Continue the Suspension of Michael Vick It’s Time to Send a Message to Every NFL Player & Kid in this Country.
I was asked the other day on Sirius Satellite Radio’s NFL Mov’in the Chains with Hosts Tim Ryan and Pat Kirwan what I thought about Michael Vick’s possible return to the NFL. As Vick is released from federal prison the burden of if and when Vick returns to the NFL lies solely with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. The Commissioner can determine if the tainted and convicted former star quarterback has his permanent playing suspension lifted.
The public debate and the one Goodell must wrestle with is; Has Vick paid his price through serving a jail term or has he lost the opportunity to play ever again in the NFL? Obviously my perspective comes from the point of view of how this would affect what kids take away from such a decision.
Before I answered the question I had just heard Pat Kirwan, a former NFL GM, with conservative views, explain that we live in a country where people deserve second chances. Though he was not totally convinced Vick deserved this opportunity to play again he was leaning toward accepting the return of Vick to the National Football League.
I understand Pat and others viewpoints on this subject. However, in this particular case I have to disagree. We live in a time where we seem to forgive too many professional athletes that make their living performing in front of our kids. We provide not only second but also third and fourth chances, where we are left to explain and justify to our kids their role model’s actions. At the same time kids aren’t stupid, they see that these athletes continue to prosper from big financial rewards, regardless of the rules they’ve broken.
I sincerely hope Commissioner Goodell walks the walk and sends a strong message that backs his claim, that he will up hold the integrity of the NFL, and it will not be all talk. This is an opportunity to send a strong message to not only every player in the League but to every child who is faced with right and wrong. Sure we all make mistakes, but sometimes those mistakes can be costly. Do you for one moment think Vick did not know what he was doing was wrong. He had his second then a third chance when he lied about his involvement.
This is not entirely about cruelty to dogs, though a heinous crime, it’s also about illegal gambling, an offense that no NFL player should be involved. When I worked at the NFL I remember Goodell specifically telling me that working and playing for the NFL was a privilege not a right or entitlement. Roger it’s time to send a clear and strong message to protect the integrity of the game and a life lesson to kids that follow your sport.
