Michael Vick - The Most Hated Sports Figure Ever?

This past Thursday the Philadelphia Eagles shocked the football world by signing the much maligned quarterback Michael Vick to a one year contract (with an option for a second year). The move came as a surprise for a couple of reasons:

1. The Eagles already have a couple of very good QB's in Donovan McNabb and Kevin Kolb.


2. Whoever picked up Vick was going to be heavily criticized for allowing this monster a spot on their NFL roster. If he had signed with the Raiders - it wouldn't have surprised me. But the Eagles?? Didn't see that coming. Especially considering point #1.

For those of you who have been living under a rock for the last little while, let me explain. In 2007 Michael Vick was sentenced to 23 months in prison for operating a dog fighting ring. He did it to make money - the millions of dollars you get for being an NFL QB doesn't go nearly as far as it used to I suppose. With money on the line, dogs that performed poorly were either electrocuted, hanged, or drowned.

Disgusted yet? Yeah, I thought you might be.

So here we are. After completing his sentence, Vick is out of prison and free to play football again (after he serves a 4 game suspension).

However the question everybody is asking is, should he be allowed to play? After all, his crime is so heinous, he shouldn't be allowed anywhere near an NFL stadium right?

Well I have a better question. Why are we vilifying Michael Vick?? Seriously, why?? Actually, I don't need any smart ass comments from the peanut gallery, I know why he's being vilified. But haven't there been far worse atrocities committed by NFL players in the past? Why aren't we denigrating them? Ok, maybe that was the genius question.

In 2000, Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis was indicted for murder and aggravated assault following a fight that broke out at a Superbowl party. He later pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charge of obstruction of justice in exchange for his testimony against his two accomplices. Not only did we the adoring fans welcome him back with open arms, but he made the cover of the Madden 2005 video game.

Former Tennessee Titan and Dallas Cowboy Adam 'Pacman' Jones has had a litany of run-ins with the law including a shooting at a Las Vegas strip club that left one person paralyzed from the waist down. Jones pleaded no contest to conspiracy to commit disorderly conduct - quite a bit different than the two felony charges he was facing.

In 2008 Marvin Harrison was allegedly involved in a shooting outside a bar that he owns. While ballistics have confirmed the bullets in the shooting came from a gun owned by Harrison, conflicting eye witness reports have prevented investigators from making an arrest in the case.

Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall has been arrested several times over the last 5 years on a number of charges including assaulting a police officer, domestic violence, driving under the influence, and misdemeanor battery.

On March 1st of this year, Cleveland Browns wide receiver Dante Stallworth killed a pedestrian with his car while he was driving under the influence. In April he was charged with second degree manslaughter.

All of these players (with the exception of Stallworth) have come back to the NFL without nearly the controversy that has plagued Michael Vick.

I can't help but wonder why?? Is Vick's crime that much more odious than what 'Pacman' Jones or Ray Lewis or Dante Stallworth did? Is it because dogs are cute and fluffy and late night drunks are, well, not cute or fluffy??

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love dogs (have one - soon to be two myself) and think what Vick did is absolutely vile and disgusting. And I'm not saying he should be forgiven, but I guess I just don't understand why we are so willing to give some celebrities a pass - like Michael Jackson (child molestation) or Kobe Bryant (rape) - but not others. Is it really as simple as "dogs are defenseless creatures"?

I'd love to hear what you think about this topic. Feel free to leave your comments below.

Does Michael Vick deserve to play football this year?