Community Corner

Should We Forgive Michael Vick?

Many Douglasville residents were shocked when our NFL team's star quarterback was indicted and convicted on charges associated with dogfighting and animal cruelty. Three years later, is it time to forgive Vick?

By Sarah E. Anderson

If you’re like me and countless other Douglasville residents, you are and have been a big Falcons fan for years. That’s our home-team and we cheer them on through the good and bad. Sadly, there has been a lot of bad over the last decade. Much of that bad has stemmed from the off-field antics of our former quarterback, Michael Vick. The latest in a long string of incidents was, of course, Vick’s federal conviction of countless activities associated with dogfighting and unlawfully killing and torturing dogs. He served 18 months in prison for his actions.  

Since then, Vick has been accepted back into the NFL and currently plays for the Philadelphia Eagles. Recently, Nike signed an undisclosed deal with Vick (after dropping him in 2007), with Nike spokesman Derek Kent telling CNBC, "We do not condone those actions, but we support the positive changes he has made to better himself off the field." Vick has also been named "Subway Sportsman of the Year" by the BET Network. His autobiography hit stores last week and a documentary about Vick is in the works with Bombo Sports & Entertainment. 

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Vick is not the first or the last person to engage in dogfighting, but he is, perhaps, the most public figure, and he has become the human face of that particular crime. He also served his punishment according to the law. Since then, he has been granting interviews to countless media organizations and working with the Humane Society of the United States to help reach out to inner city youth and speak out about why dogfighting is not something to get involved with. Whether he truly believes in his message now and had a change of heart or is simply following the orders of a stellar public relations team, only Vick knows for sure.

I do know far too many young people look up to Vick, and I hope with every fiber of my being that they will take his latest message to heart. I've also witnessed firsthand that far too many young people, even here in Douglasville, think dogfighting is okay and do not understand the harm it causes innocent animals or even that it is against the law.

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As an avid football fan, animal lover and human being, I have my own thoughts on Vick’s newfound publicity that stem from his past off-the-field behavior (and not just the dogfighting), but instead of sharing my opinion, I want to know what others think. I decided to ask a few of Douglasville’s biggest animal advocates what they thought about Vick’s seemingly seamless comeback, and I received some surprisingly different answers. 

Jaime (last name withheld) the founder of BullyWag, a local organization that works to change the public’s opinion of Pit Bulls told me that Vick’s positive reemergence into society should be what we focus on now, “I don't personally know him, so I don't know if his apology/regret is genuine. I guess as long as he is doing positive things, he shouldn't be frowned upon, but I also hope that no one forgets about the dogs that he hurt & killed… I would hope that endorsing companies would keep an open mind while at the same time be cautious if looking for Vick to represent them.”

On the other hand, Martina Hemming, the Executive Director of the West Georgia SPCA does not forgive Vick’s actions and had some very strong words to say, “Some people and companies, like Nike, downplay Michael Vick's crimes by calling them 'a mistake' or giving the impression that dog fighting is a 'just a dog fight.’ The reality is that Michael Vick fully funded, organized and participated in multi-state dogfighting/gambling rings for several years until he was arrested. He bought and developed property (which includes rape cages and other cruel tools of dog fighters) for the express purpose of dogfighting. Vick sponsored dog fights on his property and he transported his dogs to fights in several states. The dogs that were fought were mauled, tortured and killed. They were all victims of animal cruelty.  Michael Vick not only 'fought' dogs, he personally executed dogs that were not good performers. Michael Vick executed at least eight of his dogs by hanging, drowning and electrocution. On top of all that, Michael Vick lied to the NFL Commissioner, he lied to the Atlanta Falcons owner, he failed drug tests, he defied court orders, and then he is named Subway's Sportsman of the Year by BET and gets a lucrative endorsement deal with Nike?”

Hemming believes that anyone who cares about animals should boycott companies such as Nike, Subway and BET, “While Michael Vick is seemingly saying and doing all the right things now that he is out of prison, it doesn't mean that he should be applauded for his new public revelation that dog fighting is criminal. That is something that most people already understand. It doesn't mean that we should forget the cruelty Michael Vick funded and organized or that we should forget his victims. Every time I see a Subway restaurant, a Nike emblem or a mention of BET, I can only see that they chose a person to represent them that was heavily vested in animal cruelty. I don't want to support that.” 

Hemming also asked that I give this important message to Douglasville residents:  “The most important thing you can do to fight back against the cruelty or dogfighting is to report it. If you want to remain anonymous, you can report it to the West Georgia SPCA at 770-272-3178. You can also report it to the Norred & Associates dogfighting hotline at 770-215-2250.” 

As I mentioned, Michael Vick’s story often hits close to home with Douglasville residents, because many of us are and have been Falcons fans for years, and Vick spent many years as the face of that organization. So, I’m curious as to what you guys think. Should we forgive and forget Vick’s actions since he has allegedly turned over a new leaf? Or do you feel like the NFL and companies like Nike are rewarding him for bad behavior and forgetting about the countless innocent lives he took? Or do you have a different opinion all together? 

Both BullyWag and the West Georgia SPCA are great organizations if you want to learn more about dogfighting, the truth about Pit Bulls and animal cruelty.

Editor's note: This column originally ran in Douglasville Patch on Aug. 6, 2011.


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