Pet villain Michael Vick signed to play ball again: First Georgia dogs now Philadelphia Eagles?

Pet rescue: Dog Fighting is unexcusable in the 21st century

"Why, oh why?" the Eagles fans cry. "How can we root for a team that would sign the worst celebrity scandal "caught in the act" criminal in recent animal abuse history" -- dog killer Michael Vick, former player for the Atlanta Falcons? Here's the NFL sports recruiting news from Enterntainment Examiner Michael Essany, confirming the employment contract monetary figuress and an opportunity to collect some public comment responses from people living in the suburban neighborhoods of Philadelphia, former fans of the quarterback when he played in ATL, people who work to rescue abused pets, and other animal rights groups who have a thing or two to say about whether or not someone who can play ball should be allowed back to the NFL to become a next generation sports hero or role model. Here's more about the story and how the folks in our personal household feel about it.

RUMOR CONFIRMED: MICHAEL VICK SIGNED TO PLAY FOOTBALL FOR PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Here's the report from Arts & Entertainment writer Michael Essany:

It's official.

Michael Vick is back in the NFL.

Joel Segal, Michael Vick's agent, confirmed the quarterback's signing.

The Eagles gave reportedly given Vick a one-year deal worth an estimated $1.6 million. The Eagles have an option for a second year at $5.2 million.

Obviously, the first thought that comes to mind is, "Wasn't there anyone else in the world out there that can play football?" with the second thought immediately following being, "I can't ever imagine that a team would care that much about winning than to hire that guy (and risk endorsing such a controversial person).

We can't decide which is the worse celebrity oops here -- the celebrity oops moment when he got caught or the bigger celebrity OOPS mistake he made that he actually was willing to participate in training and fighting dogs for pit.

Read more about the general story and the public reaction in Essany's column.

THE SAD CULTURAL HISTORY OF MICHAEL VIC (AND WHY IT DOES NOT EXCUSE ANYTHING HE DID)

Is dog fighting really OKAY to endorse if you use the excuse you were raised poor and came from the Southern state of Georgia?

USA Today brings a conversation about the star and the decisions for the Eagles to hire him to the Internet discussion rountable in an article in their Paw Print Post section:

The former Atlanta Falcons quarterback was convicted two years ago this month of conspiracy and running a dogfighting operation and sentenced to 23 months in federal prison. He was released in May and can begin playing with the Eagles in the preseason.

Vick told 60 Minutes he should have done something to stop the dogfighting. The interview airs Sunday. Thursday, Ed Sayres, president and CEO of The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said "the ASPCA expects Vick to express remorse for his actions, as well as display more compassion and sound judgment this time around.''

Vick's primary excuse is that the dog fighting was part of the everyday culture he was raised in; obviously, in the 21st century the excuse of being raised in poverty in America does not excuse the serious abuse of the animals.

As an owner of a rescue dog that was previously fought and abused, I can personally speak to the Michael Vick situation. Married to a former Atlanta resident and Falcon's fan who worked with a lot of the players off the field providing them with luxury cars and exotic automobiles, we watched the whole criminal animal abuse charges develop with rapt attention -- and this is all this family can say...

Dude -- you might have a second chance and new income, and we may be rooting for quite a few teams due to residing in the Mid-Atlantic region and  knowing a great number of the local sports legends, but we'll never watch you play a game again.

 

HISTORY OF THE DOG FIGHTING COURT CASE OF MICHAEL VICK (WHERE, WHEN, DOG KENNELS OWNED)

Proper role model--or real team player? Yes or no. You get to decide in the comment section below. Here's the timeline of the Michael Vick case, prepared by the Canadian Associated Press:

A look at the dogfighting case against Michael Vick:

Early 2001 - Vick, Quanis Phillips and Tony Taylor decide to start an illegal dogfighting operation. Later that year, Purnell Peace joins the venture.

June 29, 2002 - Vick pays about US$34,000 for property in Surry County, Va.

2002-07 - Vick and his co-defendants establish "Bad Newz Kennels," host dogfights and participate in fights in other states.

April 25, 2007 - Police raid Vick's Virginia property and find several neglected pit bulls and evidence of dogfighting.

June 7, 2007 - Federal investigators raid Vick's property.

July 17, 2007 - Vick, Peace, Phillips and Taylor are charged by a federal grand jury in Richmond, Va., with conspiring to engage in competitive dogfighting, procuring and training pit bulls for fighting, and conducting the enterprise across state lines.

July 26, 2007 - Vick and his co-defendants plead not guilty to the charges.

July 30, 2007 - Taylor changes his plea to guilty and agrees to co-operate with the prosecution of Vick and the other two men.

Aug. 17, 2007 - Peace and Phillips plead guilty and implicate Vick in bankrolling gambling on dogfights. One says the quarterback helped drown or hang dogs that didn't do well.

Aug. 23, 2007 - Vick signs plea agreement and statement of facts admitting to conspiracy in a dogfighting ring and helping kill pit bulls. He denies betting on the fights, only bankrolling them.

Aug. 24, 2007 - NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suspends Vick indefinitely without pay from the NFL.

Aug. 27, 2007 - Vick pleads guilty to dogfighting conspiracy before U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson. At a news conference, Vick apologizes for "using bad judgment and making bad decisions. I offer my deepest apologies to everyone. And I will redeem myself. I have to."

Nov. 20, 2007 - Vick surrenders to U.S. marshals and begins serving his sentence in a Virginia jail three weeks before his official sentencing.

Dec. 10, 2007 - Vick is sentenced to 23 months in federal prison.

Jan. 7, 2008 - Vick leaves Virginia to enter a drug treatment program at a Leavenworth, Kan., minimum security facility.

July 8, 2008 - Vick files for bankruptcy protection.

Nov. 25, 2008 - Vick appears in a Virginia courtroom to plead guilty to a state dogfighting charge and receives a three-year suspended sentence.

April 3, 2009 - Vick testifies in federal bankruptcy court that he has become a changed man and will do all the right things upon his release from prison, including repaying his creditors by resuming his professional football career.

April 21, 2009 - Goodell says Vick will have to show genuine remorse to get a chance at resuming his career in the NFL.

May 20, 2009 - Vick is released from the Leavenworth, Kan., prison to begin two months of home confinement at his Hampton, Va., home.

July 20, 2009 - Vick is released from federal custody.

July 27, 2009 - Vick is conditionally reinstated by Goodell.

Aug. 13, 2009 - Vick signs a two-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. He can take part in pre-season practices, workouts, meetings and the final two pre-season games. Vick can apply for full reinstatement by Week 6 in October.

 

What's YOUR thoughts: Do you think the Eagles should have signed Michael Vick to play for them? Should he even be out of prison? Is winning worth hiring the most cruel personalities in the business -- or should the all-American game of football be able to pride itself on hiring role model atheletes to play for them (and substitute good character and heart for the win)? How will Michael Vick's signing affect Eagles team spirit [meaning for the players who will be expected to work with and socialize with him and have their professional images tied with his]?