Michael Vick: Media Victim
Sure, Michael Vick’s dog fighting wasn’t quite moral, humane, or even the least bit charming. But Vick’s case was handled unjustly due to the media backlash and public backing. Vick received two years in jail for orchestrating a dog fighting league. Donte Stallworth served 24 days in jail for a DUI manslaughter. In case you didn’t catch the wording, a “manslaughter” incorporates the murder of a human being. Judging by the amount of media and public outcry towards each case, Americans seem to value the lives of vicious pit bulls over the lives of innocent men walking home from work early in the morning.
Regardless, the public and media’s response to the allegations helped fuel the ultimate sentencing in each case. As a result, Vick served a 24 times larger sentence than Stallworth in addition to the opportunity cost foregone while spending time in jail. Vick’s reputation, money, and sharp football skills have all been thrown out the window, while he is currently left trying to salvage what’s left of his career and life.
Vick’s misfortune does not end here. The NFL decided to further punish Vick with a conditional suspension that would likely not let Vick resume playing football as of week 1. This is all said keeping in mind the fact that Vick will have trouble landing a spot on any team, altogether. There are rumors floating around that Vick is close to signing with different teams, but Vick may have to wait until training camp or early season injuries to have his number called.
Gabe Pinchev
I hear Vick is close to signing with a team. I think all the teams saying “no way” to Vick were sometimes a smokescrean to drive down his value and perception… we’ll see.
He’s a douchebag let alone a top QB. You are dead wrong on this one Gabe. It just wasnt the dogfighting! It was interstate gambling that put him away for 19 mnths, DUI Manslaughter is a State crime, what VicktheDick did was Federal!!! The reason he has not signed yet, is he is not a great QB his numbers are brutal to say the least!!!!
Scotty, I see what you’re saying, but just because one was a state vs federal crime, does not make the sentencing just. I never said he is a great quarterback and you’re right, he isn’t great and his numbers were pretty bad. However, with the wild-cat craze onset in the NFL, Vick could be the most dangerous weapon at that position. He wouldn’t be a great starting quarterback, but he has the legs and a good enough arm to be dangerous in the wild-cat.
Gabe I agree on the sentencing issue, I mean he did get off pretty light im my opinion as far as the interstate gamblimg charge and was very lucky he was not charged for animal cruelty in VA as I believe it carries a 40 yr sentence. Now I am not going to argue over murder and DUI manslaughter where guys get 2 yr sentences(which is wrong) but Vick has not been sqeeky clean since coming into the league. I believe his sentence was fair and justice was served. I also agree he could very well be one scary dude in a wild cat offence, lets just see what 2 yrs away from the game has done to his body. We all know Ali was not the same fighter after his 3 year ban, he just never got the quickness in his hands and feet back. Time will tell!!!
As I like to say as well, only time will tell.
I work with these dogs and as far as animal behavior goes, I am a strong believer in nurture and exercising. I have met Jack Russell Terriers that I would not go near again, but have in no way had a poor encounter with an American Staffordshire Terrier. If you are speaking about their owners- well, which is a distinct story. Humans are animals as well, and we tend to each have our individual strategies about “moral concepts”.