Gross: The Eagles Sign Michael Vick

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21st Century Dog Art, Contemporary Dog Art

Guilty by Ian Kim

In October of 2008, in an attempt to combat Pennsylvania's reputation as the "Puppy Mill Capitol of the East" and better the life of dogs bred in his state, Governor Ed Rendell signed into law House Bill 2525. Tonight, the Philadelphia Eagles announce they have signed Michael Vick to a one-year contract worth $1.6 million with an option to renew for $5.2 million. What is with Pennsylvania and dogs?!

I know he has paid his debt to society, and he has not officially been reinstated to the NFL by Commissioner Roger Goodell (who will decide in week six when Vick can play), but I am still appalled. I wonder how Philadelphia fans will react? What puppy mill crusaders who are very active in the state will do? What should I do? I love football. Thoughts?

9:13 pm update: Well, this is something. At least negative backlash is on their radar:

Tony Dungy, the former coach of the Colts,
has
acted as Vick’s mentor. Dungy has said that he spoke with several
head coaches about Vick, and there was a small pool of teams that would
be a good fit for Vick, particularly because team owners feared that
adverse fan reaction would follow him.Dungy has said that he spoke with
several head coaches about Vick, and there was a small pool of teams
that would be a good fit for Vick, particularly because team owners
feared that adverse fan reaction would follow him. [via NYT]

What's up with Tony Dungy, the uber-Christian?!

9:19 update: Dan Brown calls bullshit on the Eagles at The Huffington Post:

Bullshit. When the Eagles' brass introduces their pariah, I know
they're going to blather more sanctimony about second chances and
media-friendly themes of redemption. And now we– the fans– will have
to live with this garbage story all year. Commentators and beat
reporters will lap up this distraction more than they would a Manny
Ramirez-Brett Favre hybrid clone. What the Eagles ought to say is:

"We couldn't care less about Michael Vick's past, the dogs he
killed, the families he harmed, or any moral lessons anyone wants to
infer. All we are thinking about is winning the Super Bowl and we will
put any eligible player on the field we can who can possibly give us an
edge in any way."

Because that has to be the truth. If the Eagles cared in any way
about the messages they sent to pet-owners, football fans, or human
beings in general, they would never have invited this ugliness into our
house.

9:27 pm update: The Vick Dog Blog features stories from the dogs who survived Vick's Bad Newz Kennel. They deserve better than seeing their tormentor rewarded so generously.

Comments

8 responses to “Gross: The Eagles Sign Michael Vick”

August 13, 2009

Weekly NFL Picks

I tend to think people deserve 2nd chances. Hes done his time (which was only longer than 2 months because he ran a gambling ring). The things he did are unforgivable but I believe he has grown from this and is genuinely remorseful.

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August 14, 2009

Ed

I’m an Eales fan. I went to Virginia Tech. I live only a few miles from Vick. I am a dog owner. I was appalled by his dog fighting activities, but I have to believe people do not disa=qualify themselves from all of life when they do one bad thing. And do keep in mind that actual murders, wife beaters and drug dealers are playing in good standard in the NFL without anyone batting an eye. I’d err on reserving my scorn for the people who have killed and injured people without going to jail.

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August 14, 2009

Julie Milazzo

From ASPCA:
“Mr. Vick participated in a six-year pattern of illegal activity. His plea clearly stated that along with these activities, he savagely electrocuted and beat dogs to death after they lost their brutal fights. It is this barbarism that sets the crime apart. This was not a one-time transgression or crime of passion—this was a multi-year pattern of behavior that demonstrates a startling lack of moral character and judgment.” Is this the role model you want for your kids? I’m realy ashamed of the Eagles!

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August 14, 2009

Sue

I don’t think he has earned the right to play pro football again as if nothing ever happened. Sure he did his time, so let him go get a job like anyone else, but not where he can pass himself off as a role model for kids.
He had his chance and he blew it big time.

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August 14, 2009

Moira

I think the ASPCA (quoted above in the comments section) got it right. Michael Vick tortured and brutalized helpless dogs for profit and entertainment for 6 years. Then he lied about it. Only then did he have “remorse,” when he was facing jail time. Even in his press conference this morning offers up the excuse that dog fighting is “part of his culture.”
I agree with Sue. He can get back into society on his own. I am disgusted with Tony Dungy for mentoring this guy back into the NFL. Aren’t there hundreds of other young ambitious talented men you could have given your time too?
Now, the NFL and NBC, who try harder and harder every year to bathe football in the glory of family and tradition and good ol’ American sportsmanship are going to shove this guy in our faces every Sunday. Dog fighting may have been a part of Michael Vick’s culture, but I don’t want him to be a part of mine. It is shameful these corporations have let this guy back in.

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August 16, 2009

Christine

I am from Philadelphia. I take a lot of pride in being a Philly girl, but I am no longer an Eagles fan. I’m so disgusted by this. I think you said it perfectly with “I don’t want him to be a part of mine,” Moira. I can’t change the Eagles’ decision, but I can choose to no longer support the Eagles, or their sponsors.

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August 16, 2009

Moira

Christine – I am so sorry for your loss. I mean that sincerely. I am gaga for football and I get so excited every fall when it starts. I am sickened that Vick is now in the midst of it. And I can’t imagine what it must be like for Eagles fans. Your team really turned it around last year, and for the optimism of a new season to be so horrifically dashed must have been shocking.
I really don’t think the NFL, NBC, Reid and Dungy and the rest of the brain trust who made this decision understand the passion behind people’s revulsion. I think those who believe Vick deserves a second chance in the NFL so soon are no where near as passionate and furious as those who don’t. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. I think it will be a disaster, though I am not sure how. People are not rational about their love for their dogs. And I think that will register on the Eagles bottom line somehow. I am hoping it will be like when the public simply rejected the publishing of O.J.s book about his wife’s brutal murder.
Yes, people do make mistakes, but Dante had 9 levels of hell. All evil is not equal. And there is such a thing as pathology. And psychopathology.
I’ll leave it at that. But I am watching and I commend your boycott. Keep me posted on any Philly developments.
And why not root for the Browns this year? (Go Cleveland!)

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August 20, 2009

Bob Sisko

I have had passion for the Eagles for 35 years. When I heard the news they signed Vick it was like someone I loved was gone. Donovan McNabb lobbied to get him here and I will no longer support the Eagles, they are dead to me.
So sad.

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