Michael Vick Should NEVER Play In The NFL Again!

 'I look good in dis suit dough....'

I have followed Michael Vick since his high school career in Virginia, through his years at Virginia Tech and to the Atlanta Falcons.  It's been hard not to be amazed by all that is Michael Vick.  On the field, it seemed he could do anything.  As a quarterback, he's been the most athletic player in the history of the game.  Off the field, as we have found out in recent weeks, it seems he can also do anything...amazingly in poor, sad taste.

I am completely and utterly disgusted with Michael Vick.  Hey, he flipped off his fans last season.  So be it, the competitive nature gets ahold of people at times and they lose it.  I understand.  A secret compartment in his water bottle that smelled like marijuana?  No biggie, charges were not pressed so you can't really hold it against him, can you?  Or can you? 

In July of this year, Vick and three other men were charged by federal authorities with felony charges of operating an unlawful six-year long interstate dogfighting venture known as 'Bad News Kennels' at Vick's 15-acre property in Surry County, Virginia.  Vick was accused of financing the operation, directly participating in dog fights and executions, and personally handling thousands of dollars in related gambling activities. 

Vick agreed to a plea bargain for the federal charges on August 20 and will plead guilty to a single felony conspiracy charge on August 27.  He and the three other men are expected to each receive federal prison sentences between 12 months and a maximum of five years.  His sentencing date has not yet been set.  Possible state charges in Virginia in the matter have not yet been determined, but a grand jury will meet on September 25.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell directed Vick not to report to training camp and has stated that he wants the legal processs to run its course before he rules on Vick's future in the league.  Today, August 24, 2007, Goodell indefinitely suspended Vick without pay.  In a letter from the Commissioner to Vick informing him of the suspension, Goodell states 'Even if you personally did not place bets, as you contend, your actions in funding the betting and your association with illegal gambling both violate the terms of your NFL Player Contract and expose you to corrupting influences in derogation of one of the most fundamental responsibilities of an NFL player.'  In addition to making Vick's playing future in the NFL doubtful, the suspension also allows for the Atlanta Falcons to 'assert any claims or remedies' to recover the $22 million signing bonus from Vick's 2004 contract.'

If I were to play Devil's advocate, I would have to say that Michael Vick was not brought up in the best situation.  His mother and father were 16 and 17 respectively when he was born.  His parents had three other children, lived in a public housing project named 'Ridley Circle Homes' that was financially depressed and a crime-riddled area.  They lived in one of the worst areas of Newport News where drive-by shootings, drug dealers and other killing's were 'common occurences.' 

It's hard to throw the book at Vick, but what else are you supposed to do?  Give him some time off to think about the problems he has caused himself, the Atlanta Falcons players, fans and the city of Atlanta?  Bring him back in a couple of years?  He will be nearly 30 in a couple years and his skills will soon start to diminish.  Would another team in the NFL want to give Vick a shot? 

I'm sorry, but with what I have learned recently, my contention is Michael Vick should never play in the NFL again.  I left out the nice details of how Vick actually killed these dogs because they are unnecessary, but are a vital reason in my decision.  It's incomprehensible how a human being can do what he has done to these dogs.  Vick also lied to Arthur Blank, owner of the Falcons, by saying he had 'nothing' to do with the dog fighting ring.  Enough said.  I never want to see Vick again in the National Football League. 

** Read more about the plea bargain at ESPN.com here.