by Tariq al Haydar
It goes without saying that dog-fighting is a crime. Michael Vick was guilty of it.
Now, he's nearing the end of his prison sentence. But there is still a stigma attached to him.
I recognize the crime, but I don't like the stigma. After all, NFL players have been involved in setting up cocaine deals, entangled in murder cases, just to name two greater transgressions... but no player I can remember has ever had as much stigma attached to him as Michael Vick.
Roger Goodell recently stated that "I think it's clear he's paid a price, but to a large extent he's going to have to demonstrate to the larger community -- not just to the NFL community and to me -- that he has remorse for what he did and that he recognizes mistakes that he made."
To me, it seems like Goodell is just scared of negative PR. I mean, he admits that the man paid a price. And I thought Vick DID exhibit remorse during that press conference he gave before he went to prison. So I guess what I'm saying is this: Let the man earn a living again and stop demonizing him. I believe he should be given a clean slate. If he screws up again, then by all means, punish him. But don't make it even more humiliating for a man to get on with his life. Don't obliterate every iota of the man's dignity because you're worried about your image. The right thing to do is this: Reinstate Michael Vick and give him a chance to redeem himself.
Welcome
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Cheryl
Cheryl will offer “A Sistah’s Point of View” (ASPOV) to this madness, because as you will read over the next few months, it will be needed. I see connections, like Haley Joel Osment sees dead people. Connections between modern sports, culture, politics, race and racialization, art and dance, religion and myth. I will try to point these out without being too esoteric or dogmatic (but if I am, sue me). But what you can always expect is that I will be open, honest, and often catty. (That was an awfully un-feminist thing to say, huh?)”
Eboy
White Hot Eboy, or just plain E, is a polarizing figure. On the SLAM site, the place of his e-origin, Eboy seems to move between love for his regular foils to sheer unbridled hate for his detractors. Here in this blogventure, look for Eboy to speak on basketball in all forms, movies, tv, politics, sports in general and anything else that he can throw his opinion at. Besides, he's legally obligated to be truthful and forthright, so stay ready, an E-storm is brewing.
TADOne
TADOne, or just plain TAD, is quite possibly the most sane member of this blog group, although, that is not saying much. My sarcasm, or just plain lack of empathy, has been known to reach epic levels of true disdain. Because of this, I have a love of binge drinking and mindless humor. Therapy is good.
Tariq
I am a sensitive, delicate soul. I use sarcasm and cynicism as self-defense mechanisms, douchebag. I do this to protect my faberge-egg-like psyche. If only I could increase my self-confidence, maybe then I could achieve a moment of sincerity. But I can't. So instead I have to be content with writing sublime pieces which delve into the realms of basketball, football (American), football (real), literature, religion, The Legend of Zelda and Reese's Pieces. I may even occassionally shed some insight into the complexities of the human condition. No promises, though.
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AR
You may (though most likely don't) know me as commenter H to the izzo from SLAMonline.I will no longer answer to that moniker-ever.I'm retiring only to return again,but this won't be no Linkin Park collaboration.My list of lifetime achievements include being the second most foreign member.The youngest member,the least educated member.I roughly rank as the 3rd most white member and am three time Vodka chugging champion in my district.I intend to prove that basketball opinion and having little else better to do are a dangerous mix.I am usually wrong and am possessed by the ghost of Charles Oakley's right fist.
21 comments:
Goodell is scared of PETA. Nothing more, nothing less.
word.
very well stated.
I don't know if the entire league should stop in it's tracks to accept him into the fold again just to give him a second chance. If he makes it and shows himself to not be the loser he was a couple of years ago....fine.....but to put this on Goodell is stupid.....just like Vick's actions of the past.
The whole thing was amazingly annoying at the time and I really wish it would die.
Of course he should be allowed back in,but he's still a tool.
And so is everyone else.
"Entangled in murder cases"
Being entangled is a bit different than being convicted of murder. If Tom Brady goes out and kills someone I'm pretty sure he'll have quite a stigma surrounding him.
And dealing cocaine is a worse crime than torturing animals? I certainly don't think so.
"Let the man earn a living." The guy can earn a living without being in the NFL. I don't think he should be allowed to play again.
I'm sure Vick has remorse for getting caught, but I don't know that he has remorse for his actions.
Jamal Lewis went to jail and came back. Ray Lewis had his whole ordeal. I know it's not football, but Michael Jackson got away with child molestation. Vick did what he did, but paid for it, and so far seems like he's changed. Give him another shot.
Caleb:
Of course being involved in a murder investigation is not the same as being CONVICTED of murder, but it's still something that could tarnish a player's reputation. My point is that even something as damaging as that can be overcome.
And I'm sure you can find a few people who think that dealing coke is a worse crime than dog-fighting.
Eboy:
I'm not saying the "entire league should stop in it's tracks". I'm just saying that people should get over it already. He went to jail for a couple of years. He lost all his money. People hate him. He's suffered enough. I don't like people acting all holier than thou when someone else screws up, like "Oh, he has to convince everyone that he;s remorseful." Screw that. After all he's been through, he doesn't owe anyone anything. And I've never been a Vick fan or anything, but I just hate the way certain celebrities are torn down just to make everyone else feel good.
"Don't judge a man by his mistakes. Judge him by how he handles them."
--Moose, 2009
Moose,kinda like when a mass murderer says sorry?
Well . . . more like I'm just saying, give the dude a second chance. But I totally hear what you're saying. And I have hated Vick's actions as well.
"He lost all his money." Complete fail........where did you dream up that sh*t, T? He's about as broke as Megan Fox is dog ugly. The only thing he suffered from was last income during his jailing/suspension. He's still richer than you and me 1000 times over.
Eboy:
He applied for bankruptcy. Look it up.
No shit.......but in this country, that just stops your debt from increasing and takes away ridiculous overspending tokens. Bankruptcy does NOT mean all your money is taken away.....you have a mislabeled misconception of the function of it.
Regardless, I also think he deserves a second chance in the NFL. Not sure he would have much left to offer after sitting out two years, though.
Eboy:
OK, my bad.
You pose a great point here. I don't remember who said it, but someone commented on this by saying that if Vick had killed a prostitute, it wouldn't have caused nearly the uproar that it did with the dog-fighting thing. How can we judge whether he's truly sorry or not if we never give him a chance? Sir Charles had a DUI, which could've killed someone, yet we (read: most of us) welcomed him back to TNT with open arms. Vick deserves a chance, despite being incredibly stupid in the past
@Moose: That quote deserves a medal. Good point
Thanks a lot, baconator!
tad's comment @11:24 and mine right now should get married. That is what i was thinking. Bastardly thought stealing Detroit people. LMAO @ yall for not being able to take our jobs though! (psst that last part was in extremely poor taste)
I don't think he deserves to be handed anything. He has a right to live and work in this country just like other convicted felons, but he isn't entitled to make the choice of who accepts him and who doesn't some people won't forgive him and some people will and he just has to accept the consequences of his actions whatever they may be.
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