I feel I need to weigh in here on the whole Vick thing, and while it's my view of the facts, it still bothers me how pious and hypocritical people are. And no, I'm absolutely NOT taking a shot at anyone here, honest!
People want Vick hung in the Town Square for all to spit on his dead body, yet very few actually spent the time to listen and read the actual reports on what happened. While he is absolutely not without blame, most people's views on him are skewed because they just didn't listen. Vick never actually participated in any dog fighting. His crime was owning the property it was done on, and knowing about it but not stopping it. Again, not without blame, but that is a very major point that most people never knew about. I'm not going to try to make excuses for him, because it's not my place to. However, the main culprit, who got away with it scott free entirely, was his cousin. Family bonds being what they are, I can kind of see why Vick took the fall for his cousin. Furthermore, this took place during a time when all of a sudden, the lawyers and courts were going after any and all celebrities to make a name for themselves. See, it worked out wonderfully for the lawyers during the O.J. trial, and since then, lawyers and judges have been trying to duplicate that fame and success. Hell, just last week, "Snooki" or whatever her name is from Jersey Shore was arrested and fined for being topless on a beach in Jersey, that according to locals, happens all the time, and there were MANY others doing the same at that exact same time she was arrested. Why was she arrested? Because she's hot news. Why was Vick arrested and prosecuted and not his cousin? Because his cousin isn't news. Then take his Birthday party last year. Vick's wife threw the party, his cousin showed up and started acting like the thug he is and fired off his gun, so instead of trying to make a bad situation worse, he got in his car with his wife and bodyguard and left his own party and home, yet they want to once again flay him alive.
The hypocritical part of all this is this: Let's take a look at Ray Lewis. Does anyone out there remember when he was on trial for MURDER? Where he got off on a techincality? The Prosecution had enough evidence to put him away, and a small techincal error freed him, and now he's loved and respected in the NFL because he's a hard hitter. SO, according to the public opinion, dogs are more highly regarded and valued than humans. And don't get me wrong, I'm a dog lover!
Vick stood up and acted like a man. He did have implicit guilt in the whole thing and took his medicine. He served his time, and I do believe his full time, not the usual BS they hand out to celebs. He paid the price of his family loyalty, and now he's back. And like Mandalore the Skepsis said, I think he gives Philly a playoff shot WAY over that Kolb piece of crap. Hell, did you see the numbers? -3 Passing yards by Kolb in the first half. Vick brought them back from an 18 point deficit to within one touchdown in one half of play. Not bad.
I loved Vick when he was with Atlanta, and took it kinda hard when he got into his mess. Even knowing the fact, I was still disappointed and glad I didn't buy that Vick jersey I had in my shopping cart. But I also believe in second chances, for the most part. Murderers and child molesters? Not so much. But if Ray Lewis can play happily in the NFL in all his glory, why can't we let Vick have his second chance and cheer him on to do great?
Sorry for my tirade. I honestly have no idea why this topic gets to me so much!
