Michael Vick being allowed to play football. Good or Bad

I don't like what the guy did, not at all.  But there are lots worse things he could have done, worse things that other professional athletes have done, and they're still playing.  He (theoretically, anyway) paid his debt, I see no reason he shouldn't be allowed to go back into his chosen profession.  If any of my kids gave a rats rear about professional football (or any other sport), I'd consider it my duty as a parent to point out to them that despite his prowess on the football field, this guy is not someone whose life should be emulated.  There are people in the business we're in that have enviable skills in selecting and or fitting cattle, but I certainly wouldn't encourage my kids to follow their path in life.  Fortunately though, there are plenty that are good role models, too.  Not to say that there are no good people in professional sports (meaning football, basketball, baseball, etc...), but for the most part I think they're grossly overpaid to participate in recreational activities that are grossly overpriced for our (well, somebody's) entertainment... JMHO

really I think the only reason that the media runs with this is because of the dogs.  In Korea and other asian countries they eat dog.  Just like horses, another pet.

He served his time so let him have his chance. I personally think the Falcons are a better team without him. He was an exciting player but I always thought he ran too much and passed too little. The Falcons led the league in rushing but once the rushing attack was shut down it was over. Balance, balance, balance - run to set up the pass and pass to set up the run.

It is also time for the ban on Pete Rose to be lifted. It is 20 years since he received a lifetime ban in baseball, and he should now be cleared. He should also be eligible for entry into the Hall of Fame, as I think he is the greatest hitter in all time ( at least my time!) If he had murdered someone he would probably be out on parole by now. It was never proven that he ever bet on his team while playing baseball, and it was also proven that he only bet on his team to win while he was managing. What he did was wrong, but he is being crucified for sins no worse than many others have done. Is what he did worse than using performance enhancing drugs, or lying before the Senate, etc etc. I think not!  20 years is long enough and he deserves a place in history.

In regards to Vick, he also deserves to prove that he has cleaned up. If he had been any other profession and was convicted of the same crimes, he would be allowed to pursue the same vocation when he finished his time. Football should be treated the same.

I was never a fan of Michael Vick.  I always thought he was overrated as a quarterback.  That said, he was convicted, sentenced, and served his time.  I never saw him on TV crying about the sentence.  I earned more respect for Vick taking responsibility, humbling himself, and quietly serving his sentence than I ever did for his actions on the field.  The sentence Roger Goodell handed down pretty much sidelines him for this season as well.  Goodell's suspension makes it a hard fit to sign a guy, who in all actuality is a starter, and have him sit the bench for probably the first six games of the season.

Athletes are role models like it or not.  They are just like everyone else, some are good, hard-working people and some are thugs.  Money doesn't turn a street punk into an acceptable "role model." In fact, it probably has the opposite effect.  As I mentioned earlier, I was never a fan of Vick.  I in no way condone his actions.  He was, however, convicted and served his time.  He deserves, as do each of us, the chance to earn a living any way he chooses as long as it is legal.

Knabe was right on with his comment about who we should choose as role models.  You nailed it dead center.

mohammad ali....kicked  him out the country, then give him the Olympic torch to carry in the opening ceremony.... ???

JbarL said:

mohammad ali....kicked  him out the country, then give him the Olympic torch to carry in the opening ceremony.... ???

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ali made mouthing off to people popular.  not a good role model.  called frazier a gorilla.  not an ali fan.  typical liberal hero.  the people who "kicked" him out of the country were not the same who idolized ali, the bigot and womanizer.  ali truly was a polygamist, validated by the very same organization who told him he had no quarrel with the Vietnamese. 

justintime said:

It is also time for the ban on Pete Rose to be lifted. It is 20 years since he received a lifetime ban in baseball, and he should now be cleared. He should also be eligible for entry into the Hall of Fame, as I think he is the greatest hitter in all time ( at least my time!) If he had murdered someone he would probably be out on parole by now. It was never proven that he ever bet on his team while playing baseball, and it was also proven that he only bet on his team to win while he was managing. What he did was wrong, but he is being crucified for sins no worse than many others have done. Is what he did worse than using performance enhancing drugs, or lying before the Senate, etc etc. I think not!  20 years is long enough and he deserves a place in history.

In regards to Vick, he also deserves to prove that he has cleaned up. If he had been any other profession and was convicted of the same crimes, he would be allowed to pursue the same vocation when he finished his time. Football should be treated the same.

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100% agree on Pete Rose, think how much better people would perform if they were betting on themselves, wouldn't you love to know your cardiologist was betting on you making through a heart operation (clapping) I know rules are rules, but I never have really understood why he was banned in the first place.

I am a pet owner so I Do Not condone what he did!  However,  I believe everyone regardless of race deserves a second Chance!  Let him play,  he screwed up!  Tony Dungy as a Mentor is a great situation for him to have a chance to redeam!

The thing that really bothers me about the whole situation is IMO the power his case has given to PETA!  They have been talked about at least once a  week on ESPN the last couple years!  They had a report on ESPN today about whether or not he would be picked up by any team!  With his ability there is no doubt he should be obtained by some team!  The comment was made that several teams were interested but scared of the backlash by PETA!  This scares the @#$% out of me!  What's next?

Tony

I should learn to proof read everything twice when I write it after midnight !! What I meant to say about Pete Rose was that it was proven that he bet on his team, however it was also proven that he always bet on his team to win. If he had been betting that his team was going to lose, then there would be much more to debate. If Pete Rose is not reinstated, I think this will be the worst travesty in modern sporting history.... especially when you consider what some of the other flaky players have got away with. This man deserves his place in history.

justintime said:

If Pete Rose is not reinstated, I think this will be the worst travesty in modern sporting history.... especially when you consider what some of the other flaky players have got away with. This man deserves his place in history.

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ditto....he raised the bar..jbarl