The Michael Vick Question

Now that Micheal Vick has been released from prison, re-instated by the NFL and signed by the Philadelphia Eagles, there is intense debate on whether he should have been allowed to resume his career in the NFL. Both sides have valid points, but in my opinion, Vick should not have been re-instated by the NFL.

Vick, who was convicted and served prison time for managing dog fights in Virginia, is now set to resume his career as a back-up quarterback with the Philadelphia Eagles. Whether his time in prison and away from the game has irreparably eroded his skills, is still open to question. The debate is whether Vick's criminal record has morally disqualified him from playing in the NFL.

One radio talk show host, whom I admire greatly, is Dennis Prager. He argues that Vick should be given a second chance since;

1 he has paid his debt to society in prison.
2 he should be allowed to make a living in his professional field
3 his offense concerned animals rather than humans as was the case of St Louis Rams player Leonard Little, who while driving drunk a few years ago, killed a woman,
served only 90 days in jail, has since been arrested again for DUI and is still playing for the Rams.

All of which are valid points.

Yet, I respectfully disagree with Prager's opinion because he has forgotten a couple of important points.

First of all, playing in a professional sports league is a privilege, not a right. Yes, I know that Vick's ability to help the Eagles win is considered the bottom line by many. Yet, the argument that professional athletes are role models is a fact. Do we really want to see young kids walking around wearing green number 7 Eagles jerseys with Vick's name on them?

Equally important is the fact that when a team like the Eagles signs Vick to a contract, they are bringing an individual into the Philadelphia community. In a sense, are they not responsible when that individual causes problems in that community? Hopefully, Vick, having learned his lesson, will behave in an exemplary manner in Philadelphia. But what if he doesn't? If Vick so much as gets arrested for DUI in that city, does not the blame fall largely on the Eagles' organization?

Just before Vick signed with the Eagles, speculation was wild that the Pittsburgh Steelers would sign him. As a life-long Steelers fan, I am relieved they did not. With few exceptions, the Steelers organization, under the Rooney family, has been a responsible member of the Pittsburgh civic community. There are few if any NFL franchises that have worked as hard to keep problem players out of the Pittsburgh community. Head cases have not been welcome on the Steelers, and I could not see Michael Vick as a Steeler. They could have signed him and put the uniform on him-but he would not have been a Steeler.

At any rate, I hope Vick has changed and will redeem himself. I have no wish to see him broke and unable to practice his profession. Yet, I wonder how much respect our youth can have for the NFL when they know that there are such character issues among those who are supposed to be role models.