We're only on the second day of freedom in the Michael Vick melodrama and it's clear that figurative lines are being drawn on the turf. Following his release from federal custody, many fans and journalists have expressed their strong feelings in opposition of Vick's potential return to the NFL.
But there is another side, one which includes some prominent former and current NFL stars, that believes Vick is worthy of a second chance.
Michael Irvin, Jamal Anderson and Michael Strahan are a few of the former players who voiced support for Vick, while Shawne Merriman and Chad Ochocinco made their stances crystal clear on Twitter.
"The law spoke with Donte', but he's already been in and out of jail," Irvin said. "There still has to be a penalty with Donte' when it comes to the NFL. ... Michael Vick has already served his penalty."
Irvin also mentioned that he doesn't think a Vick reinstatement should happen right away because Roger Goodell wouldn't want to "taint" the beginning of the football season with his comeback.
Anderson and Strahan's messages of approval were even more emotional. Here's what Strahan said on his Twitter page:
When he was informed by another Twitter user that "no team" would be interested in Vick, Strahan replied: "somebody's interested in Vick but they're not gonna say it right now! He's too talented and they let guys who've done worse back."
Jamal Anderson, the former Pro Bowler and current ESPN analyst, spent time to reflect and empathize with Vick. If you recall, Anderson was arrested in February on suspicion of cocaine possession.
Anderson proceeded to tweet a bunch of consecutive messages on how much he's learned from his mistake and grown from it, then thanked every single Twitter user who cared enough to reach out.
At one point, he was asked: "If a child molester serves his sentence, do we forgive and forget that he abused children?"
Anderson's reply: "You cant even compare his case to a child molester... we will not agree on this, which is fine ... and I own a dog too [...] Vick went to jail. served his time, apologized for his actions/involvement prior to jail ... what more do you want?"
It was fascinating to see the debate points fly back and forth on a social media landscape, and it wasn't just limited to former stars-turned-analysts. Merriman, the Chargers' defensive standout, proclaimed Vick should be allowed back in the league. His defense was that "everybody makes mistakes in life and should be given another chance."
And of course I've saved the best comment for last.
Ochocinco, who's never afraid of stirring things up, offered the following prediction:
As you could have guessed, that wasn't all we heard from one of the most controversial athletes on Twitter.
He also said: "They say Vick ain't accurate, I got homeboys that can throw, they can run and scramble right now, why they ain't in the league? Vick is special that's why!"
And then ... "Teams game plan around certain skill players week to week, when you play Vick the plan is to stop him, no other QB has that presence!!!!"
If you're already sick of the Vick talk, I'd advise you to keep your thumb close to the mute button. This has the makings of a seemingly never-ending topic of discussion, and at times it's undoubtedly going to appear very ugly. Strahan advised people to "move on," but I don't foresee that happening any time soon.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
7-21-2009 @ 11:12AM
marvinfalls said...
Give the man a break...Give him another chance....then if you must judge him..then do so
Reply
7-21-2009 @ 9:07PM
troopstar said...
I'm a owner of 2 Dogs and i say GIVE VICK ANOTHER Chance. He served his time and he deserves a second chance. You can not compare the Delonte and his situation which are two totally separate situations. PAC man constantly stayed in trouble and repeatedly received 4th and 5th chances which i didn't agree with. So LET VICK BACK IN HE payed his dues.
7-22-2009 @ 5:49PM
Rogerg591 said...
I agree
7-21-2009 @ 11:34AM
Robert said...
These comments are all coming from felons themselves.
Reply
7-21-2009 @ 4:48PM
machadobrad said...
Robert you got that right. He is only being defended by shady characters. I'm surprised that Lawrence Philips and Marcus Vick haven't jumped to his defense. And oh yes, Ray Carruth and Orenthal probably defend him too.
7-22-2009 @ 12:40PM
thaproblem910 said...
what is the point of your racism? is it just to hear yourselves talk? deep down inside i know all of u racist bastards wish u were black and able to do a FRACTION of the things that Mr. Vick can do. Just admit it whities.
7-21-2009 @ 11:38AM
Frank and Angela said...
Marvin, here's what you do. Buy controlling interest in an NFL team, then you sign him.
Reply
7-21-2009 @ 11:44AM
JFCJR said...
I live in Atlanta and am NOT a Vick fan, never have and never will be a Vick fan. HOWEVER, the guy paid the price, went to prison and deserves a 2nd chance in the NFL if he is good enough. I have dogs and I love dogs but he was singled out and received way worse treatment than if he were the average "Joe Blow". Nobody gets put in prison for that long for what he did. I find the wife beaters, sexual assualters and drunken drivers killing people way more repulsive than Michael Vick. Let's band all those guys from the NFL.........
Reply
7-21-2009 @ 5:15PM
Nancy said...
You own dogs and you are that forgiving???? Unheard of....He should rot in hell for what he did to those defenseless animals. What if it were your dog he killed. Would you be as forgiving???? I doubt that!!!
7-21-2009 @ 9:21PM
ivo610 said...
Deserves a 2nd chance? Have you been paying attention to Vick at all? I guess not. Cause if you did then you would know he already has gotten his chances. He lied to the Feds about the dogs... that would be 2... He lied to Goodell about his involvment... that would be 3... He failed a drug test while awaiting sentencing... that would be 4. Yeah give him a few more chances... Ron Mexico need another chance like Travis Henry needs more kids
7-21-2009 @ 12:52PM
kallay7 said...
No way in hell does Michale Vick deserve a second chance. This was not a simple "lapse in judgement" people. He started the kennel and dogfighting ring in 2001. He was caught in 2007. Really, a 6 year "lapse"? He personally hung, shot, or slammed AT LEAST 8 dogs to death. He then lied to everyone about all of it, and even the judge said he lacked any true remorse. We call people that do these things sociopaths.
Reply
7-21-2009 @ 11:46PM
pophale2 said...
Kallay,
I guess you will be boycotting the sportsman show on ESPN where they shoot and kill innocence animals. where is the outrage from all of you from the lets get vick club! i guess that piece of meat you ate today volunteered to get kill to be your meal today. NO its the leather cowhide coat, shoes , etc that you wear with the permission of animals it takes to make them. I can only guess how many animals are MURDERED daily to feed we humans. Not a problem when come to filling up our stomachs (hmm). Sounds like a double standard when hunters can kill for fun and not be held to the same standards by you who post on this subject. Since we are concern about the rights of animals dogs in particular why do we have the right to make slaves (pets) out of dogs, put them in cages and on leaches.Apparently those who have dogs was given permission by the dog itself. Just a thought! LOL!
7-21-2009 @ 1:01PM
marcometo said...
Vick should be able to play, he was punished unfairly and should have a second chance. I predicted he would serve for only 2 years and that the Raiders would pick him up. let see what happens.
Reply
7-21-2009 @ 1:18PM
beechman999 said...
america is the land of opportunity..i am a southern middle aged white guy, love all animals especially my dog and i say give Michael Vick his second chance.. even with all his wealth most of us dont know the culture he was raised in.. we have all done things that are wrong, some people are caught some never are... but i believe Vick is deserving of another chance... i hope he gets it and turns his life around.. Good luck Michael
Reply
7-21-2009 @ 1:31PM
Marshall said...
Talk about your double standards and things that do not make sense!!! Michael Vick serves more time for dog fighting than people do for killing or wounding other people!! The man has done his time and paid his debt to society, a larger one than most would pay, and is still being punished. If this is the NEW standard among professional athletes then watch out. There may be teams and leagues that may just have to fold as there are many more professional athletes that are not law abiding citizens. While I do agree that he was wrong, he has more than paid for it and should be allowed to continue on with his career.
Reply
7-21-2009 @ 1:32PM
jpetrae said...
I feel anybody that abuses animals will abuse humans. I will boycott any Team that plays him. I feel disgusted about his killing of those dogs, and the greed that came about this.
Reply
7-22-2009 @ 1:37AM
JTFEE said...
I agree. If my team takes him, it won't be my team anymore. You can fill the stadium with dog abusers and people like Strahan and Irvin. Remember when Vick's relatives in the family section in the Falcons' stadium cheered then-starting qb Chris Chandler's injury to get their boy in?
7-21-2009 @ 1:35PM
Hi June said...
To forgive him for what he has done then you NFL players must be just like him. He doesn't deserve to EVER play again.
If somehow he does, he should be required to donate part of his humongous salary to animal shelters and do volunteer work to stop other people doing these indispicable acts of torture.
Reply
7-21-2009 @ 1:57PM
Paul said...
I onced worked in a maximum security "School for Teenage Criminals." At least three whom I know have been released at the age of 18 and went on to college and two did very well with their live's. These kids were 13-18 years old--all murderers. Most ended up in Maximum Security Prison when they turned 18. My point is this: Here we have a very talented man. He has done very vile acts, but is it better to hold this man from making the living he could? Is it better to turn against him and make him a hardened criminal. Look, I know this one kid bludgeoned his high school sweethear with a hammer. Did three years in DYS and was released as an adult. I love dogs, but I think to penalize this man beyond what the court deemed fit is rather foolish. Prisons (both housing teens and elders) release people who have murdered a human being in 3-12 years. I can't stand to think of what Vic did to those dogs, but I can't stand what one of these kids that I managed years ago did either and I was very proud to see that he had grown up a man and a good one at that. That is my humble but knowledgable opinion. Let him play and make him pay. Pay to dog shelters, for teens in trouble; whatever, but let the man do what he knows how to do.
Reply
7-21-2009 @ 2:54PM
LIFTEDEXX said...
I don't have a problem with giving the guy a second chance but if I have a business I don't want to hire someone with that past that to represent my company. Especially as high profile of a business as the NFL is. I would never root for a team that picks him up because I don't think he is remorseful at all.
Reply