Should Michael Vick Get a Second Chance in the NFL?

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VICK SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN GIVEN A SECOND CHANCE IN THE NFL DUE TO THE FACT THAT HE IS LOOKED AT AS A ROLE MODEL BY MANY YOUNG AMERICANS.HOWEVER, HIS TRUE SELF CAME OUT DURING THE INVESTIGATIONS AND TRIAL OF THE CRIMES HE WAS INVOLVED IN. VICK EVEN LIED TO THE AUTHORITIES AFTER HE BROKE THE LAW IN HOPES OF GETTING OFF SCOTT FREE. THAT SHOWED ME THE MAN HAS NO CHARACTER AND THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WE CONTINUE TO LET BE ROLE MODELS FOR THE NEW GENERATIONS.

D.STONE of FL 4:33PM August 19, 2009

Vick has lost his reputation, most of his money and other assets, and has spent a considerable amount of time in prison. As far as I am concerned, his punishment was adequate for the crime. I think he should be allowed to get on with his life, and if that means he can play football, then so be it.

Tom of CA 3:50PM August 19, 2009

Please, will the media start giving more attention to the third most surrendered pets to the animal shelters? No offense to kitties and doggies, but they tend to always get most of the media attention.
This case involved two bunnies. Yes, those adorable little critters that hop cute, twitch their little noses at you, and (many do not know this) are also litter box trainable, just like cats (they make great pets, even though they require different levels of supervision and care than with cats).
http://www.ohio.com/news/break_news/53494117.html
The bunny-drowning woman, who worked at Petland, was arraigned today and pleaded not guilty. No doubt her lawyer is going to portray her as some victim of the pet store "culture," or whatever excuse might stick. It's no excuse, though, to smile as you are holding up two drowned rabbits to have your picture taken, and to then put that picture on your Facebook page.
Please give this case attention, too.
For adoption of pet bunnies, please go to this organization, as they do phenomenal work in rescue and education: http://www.rabbit.org

Angie Koutrotsios of IL 9:04PM August 17, 2009

Michael Vick did wrong and I think he paid for his crime. I love animals as well as the next person. I owned dogs all of my life, however, we do not give this man a chance to earn a living then he could very well be doing something else as a career that we may not agree with. I think every person deserves to given a second chance.
Let's hope that he will take this opportunity to do what is right. This is a chance for him to teach our children right from wrong. We all are role models for all children in this country, and we should all be doing what is right to teach them right from wrong. Even if we do not think of ourselves as a role model. This is chance to teach our children this is wrong and he had to pay for his wrong. And we need to let they know that everyone deserves as second chance.
Hopefully Vick help educate about the inhumane treatment of animals. And we need treat people the way we want to be treated.

Yolanda of GA 7:33PM August 17, 2009

I doubt that Vick has really changed. He had a great chance and blew it.
The average Joe who blows his big chance pays for the rest of his life - Vick should, too. If he can find a dead-end, minimum wage job, that will be more than he deserves.

John of TX 6:58PM August 17, 2009

It seems to me that in America, only some people get second chances. Of course, everyone who needs a second chance WANTS a second chance, but collective mainstream America only wants to grant second chances to only some people.
For those who state that NFL players are role models, they certainly are, whether they want to be or not. But none of us should ever forget that the NFL is a business, and its goal is to improve its bottom line. That means the NFL and its teams will put up with players and all the things they get themselves into. If you don't want to support the NFL, don't give your money to them. And, I might add, that Michael Vick is just one of several players who have been "in trouble," to put it lightly. If other players who have done worse things can his crimes can get second chances, then why not him? I think he has the capacity to change his behavior.
Americans love animals more than they love humans, and it's due in part to the desensitization we all have toward human-human violence. If a man beats up someone, even if that person was defenseless, some of you probably wouldn't bat an eye. But hurt an animal and you and others might call for his head. Does that make any sense?
Animals in the U.S. are mistreated every day in homes and on farms large and small. As humans, we need to be better stewards of our environment and the species in it. I highly doubt that any of the people rallying against Vick are true animal activists urging for better treatment of defenseless animals - they're Vick haters who detest whatever they think he stands for. We need to separate out the animal supporters from the Vick haters to make sense of this issue.
And for those out there who want Vick under a jail for abusing animals, get off the computer right now and go save an animal, and save a human while you're at it. Your energy can be spent in better ways.

Chan B. of VA 4:01PM August 17, 2009

I believe that NFL players are role-models to young children and therefore, his privelege of playing pro-football should be revoked. As another poster stated, this would serve to teach our youth that crime is not rewarded with a slap on the wrist.
Even if it was part of his growing up years and a normal part of life where he grew up, Vick knew it was wrong, and he knew it was illegal. He did not even need the money!! While I was growing up, it was "normal" for parents to take a belt to their kids when they did something wrong. Does that mean I would be exonerated if I did this to my children? I would be prosecuted and I would likely not be allowed to work with children in any capacity as this is child abuse. And, rightly so in my opinion.
I do believe in second chances for people who have felonies. He should be allowed to rebuild his life and find employment but NOT in the NFL. This part of his life should be over as he did not act as a role model. Letting him play again is akin to saying that cruelty to animals is ok if you do the time in jail.
Another poster suggested he should donate 10% of his earnings to animal rights organizations for ten years. If he is allowed to play again, this should be mandatory! At least it sends some type of message to the kids.
"Michael Jackson molested kids did no time in jail and 90 percent of america turn the other cheek." wrote another poster who thinks Vick should be allowed to play. At no time was this allegation ever proven in a court of law. As a matter of fact, one of the children he supposedly molested has now come out and said it did not happen but he was told by his father he should say that it did for the money!! Mr. Jackson was an easy target for this type of allegation as he was rich and was child-like and chose to "hang out" with kids instead of adults. Until someone comes out with definitive proof of molestation on Jackson's part (which no one ever has by the way) he is innocent in my book despite all of the alleged incidents.
In closing, Michael Vick should be forgiven and allowed to rebuild his life but not as a football player. He blew that when he buried those poor helpless dogs on his property knowing full well what he did was illegal, irresponsible and immoral.

Joyce of CT 3:09PM August 17, 2009

He blamed a 'culture' in which it was 'normal' to bait dogs and cull the losers.
If that makes for a great football player who deserves a second chance we are living in the wrong society where hyphenated Americans can claim special exemption for what are criminal acts unacceptable in a democracy.
Is there a football commissioner?

Morton Kurzweil of FL 3:01PM August 17, 2009

YES HE SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO PLAY. HE WENT TO JAIL, HE DID HIS TIME UNLIKE MANY "FAMOUS" SPORTS AND MOVIE STARS. ANOTHER FOOTBALL PLAYER ACTUALLY KILLED SOMEONE WITH HIS AUTO AND IS HE DOING TIME? Oh and the one who killed his wife and her friend'

KAT OF FL of FL 2:19PM August 17, 2009