Vick: Most Valuable Player or Most Vicious Person?

Some say convicted dog killer Michael Vick has paid his dues (a whopping 21 months at Leavenworth), while others are appalled he was allowed back in the NFL. Does his being a great football player mean we turn a blind eye to his despicable crimes against man’s best friend?

I’ve tried to give myself some cool-off time before writing this article, but I haven’t seemed to have cooled off any. In fact, the more I hear about Michael Vick’s football superstardom, the more chagrined I feel. I guess that’s because my love for animals has not and will not ever wane to the point of forgiving torture and murder of the most lovable creatures on Earth: dogs.

Michael Vick reportedly murdered dogs by body slamming them, hanging them, holding their heads under water until their little bodies succumbed to drowning, and—sadistically—electrocuting them as well. I can’t help but wonder what these poor friends of man thought as they were being viciously, mercilessly killed after being starved (to make them meaner and hungry for the fight), and then forced to fight to the death. Those same hands that are carrying the pigskin to glory tortured and killed our friends, our best friends.

Some people say there is no such thing as rehabilitation for this kind of character, any more than you could rehabilitate a serial killer! Of course, Vick is going to speak to animal rights groups (I’m sorry, but I think they should have told him to go to hell.); of course he is going to say he’s learned his lesson. (Isn’t that what children say to placate their parents after being caught doing something wrong?) But, when has he broken into tears, gotten on his knees and cried, not for himself, for the pain and suffering he caused these animals? He’s sorry because he got caught. It’s damage control from here on, which are keeping his publicists busy and well-paid.

As for Vick being ordered to donate to the SPCA, some say they should tell him to take his bloody money and, well, punt it. The SPCA is supported by animal lovers who donate out of their love for animals and concern for their welfare, not because they are being punished. If philanthropy is punishment, it further obviates the legal system went down the wrong path with this case.

On November 16th, LA Times columnist Bill Plaschke writes, “While Michael Vick was running for glory, Mel [one of Vick’s dogs) was cowering toward a wall.” He also comments on how the dog doesn’t bark because the bark has been “beaten out of him.”

Once Bill’s article broke, he tweeted that he was getting five emails a minute. I wasted no time in joining the fray by tweeting Mr. Plaschke how comforting it was to see a writer—a sports writer of all people—standing up for our devoted friends. Dogs would do anything for their human friends, and they love us unconditionally. How could anyone intentionally hurt, much less starve, torture, exploit and kill these little guys?

Still, opinions run the gamut.

Animal Rights Examiner Dwight L. Schwab, Jr. points out that “In both Friday’s press conference and the 60 Minutes interview, his [Vick’s] answer to his conviction for cruelty to animals among other charges was ‘It was pointless.’” Pointless? I’m sorry but, how much LESS of a heart could a person have?

Conversely, Sports Examiner Dexter Rogers states in his November 16th publication ), Michael Vick is not only the best quarterback in the NFL, "he is the best football player in the league."

Ted Bundy would have made a good lawyer. No doubt; even the judge who sentenced him to death for his crimes acknowledged his talent for practicing law. Should he have been spared as well and sent on to practice, because he was talented? John Wayne Gacy was a talented painter. Should we have taken that into consideration even though they found 30 bodies under his house?

By far the most embarrassing publication I’ve seen to date on the topic was when Philadelphia Daily News published a cover page, naming Michael Vick “Top Dog.” For shame, for shame. The editor that let this go out should have a first-hand look at some of the photos of these animals killed by Vick. Drowned. Electrocuted. Hung. Slammed. Top Dog? Was that headline supposed to be clever? Funny? Look at some of these images. Still funny?

Upon release from prison, Vick began a 60 Minutes interview by saying it wasn’t until the door slammed shut that it hit home what he did. It didn’t “hit home” when he was beating and strangling dogs? Is that really what it took? This, my friends, means Vick felt bad for being caught and for no other reason.

Where are our priorities and sensitiveness toward our canine friends who love us completely? Dogs have historically been savers of men’s lives, faithful servants, and lovable pets. What gave this man the right to murder these dogs, and so cruelly? And why is he out running around on the field now, jumping up and down and throwing his hands up in the air to a cheering, blind-to-his-evil crowd? Is football really that important, and what other horrible crimes can this kind of money really buy off? Are we that enamored with football that we just don’t care? Maybe Bundy should have been a quarterback.

On November 15th, when Vick’s team, The Philadelphia Eagles played against The Washington Redskins, Vick scored four passing and two rushing touchdowns in one game!

I guess 50 million bucks speaks louder  than the cries of our tortured friends. Vick is now being touted as the MVP, and being praised on all the sports pages. MVP? Most Valuable Player or Most Vicious Person?

Should Michael Vick Receive Forgiveness?

There are obviously a great deal of dog lovers who say, “Hell, no!”, while it seems just as many football fanatics seem to think he is too good of a player to “go to waste” in prison.

I hope none of these fans are dog owners.