How Welcome Should We Make Michael Vick?

@irisheyes (4370)
United States
August 14, 2009 3:59pm CST
Michael Vick is out of jail, allegedly rehabilitated and has just signed up with the Philadelphia Eagles. He's coming to my area! Like most people here in the Philly environs, I'm a huge animal lover. Admittedly I'm not much of an Eagles fan although I would like to see them win for a change. For many who are rabid Eagles fans and animal lovers, Vick presents a dilemna. This is an area known for animal activists like Bill Smith and our idea of a sports hero is Chase Utley who,along with his wife, has raised thousands for animal rights causes. Now, we get Vick dumped on us! I'd be a liar if I said I was thrilled. He says he's rehabilitated: I say prove it. I'll be watching for that proof along with thousands of the other animal lovers in the area. How would you feel about having this guy on a team in your area?
2 people like this
2 responses
@AmbiePam (92476)
• United States
16 Aug 09
I'll be truthful. I wouldn't want him on my favorite football team. But I do think he should get a second chance (I realize that sounds hypocritical). It still makes me sick to think about what he did. I can't even type about it in this post because the thoughts make me ill. Sometimes I wonder if people who do such cruel things can change. But I believe they can. The conditions in which he was accepted back are very wise in my opinion. And he knows if he messed up there will be no third chance. I'm very happy to know one of the requirements for Vick is to be mentored by Tony Dungy. Dungy visited him in jail often, and I'm glad that he is to continue the relationship.
1 person likes this
@irisheyes (4370)
• United States
17 Aug 09
I guess I'm hypocritical too. My feeling is he probably should get a second chance but just not here. Maybe the first poster was right, he seems to have landed in the area where he will be watched closest and there will be a huge outcry if he reverts.
1 person likes this
@olydove (1209)
• United States
15 Aug 09
Here's what I think, I think that the good lord works his magic. I believe everything truly does happen for a reason and here's my theory. Michael Vick committed terrible acts in allowing those dog fights to happen. Your area is known to be active for animal rights so, I'd almost bet this is the lords way of helping keep him rehabilitated. I'm sure he will receive a great deal of flack for his actions from people in your area, and many like you won't believe he is truly rehabilitated until he proves it so I can imagine he's got a great deal of stress coming his way which in turn will either make him run, or keep his actions in check. I also believe that almost everyone deserves a second chance so I think you should welcome him, yet be cautious at the same time. My personal thoughts, I was watching one of his interviews on TV last night and he was saying how he now realizes that what he did was wrong, that he should not have allowed it to happen, and should have tried to do something to stop the dog fights, BUT while his words were good, he didn't have the look or actions or tone of a sincerely sorry person. Only time will tell whether he is truly rehabilitated or whether he just becomes very good at hiding his actions.
@irisheyes (4370)
• United States
17 Aug 09
A "wait and see" attitude seems to be the best way of dealing with this and you're right, it really has stirred up feelings around here. A lot of folks will be watching him.