Teammates Give Vick Courage Award

Related NewsWelcome back: Vick still rules in Atlanta

Just yesterday Michael Vick was a disgraced star and the most hated man in the world to dog lovers everywhere. But it seems that his peers appreciate his tough journey back to the NFL. His Philadelphia Eagles teammates unanimouly voted and gave him the Ed Block Courage Award, after he returned to the league after spending 18 months in a federal prison for his role in a dogfighting ring.

The three-time Pro Bowl quarterback in six seasons with the Atlanta Falcons has not played much with the Eagles. He has two touchdowns rushing and one passing in 12 games. The Eagles were criticized by animal rights activists for signing Michael Vick less than a month after he was released from prison. And some fans threatened to give up their tickets. But he received a warm reception in his first game with the Eagles and has been a model citizen off the field.

The Ed Block Award honors players who exemplify commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage. Eagles star quarterback Donovan McNabb called the award "well-deserved." Each of the 32 NFL teams selects a recipient.

Michael Vick has spent time working with the Humane Society of the United States, speaking to school and community groups about the mistakes he made in getting involved in dogfighting.

"Congratulations to him for turning his life around and bettering himself as a human being," coach Andy Reid said. "He's obviously very well-respected by his teammates."

Wow, What A Week in Sports

Not only have the Jamaicans replaced the Americans, both men and women, as the dominate force in the sprints of the track world but Usain Bolt shattered the 100 meter record at the Track and Field World Championships. It remains to be seen how far ahead of the rest of the field he will be in the 200 meters this week. The person who probably would have come in second, Tyson Gay, has pulled out of the race due to a “pulled groin muscle”. That is usually the case of the second place finisher in major sprinter. It all seems unlikely to me since his second place finish was the third fastest 100 meter in history.

It seems that Tiger Woods is human after all. He was beaten at the PGA Championship Sunday. This was the first time ever that Tiger has lost when leading the final round of a major golf championship. He was beaten by South Korean Y. E. Yang, who became the first Asian to win a major PGA championship.

Michael Vick rejoined the National Football League when he was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Oakland Raiders head coach broke the jaw of one of his assistants. A star NHL player robbed a cab driver for 20 cents. I’m happy to see idiots are not limited to the NFL and NBA. And Bret Favre is back. He signed with the Minnesota Vikings after all the retirement crap for another year. Probably just didn’t want to go through another training camp.

Michael Vick Signs with Eagles

Michael Vick is back in the NFL after signing a two-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles. The former Atlanta Falcons quarterback was convicted in August 2007 of conspiracy and running a dogfighting operation, and served 18 months of a 23-month sentence in federal prison. He was once the NFL's highest-paid player, but has not played since 2006.

Michael Vick’s suspension was lifted on July 27, allowing him to sign with a team, practice and play in the last two preseason games. Once the season begins, Vick can participate in all team activities except games. The NFL commissioner said he would consider Vick for full reinstatement by Week 6 (Oct. 18-19) at the latest, but I believe Michael Vick will play in the fourth week of the season.

The Eagles is a surprise landing point for Vick. They were among 26 clubs that said there was no interest in Vick, but that may have changed when their backup quarterback strained a knee ligament earlier this week. The Eagles are led by star quarterback Donovan McNabb. When news of Michael Vick's signing circulated in the press box during the first half of the Eagles' preseason opener against New England, even the team's public relations staff seemed surprised.

Michael Vick arrived in Philadelphia Tuesday morning and remained there Wednesday evening. The Eagles will hold a news conference on Friday morning to announce his signing. The first year of the deal is for $1.6 million with an option for the second year at $5.2 million.

The Eagles travel to meet Vick's former team, the Atlanta Falcons, in Week 13 on Dec. 6. Wouldn't it be kinda fun to see him break off a long run or pass for a touchdown against them. Hummm...

Michael Vick Reinstated to NFL - Almost

Almost two years after he pleaded guilty to a federal charge of bankrolling a dog fighting operation at a house he owned in Virginia, Michael Vick has been reinstated to the National Football League. According to an NFL statement, Michael Vick will be considered for full reinstatement and to play in regular-season games by Week 6. He can participate in practices, workouts and meetings and may play in his club's final two preseason games under the conditions of his reinstatement, the league said.

Michael Vick, in his own statement, thanked the league's commissioner and former Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy, who has served as his mentor. Dungy has agreed to continue working with Vick as an adviser and mentor, the NFL statement said.
Vick said, "I fully understand that playing football in the NFL is a privilege, not a right, and I am truly thankful for the opportunity I have been given."

The former Atlanta Falcons player is a free agent and has not been signed by any team yet. The league suspended Vick indefinitely in August 2007 after his guilty plea. Although he was released from federal custody July 20, he must serve three years of probation, the league said.

According to the NFL commissioner, this step-by-step approach is not meant to be further punishment and should not be viewed as such. Instead, it is intended to maximize the prospect that he can successfully resume his career and his life. Michael Vick will also on programs aimed at preventing youths from getting involved in dog fighting and on programs to assist young people who have been involved.

Don’t you just love the self-righteous people that complain that Vick is a felon and therefore should not be allowed to earn a living? I thought that was the American Way – to forgive after a person pays for their mistakes. It doesn't mean what he did wasn't wrong, we all know it was, but nothing can change the past.

We support politicians who have done worse, we support movie stars who die from overdose, support stars you have molested young children, yet we are "disgusted" by a man who has the opportunity to lead others from making the mistakes he has made. Every step he takes will be followed by the over-zealous media hoping to catch him making a mistake. I believe he will use this platform to teach people that it is possible to actually feel remorse for the mistakes made in life.

I thought that once you have paid your debt to society, you should be given another chance. Otherwise, we might as well execute anyone who commits a crime. To what extent do people of color have to continue paying their debt? Michael Vick was incarcerated, paid fines and lawyer’s fees. Again, when is enough - enough when people of color have paid their debt to society?

I don’t see any animal lovers picketing the rodeo, horse racing or the circus. Look into the detail of these animal cruelties main stays of U.S. society. Or better yet look into the places most of your lovable little dogs originate.

Mike Vick has paid dearly for his crime and I truly believe he deserves a second chance to rehabilitate himself. He is going to be working with the Humane Society. God allows us to make mistakes, but he still forgives us. I don't condone what he did, but that is what repentance is all about.

Michael Vick Leaves Prison for Home Confinement

Suspended NFL star Michael Vick slipped past waiting cameras and reporters undetected to leave a federal penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas before dawn Wednesday to begin home confinement in his house in Hampton, Virginia. It is the latest step on a journey that he hopes will lead to his reinstatement after serving 19 months for financing a dog fighting ring. He will begin two months of home confinement before a scheduled released from federal custody on July 20.

Vick was traveling by car accompanied by his fiancé, Kijafa Frink with several members of a security team arranged for by his team of lawyers and advisers. The drive from Leavenworth to Vick’s Hampton home is expected to take about 19 hours.

Ultimately, Michael Vick’s goal is to rehabilitate his image and return to the NFL, but his first priority is spending time with his children and his loved ones. Vick, once the NFL’s highest-paid player, is scheduled to report to a probation officer Friday in Norfolk, Virginia. He will be allowed to leave the house to work a $10-an-hour job as a laborer for a construction company and for other limited purposes approved by his probation officer. He will be handed a new set of rules when he begins serving three years of probation after he is released.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who suspended Vick indefinitely in August 2007, has said he will review Vick’s status after his criminal case is concluded. Vick has said he wants to work with the Humane Society on a program aimed at eliminating dog fighting among urban teens.

Michael Vick’s NFL future is uncertain even if he is reinstated. He and the Atlanta Falcons have parted ways, agreeing to a contract settlement that will allow him to sign with another team. However, there are some risks; a public backlash being one and there’s no telling how much his skills have eroded after two missed seasons. One certainty is that he will not command the kind of money he once earned. Besides his 10-year, $130 million Falcons contract he had several lucrative endorsements, all lost because of the dog fighting. The minimum salary for a player with Vick’s years of experience is $620,000. Yeah, I know $620,000 a year is a lot of money, but not compared to $13 million a year plus endorsements.

Michael Vick, like anyone else who has served their time, should be given an opportunity to resume his career. The United States has always been a country of second chances. You have some remorse for what you did, apologize, go pay your price and then come back and become a better person. We have never been one strike and you’re done. “Let any of you who is without sin, cast the first stone.” I understand people love their dogs, and it was a horrible thing. But has he paid his debt? I think so. To err is human.

Dog Fighting Versus Horseracing

Horses are doing something for the pure enjoyment of humans, dogs are doing something for the enjoyment of humans, and of course the cocks are doing something for our enjoyment too. I will not even go into the rodeo. Sure dog fighting and cock fighting are wrong, but, what is the difference? Horse enthusiasts are for the most part affluent White people, and there lies the difference. The facts are that animals die in all these sports, and if you are going to ban one then you must ban them all. It seems hypocritical to me that Michael Vick and others are in jail because the dominant culture deems it animal cruelty when an animal dies from fighting as opposed to an animal that is drugged up and running until blood pours from its nose or even more dramatic breaks bones that can't be repaired. What a bunch of hypocrites. Millions of dollars are made in thoroughbred breeding and horse racing. With what goes into the training and racing of these animals there should be just as big of an uproar as when the Vick story unfolded.

Wikipedia-keyword search "Thoroughbred"
Heading-Health Issues

"Although Thoroughbreds are seen in the hunter-jumper world and in other disciplines, modern Thoroughbreds are primarily bred for speed, and racehorses have a very high rate of accidents as well as other health problems. One tenth of all Thoroughbreds suffer orthopedic problems, including fractures. Current estimates indicate that there are 1.5 career-ending breakdowns for every 1,000 horses starting a race in the United States, an average of two horses per day (730 horses a year). The state of California reported a particularly high rate of injury, 3.5 per 1000 starts. As a ratio (of injuries with eventually fatal complications to total competitions), this is far in excess of all other legal human and animal sports, including boxing, motor sports and greyhound racing. Thoroughbreds also have other health concerns, including a majority of animals who are prone to bleeding from the lungs (EIPH), 10 percent with low fertility, and 5 percent with abnormally small hearts. Thoroughbreds also tend to have smaller hooves relative to their body mass than other breeds, with thin soles and walls and a lack of cartilage mass, which contributes to foot soreness, the most common source of lameness in racehorses"