allowed to go back to his privileged lifestyle. He wants to act like an ignorant piece of trash, that’s how he should be treated. His behavior and way of thinking cannot be changed by a little time in prison… he will always be a scumbag!
Vick should be allowed back in the NFL. He served his time and is now a free man. What happened to forgiveness?!? If the NFL says he can play then he can play. If I hit a dog with my car my employer is not going to fire me for it. They have Ray Lewis in the NFL still and he killed a man! Don’t try to deny it and blame your entourage Ray!!! Let Vick go to the Raiders, we could use a good quarterback!
I can’t believe that you guys say something saying that animals are pretty much like lesser beings to us, then RIGHT AFTER play a band fronted by two vegetarians and adamant PETA supporters. I mean, we come from chimpanzees. And if you go up to a lion with no manmade tools, I’d like to see who wins. It’s those manmade things that’s corrupting our society and making humans have the constant need for power and a higher position than others, and I really haven’t heard any argument pro-meat that doesn’t also mean you’d be able to eat a weaker, or stupider human being. . . but I digress.
By uncle, before he died, bred pitbulls, and I met some people later who bought a dog from him and thought it was the best dog they’ve ever bought. I mentioned his name to some other breeders in the area, and they’ve told me that his dogs were extremely popular and very well-bred; but he had, sadly, participated in dog fighting.
I mean, he loved them, and I don’t know how he thinks it was okay to do it, but he did. So it’s really personal to be on a higher level. I’ve seen this thing and it’s scarred me for life, and if it wasn’t for that, I probably wouldn’t care half as much about animals as I do today, or at least never researched it and never saw the things that’d make me turn vegan.
Now, the NFL is an organization, as we all know. That means that they need to make sure their players are accountable, and need that credibility that they’ll lose if a team takes on Vick. But again, it’s an organization, meaning that their main focus is winning, not anything about their personal lives.
I really do believe Vick should’ve gotten a harder sentence than he did, but the law obviously thought this was good enough. People can change, sure, and definitely a crucial part of living is forgiving others. I think he needs to prove that he’s changed before anyone would really be okay with that.
I mean, I know people who’ve been wrongly sentenced for things that were completely unfair. As high school was ending, I knew someone who sent almost-naked pictures to a friend’s cell phone, and someone else had the phone while the pictures came, and forwarded it. The guy who forwarded it nor the girl who sent the pictures got punished, but this guy that didn’t do anything (he was a close friend, had a steady girlfriend, and I knew would never care for those pictures) had to pay the price and ultimately register as a sex offender. He’s gonna have to life with that forever, and I’m sure Vick’s gonna get enough backlash from others and hate to last the rest of his life. I think he needs to prove himself first, and if he can’t do that in time before his “prime” is over, then that shows that he shouldn’t be back. And he is reinstated conditionally; he’ll have to deal with this, losing his dream, having maybe only a failing team take him on, if that, and even then, he won’t be able to carry everybody, and te fans will never completely accept him. He’ll definitely feel it for the rest of his life, so people need to realize that. If he wants to try, he should go ahead and try. People with much more knowledge and experience with this mattter have forgiven him, and as long as the rest of his life he’s on a good track, then let him be back in the NFL.
I haven’t listened in the last ten minutes, so I’m gonna go do that. But you guys really should have a way to text in your replies.
I’m know a lot of people don’t agree but he should not have been reinstated. I guess they are only being fair since they let the others back in, but none of them should be back. Plus what Vick did was disgusting and he didn’t just do it once he was doing it for awhile. Plus he abused dogs which cannot defend themselves and are helpless next to big abusive people. If he would have abused children would you all still agree that he should still be playing?? Dogs have feelings too! They feel pain and suffer the affects of abuse the same as people. I believe in forgiveness but why on earth would we put people that have made such huge mistakes back up on pedestals and make heroes out of them? It really disturbs me !
It is not a question about forgiveness. Many people do not understand that having a job as a professional athlete is an honor and should be held up to high standards. There are not many who make it to be a great athlete like M. Vick. These athletes are examples for our children to look up to. This would give our children the wrong message that it is okay to commit a crime and serve your time and then you can have your job back. No problem right? I don’t think so. He should never be allowed to play pro-football again. M. Vick had a choice and he chose to do something that landed him in jail. He threw his career away all by himself. He should not get a second chance at a great career when he had it in his hands and chose to throw it away. Maybe if he was not allowed to play football this might be an example for all athletes to think before you choose to do something illegal.
He should not be aloud back to the NFL he has a record. He should be treated like everybody else that has a jail record.
Say you are a teacher they wouldn’t let you teach ever again. Kids all over the world looked up to M.Vick. Now they will think they too could commit a crime and get their job back. That would put our children in the slammer, if they chose to act like him. He should not get a second chance at football ever again.