Michael Vick: call it a comeback but don’t dare say redemption

Leslie Smith, Editor in Chief

Wednesday November 17th, 2010

Yesterday morning, my husband announced that Michael Vick played well - really well - in Monday night's game. He's made similar declarations throughout the season. I think it's his way of helping me brace for the onslaught of pro-Vick commentary I'm destined to come across throughout the week.

And sure enough, the headlines these last few days are proclaiming: "Michael Vick's Turnabout Is Remarkable." "All Hail Vick." And "Vick: a Fetching Comeback Story." The media loves a talented athlete, especially one who was once written off.

But I'm heartened to hear those in the field - even those who live and breathe football - weigh in with a perspective I can respect. Football is awesome, but maybe not as great as being a kind person. (Not exactly a sexy, sell-newspapers kind of story, I know.)

In a brilliant column in the L.A. Times, sports writer Bill Plaschke asks, Can you "cheer the player and boo the man?" Perhaps more relevant: should you?

Plaschke tells the story of Mel, a former Vick dog now living in Dallas with Richard and Sunny Hunter. Though he's received the utmost in compassion and care since his rescue from Vick's compound, Mel is still so emotionally ravaged from his days as a bait dog, he convulses with fear each time a stranger enters the house.

The dog's scars remain so raw -- and so heartbreaking -- that Hunter can't bring himself to watch football. While a stadium crowd cheers for Vick, a frightened Pit Bull tries to become invisible in a corner of the house. Though it's been years since Vick has touched him, he hides his head and lies motionless, soundless. As Plaschke writes, the bark was literally beaten out of him.

Vick's comeback as a football player may well be unprecedented. He practices hard and listens to his coaches; his work, as an athlete, has paid off. But his claim to be a changed man rings hollow. His efforts to right the ethical wrong he's done are nominal to non-existent. His redemption as a person has yet to begin.

I'm at the municipal shelter twice a week and I see the dogs that have endured similar terror to Mel. They've been made to fight, they've been burned, maimed, ears cut off with scissors, their whole life with a chain around their neck. At the shelter, they cower in the corner of their kennel, shaking, tail so tucked they can hardly stand.

But these dogs don't wind up with a loving family like the Hunters. Their abusers aren't celebrities, and their stories aren't televised. So instead of a second chance with the kindest of care-givers, their battered bodies and pummeled psyches are deemed unadoptable. They are disposed of and forgotten.

Meanwhile, I read the papers and I understand that Vick's comeback story is incredible. The media can't get enough. But for me, there is no amount of yardage gained, no number of records broken, that will take away the look in a dog's eyes begging please don't hurt me.

While there are still people who fight Pit Bulls for entertainment, still those who maim animals for sport as Vick runs exuberantly around a football field, his redemption is sorely incomplete.

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	This man needs to take notes from Will Witherspoon. I can never forgive MV for what he did to those poor animals. This man needs to be taken away from the NFL for a life time hit it were it really hurts (his purse strings). Oh the poor baby lost so many sponsor. Well guess what I just might start buying those products just because they dropped this so called man. A real man has compassion for every thing. I will tell you what ! I will be cheering on the Titans this year. Will Witherspoon you have my vote as player of the year! Finally an NFL player that is doing something good! Giving this young man a big paw hug and lots of slobber kisses! MV why don't you take a look at what this young man is doing and put your money to good use. I say fry his ass but that's just me. MV you are a poor excuse for a human. I don't even know if you are human?? over 2 years ago by thestones
	You guys are just mad that you weren't blessed with mike vicks talent so you hide behind your false sense ov self righteousness of defending your stance on dog love...mike vick paid his debt to society..now he's making his way back to the top of the profession he loves...if he was left poor and broken he couldn't do shit for 1 dog...I feel sorry for your lives over 2 years ago by chiim_chiim
	If you ask me Michael Vick will never be redeamed. I never liked him. I live in Roanoke Va and had my fill of him via Va. Tech & Frank Beamer before he went pro. He is a shining example prefferential treatment. He wouldn't stoop to any treatment for mental illness. He feels he's above that. He will re-offend again, just wait and see. But it better not be animals.. Anyone who could do that to innocent dogs is a coward. Football, fast player or not he's a coward.. over 2 years ago by Irishiisrsmilin
	Here are the problems that I see:__1. To do what M. Vick did proves he's mentally ill.__2. Has he received any serious therapy for this mental illness? doubtful which means he is doomed to repeat it in some venue.__3. He's rich which means he'll get away with anything he wants i.e. O.J. Simpson, etc.__4. We can fuss and fume and be justifiably angry all we want, but will anything change? No - good grief, athletes get away with beating women and attempted murder and such - is anything going to be done to a low-life who tortured and killed animals ??__5. Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it. Therefore, we can never let the public forget what M. Vick did. It's not a matter of unforgiveness, but a matter of being vigilant and hoping to avert this kind of cruelty or catch people like this again.__I would hope that M.Vick would be kidnapped by animal activist extremists who will subject him to the terror and torture he brought upon those animals . . . for a good long time. I sometimes do believe in an eye for an eye. over 2 years ago by jebtrek

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