Why Michael Vick Deserves a Second Chance.
Categories: Leadership, Life Journies, Thoughts
I’m both excited and deeply saddened by the events surrounding Michael Vick’s return to the National Football League.
It’s great that the Philadelphia Eagles have signed a quarterback who can fit their style and system with an aging – yet still highly effective – Donovan McNabb at the helm. It’s also awesome that Andy Reid and Jeff Lurie have the intestinal fortitude to take a chance on a man who deserves it. As an Eagles fan, I support their decision and embrace it for Vick and the team.
The thing that really disturbs me is how many people believe that Michael Vick doesn’t deserve another chance and that corporate sponsors should withdraw their support of the Philadelphia Eagles. REALLY???
What Vick did was illegal and it was a terrible crime. I am not going to disagree with this. What I am amazed at is that so many Americans and other people in the world want to burn him at the stake for killing animals, yet some of these same people don’t shed an once of concern for the killing of unborn babies or the horrendous genocide going on in other countries. I love animals but they are not people, and when our values are focused more on a creature than a human, there is something wrong with society and our hearts.
Furthermore, I have to say that every person deserves a second chance.
How many times have we committed crimes as a nation or individuals? Don’t we want forgiveness as much as the next guy? Maybe we have never done something as terrible as Michael Vick did but a crime is a crime; a sin is a sin. We all deserve forgiveness if we are truly remorseful of our actions, and we should be slow to judge whether that person seeking forgiveness is authentic or not. Lets put this thing in perspective and move past it!
And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. Mark 11:25
Well said. I’m an Atlanta guy, though I was never a huge Vick fan. I think he’s an amazing athlete and was in awe of his ability. I couldn’t agree more with your take that there are people out there with their priorities out of whack so much that they seem to place greater value on the life, safety and treatment of animals over people. “Are you kidding me?” Is my typical response. To think that so many folks are so ready to totally write him off without a second chance is so heartbreaking. EVERYONE deserves a second chance. That’s not to say they are absolved from consequences of their actions. I think time in prison, bankruptcy, and everything else he’s gone through and will continue to go through is plenty of punishment. Forgiveness is most important and I thank you for sharing your thoughts.
And one last thing…Go Falcons!!! Beat the Eagles!!!
Kevin,
Thanks for your thoughts and couldn’t agree more – except that the Falcons will beat the Eagles!
Totally agree with you James.
I’m constantly stunned at the value placed on animals over people.
The other problem I have with this specific case is that the NFL isn’t exactly a bastion of morality, so why does Vick get the boots put to him to this extent? Seems like people can always find a way to label others as worse than (think) they are.
It’s not that he, or we, deserve a second chance. But we can choose to exercise grace towards others as we want to receive it ourselves.