[PetScribe]

Yesterday I wrote a blog I wasn't expecting to see so many comments on. (Disturbing Support for Michael Vick)

Many good points were raised, ones I hadn't even considered. (Like how other players who committed manslaughter have been allowed to return to the NFL so why shouldn't Vick?)

What do you think? Should Vick be allowed to return to playing for the NFL once he's served whatever sentence he might get? (If he even gets one.) Or should he continue to be made an example of and not be allowed back?

Either reply to this or cast your vote with the poll.

[mcmama]

I vote no, and here is why. What he did to the animals was in the name of sport, an illegal sport. We use animals for sport, such as racing. When sport animals are abused, humane organizations can take action.

He used dogs for an illegal sport, and abused them to profit at it. Being that he is a professional athlete, this is an ethical violation of sporting conduct, and he should be banned.

Athletes make mistakes, commit crimes, etc. This is a crime against the animals, but also against the system of organized sports and legal gambling. He should not be allowed to play on a pro level.

[twinzplus3]

While I admit that's an interesting argument. . .I still say that after he's served his time he should be allowed to go back. . .but then again maybe not. . .

I'm not sure what 'action' humane organizations can take other than using their powers to draw attention to it, and sway opinion via finances and bad publicity. It is the NFL that gets to decide whether or not Vick can go back and more specifically the commissioner, Roger Goodell.

The fact that Vick committed a crime against legalized gambling and the system of organized is irrelevant to me. It's actually pretty irrelevant to the NFL too. (They only care if you bet on your own sport.)

More than 1 in 5 players on the NFL has been charged with at least one serious crime. That includes rapes, domestic violence, kidnapping, drunk driving (where an actual person was actually killed), murder, possession of illegal weapons and drugs.

There is no doubt that what Vick did was disgusting to say the very least but how is that worse than. . murder, repeated DUI's, kidnapping (that story goes along with the dometic violence), etc. Just because it was a crime against organized sports and he's an athlete doesn't mean it should be punished more harshly than manslaughter or rape. They are all serious but the NFL should do exactly what it has done in the past with other felons. . .which unfortunately has been to let them play. Or at least that was my original thought. . .

But as my dh and I were talking about this (because of course this would seriously change our fantasty football draft lists) he pointed out something I hadn't realized and that is that Roger Goodell is new. He has not even been commissioner long enough to see 'real' games. And apparently he has kicked guys off of teams left and right for conduct that was 'unbecoming'. However, none of those guys have had prison sentences. . .which Vick will have when (and if) he's eligible. The NFL has also added a newer (or tougher) violent crimes clause in their contracts which has yet to be tested.

So what I'd like to see is consistency. If the NFL is no longer hiring felons despite their popularity then great. May he be banned for life along with any other player brazen enough to commit a crime. One thing is for sure, I won't be feeling badly for him either way.

[MissyChrissy]

My opinion is based 100% on emotion & 0% on any laws...but I don't think he should be allowed to play NFL again. Those poor dogs will never be "allowed" to have lovings homes and fun lives...why should he?

[twinzplus3]

Yeah but if PETA (which is the driving publicity force in this) and other animals rights organizations were so concerned about the dogs. . .why did they allow the ones that weren't claimed (over 50) to be euthanized? While it certainly is a more humane way to die. . .it reaks hypocrisy to me.

[mcmama]

Where are you going to place those dogs? Some of them should not be put with families, people, or other dogs.

Being for ethical treatment of animals does not mean that you can or should adopt them all.

[twinzplus3]

I know but it just seems so hypocritical to me. We're for the ethical treatment of animals and since this guy is bad. . .we should jail him and end his career. But that guy over there just raped someone--not as big of a deal. Oh and by the way we euthanized the dogs bc no one claimed them.

To me it just seems like spitting in the face of other players' other victims. Like I said though, if Goodell sets a precendent for harsher punishments for felons and this is how he runs the NFL as commissioner--then I'm all for Vick never coming back. JMHO though.

[MissyChrissy]

I don't think putting those dogs down humanely is hypocritical at all. What else could/should have been done with them? They would never be suitable as pets. Is it sad? Absolutely-it's a waste and a shame. Vick should get torn to death by his own mistreated dogs-if there's any justice at all...but you know that's never going to happen.

At least a rapist will get his own when he goes to prison. You know that does happen there.

[katrinasurvivor]

My son gave me money to bet in Las vegas for him. Guess what, he/I won. He was delighted. So we now have Vick who says he financed the dog fights. well you better believe he didn't do it for nothing! He took profit from the missery and torture of man'sbest friend. Mistake? Yes, for young people to use him as a role model. Sorry? Just like all the others behind bars, for driving drunk and killing innocent people. Wake up people. SICK IS SICK AND MONEY CAN'T BUY EVERYTHING..

[mcmama]

Any involvement in illegal gambling is troublesome for allowing a player to continue in professional sports. Maybe a more appropriate thing to compare it to is Pete Rose in baseball. And he is banned for life. He never killed anything either (except the ball). There are people who think because now that he is old, the ban ought to be lifted so that he can be honored for being the truly great athlete he was.

If you are involved in an illegal gambling operation to the point of "financing" it and "fixing" things by destroying the animals that don't "perform" then it sure becomes a lot easier to "Fix" a game like Pete Rose did.

I don't know if Rose still deserves to be banned or not, but Vick should not be allowed back in. He's a crook, and a cruel one at that.