Michael Vick says his dog-fighting crime was 'horrendous'
Quarterback Michael Vick, who spent 18 months in prison for dog fighting, has recently signed a new contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. And he's also given an interview to "60 Minutes" and posted this blog item to express remorse for his past actions.
Here's part of his blog-ology.
"I'm sorry. That's the place where I need to begin. My feeling of remorse. I ain't never written a blog before, so putting my thoughts down on paper is a challenge -- however it's a challenge I must face. I can look a 250 pound linebacker in his eyes at the line of scrimmage and have no fear. But expressing myself when I know that there are millions of people who are so angry with me, and rightfully so, is a challenge unlike any other I have faced before.
"Sitting in a prison cell didn't make me feel remorse. It was meeting so many animal lovers, speaking with them and looking them in their eyes. Staring at them. Looking so deep into their eyes that I began to feel their pain. Allowing that pain to enter into my body is when I started to understand how bad it really was. I have been trying hard to connect with people who feel this pain, because for my whole life I was disconnected from the suffering of animals. And you might say, "come on Mike, how could you do those things to those dogs?" And you're right ... I ask myself those questions every day. What kind of person does this? How does a human-being treat dogs or any animal with such pain and cruelty? And the hard part for me is the answer to these questions. Because the answer is ME. And I am trying so hard right now to become a better person, because who I was, I am ashamed of."
Michael points out that he grew up in a bad environment but that is still no excuse. And he wants to stop dog fighting and is working with the Humane Society in launching a new campaign against the crime.
Some folks are so quick to forgive and forget.
Read this blog item on the PETA website about his refusal to take an Empathy Test.
What do you think? Is he really sincere or just trying to gain back the public respect he has lost?
Do you trust him?
They should have never let him back into the NFL. Animals are your friends not to make money from them to hurt each other. I always had dogs in my life at a young age and they always give you love. I am a football fan but will never watch a game that he will be at orm play. Can not believe that the Eagles signed him!
When I tried to post this message on the same PETA blog, the administrator would not allow my comment. So here it is:
Although I do not condone Michael Vick's actions, I COMMEND NFL commissioner Rodger Godell and Eagles Owner Jeffrey Lurie for providing Vick the opportunity to play in the NFL. I am SICKENED by the HEARD mentality of most PETA members and thank GOD that we live in a country that allows for second chances. Michael Vick served nearly two years in a federal penitentiary for his crimes, claimed bankruptcy, lost thousands of fans, tarnished his image, yet you PETA members sit on your moral pedestals and determine that the man has not paid his debt to society and as such, deserves to be banned from in the NFL? The HUMANE SOCIETY has endorsed Vick's return to the NFL, why not you PETA? You people , are the VIAL, REPREHENSIBLE, individuals, not Mr. Vick. It's quite easy to say that you love your country because you protect the welfare of our animals, but I beg the question, are you protecting animal welfare over that of our citizens? It is my belief that if you could ask all society this question the answer received would be a resounding NO! Ingrid E. Newkirk herself has stated in an interview (After dodging the question for years) that she equates an animal life to that of a human being! SICKENING! So PETA, keep spending millions of dollars on savvy little anti-meat adds, while children all over the world are starving and would kill to have a mere morsel of meat you so relentlessly hate. You really want to make a difference, stop waisting your time protesting and spending on add campaigns and send money to Darfur, or to starving children in Africa. But, after all, what can you do when dealing with an organization run by a facist feminist blowhard? It is to be expected. you
Vick interview provokes howls of protest.
See:
http://notionscapital.wordpress.com/2009/08/17/michael-vick-signed-to-nfl-amid-howling-controversy/
Hi Elizabeth,
Just curious, how come my post was removed?
It's easy to write something that sounds remorseful (or have someone write it for you). His 60 minutes interview showed that he was sorry about being in jail, and sorry that he blew his career. However, whenever he spoke about how "sorry" he was for the animals, he was shaking his head as if he was saying "I don't really mean what I'm saying."
i cant believe you, thats so mean imagian if you were one of those dogs. how would you feel?would you like that? think be for you do
I do not believe Mike Vick feels remorse at this time. Only digging deep down in his mind & .soul with professional help will eventually get him to that point. He should hide his head in shame for what he did to those poor helpless animals. It sounds like he is reading a rehearsed speech to me.
he is not sorry for what he did. He should not play football. I will not watch any football anymore. He is absurd, totally. He should give his first years salary and the next to PETS.
He is still soul-less in my book to have been able to participate as an adult in such a crime. He is probably still the same person, just trying his best to get back to the sport of football. I hope someone kicks his Butt this year and I am sure the phillys will suffer for this bad move.
This activiity seeps evil and is entrenched in the enjoyment of cruelty. Humans typically have a conscience. Those who don't are not completely human. He is no different than a sociopath, murderer, rapist, serial killer. Can't rehab a lack of consience or enjoyment of suffering. This is not normal and cannot be learned or fixed. Put him in a ring with a fight dog. Put him down if he doesn't win or fight.