Michael Vick is, at least for the moment, back in professional football. Sports fans and non-sports fans are divided on whether he is or is not deserving of this opportunity. Don Shannon, a spokesperson for PETA, doesn't seem to think Vick feels remorseful for the crimes he committed related to dog fighting. ASPCA president, Ed Sayers, is expecting Vick to express remorse for his actions. Michael Vick didn't do anything to either of those groups or to either of those people. As such, he doesn't owe PETA or the ASPCA an apology, remorse, or anything else. These partisan groups are more interested in using Vick to get free publicity for their private causes than in whether or not he has changed.
While I personally believe his conduct with the dogs reprehensible, he has paid the penalty demanded of him by the legal system which acts on behalf of the society in which we live. In addition to fines and jail time, he has lost a fortune in salary, property, and endorsements. He will forever be remembered for his participation in and support of dog fighting and his reputation will be forever tarnished. That is a very steep price to pay for having been raised and coddled by a society willing to overlook so much in exchange for success in athletics. There are people who will never believe the punishment was adequate for the crime; it is their right to have that opinion. As far as I am concerned, that issue is over.
In starting over, he still faces an uphill battle to redeem and restore himself. For the moment, Vick has surrounded himself with a better set of mentors including Tony Dungy. He will find people on the Eagles staff, like Doug Pederson and Donovan McNabb, who have solid morals and will help him keep things straight. He is very fortunate to still have the potential to attempt to resume his football career. Like all athletes, his days in sports are numbered and this opportunity will be attempted on slower, older legs in a game given to youth. I wish him the best and hope he gets it right this time around.
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