Woe is Michael Vick: Will He Really Suffer in the Long Run?

Michael Vick.

The name right now says it all – one of infamy, life and a profitable career wasted.

Right now, all the pundits on the TV talk shows, radio and in print wonder about the fate of Michael Vick and if he’ll truly suffer. Fans who were enthralled with his athletic prowess wonder if he’ll ever come back, or deserves to do so.

On Monday, he pleaded guilty in Richmond, Va. to a dog fighting charge in federal court. As well, as part of his plea, he also admitted bankrolling a dog-breeding enterprise where his animals engaged in fights for money.

Lest we forget, he’s been accused of torturing and killing numerous dogs, all pit bulls.

Most likely, Mr. Vick will spend at least a year incarcerated in federal prison, and will face a lengthy suspension from the National Football League.

Now let’s be honest with ourselves. Is he really going to suffer – I mean really?

I have no sympathy for a stupid, egotistical, ornery millionaire athlete who blew his perfect life, but there are faceless people in America who know the true definition of suffering.

I was home on Monday, and for the most part, every network outlet and cable channel covered the case as if it was one of national importance, much like if a standing United States president was ever impeached for high crimes. In my mind, watching the coverage, I was thinking in my mind, “geez, what does this case say about American culture, our fascination with celebrity and the role of athletic achievement?”

I am not even upset at the gambling or he going to dog-fighting matches, he's lost my respect as a person for lying, his overall arrogance, and the torture of pets he engaged in.

It's almost like he thought he'd get away with the crime, and his lawyers and handlers would take care of him.

Why he would engage in this behavior and throw his life away? This was a man praised, loved and admired not for who he is as a person, but only for his physical gifts – mainly, throwing a football better than most living people and having the legs to shake any defender on the turf.

Again, is Vick truly going to suffer?

Personally, I actually do think the hoopla over this has gone way overboard, and I am even shocked a lot more people are upset over dogs, than let's say assault, or sexual crimes or murder. In every major American city from Washington D.C. to Dallas to Los Angeles, there is a murder, assault, or an abduction that takes place on a daily basis.

The fact of the matter is Mr. Vick committed a serious felony, and he's got to be culpable for his deeds.

However, do those who truly suffer in this country deserve any less sympathy than a man whose coverage has been overblown in the media?

Michael Vick is surely in trouble, but can his bad luck compare with a missing child, Katrina victim waiting for a FEMA trailer, an innocent man accidentally jailed, those honestly down on their luck, or a young teen whose body has been found in a ditch or on an urban street?

Is the life of a football player who will be still wealthy once he’s free take more importance the life of a man, woman or child who is really suffering?

Sure he’s lost his endorsements, his hero status, career and the respect of fans and peers, but are things really going to be that bad for Michael Vick?

It’s something that makes you go, hmm….

I don't advocate barring him from making a living in the NFL, but he'll never be what he was ever again.

Moreover, I really don’t care – I see him for what he is, an athlete and that’s all. What makes me sick is that we have a select group of fans who want Michael Vick back, not because of fairness, but because he’s good at football and forget those who truly have it far worse than him.

However; employment, whether being a garbage man or a football player is a privilege, not a God-given right.

Mr. Vick is the Horatio Alger story gone completely wrong, but in light of his sentence and future suspension from the NFL, he’ll be fine in comparison to the rest of us.

America gives people a second chance routinely; alas, he'll have to be truly remorseful and make serious changes.

However, tens of thousand of people get murdered each year, all almost tragically, but yet America gives celebrities all the coverage – whether they deserve it not. Some, if not all do not get that second chance.

Really, when it comes down to it, Michael Vick will not really know the meaning of suffering, because they are tens of thousands of nameless people who know it already.

Michael Vick Pleads Guilty...

It looks like Michael Vick has accepted a plea deal.

What a shame and a waste...

According to CNN: NFL quarterback Michael Vick accepted a deal Monday to plead guilty to federal conspiracy charges involving an illegal dogfighting operation, according to the Virginian-Pilot newspaper. "Mike's accepting full responsibility," one of Vick's lawyers told the newspaper.

The Saga of Michael Vick: Boy, Are You Quiet...

Mr. Vick, was there absolutely any reason you could have not spoke for yourself yesterday? One would think that you would have PR team in place, your lawyers at hand and have the ability to defend yourself and proclaim your innocence in the public domain.

I mean, if I was your in position and was in a world of trouble, I’d be so defiant and would articulate my case that I’d shout it from the rooftops.

Instead, there’s no public statement by Michael Vick.

What a shame.

The Idiot File: Michael Vick

* photo from ESPN.com via Getty Images...

Seriously, need I say any more?

Whether or not you get convicted, plead guilty or whatever; Mr. Vick, you are at minimum naive and need to use much better judgment, at worst, you're a sociopath who probably deserves to be locked up.

Folks, one would think a man who has the sporting world at his fingertips had not better get himself into any trouble, and would keep those who are liabilities away from him.

That could be further from the truth. Time and time again, athletes in society are treated with kid gloves and are given chance after chance because of their talent and their ability to make money for their team, endorsers and themselves.

For you all people who love this guy -- do you know him? I mean, I am not trying to pass judgment on anyone (ok, I am in this instance), but hero worship is a dangerous thing and Mr. Vick is exhibit A, B and C.

He got away with alleged sexual assault (how we are more upset over dogs, I have no idea), walking through a TSA security check point with drugs along with flipping the bird in front of Atlanta Falcon fans.

Whether or not he wants to be a role model is fine with me; however, when you are the face of a league, a multi-millionaire and a professional athlete who represents a region, you have to carry yourself with more class than the average person.

Even though most professional athletes are decent, hard-working people who have a gift from God, Michael Vick's alleged behavior has given athletes a black eye.

At the point, it does not matter if he gets locked up or not, he's ruined his career, cost himself millions and the respect of fans all over the world.

If there's a shining light, consider Ray Lewis. Some people still look at him with disdain, but for the most part, he's come back and earned the respect of his peers, those in the media and fans.

Mr. Vick, everyone deserves a second chance, and if you get off the charges against you, perhaps the first thing that needs to happen is to consult Mr. Lewis.

Another Athlete Yet in Trouble Again…

Michael Vick likes to have his weed. Too bad he might get into trouble for it.

From the Miami Herald:

“Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was reluctant to throw away his 20-ounce water bottle at a Miami International Airport security checkpoint Wednesday morning.

The reason, police say: The plastic bottle had a secret compartment that, when opened, had a dark residue and a pungent odor of marijuana.”

Link: http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/16484544.htm

He’s lucky that he even got on the plane. If he did that in Washington D.C., he’d be promptly whisked out of the line and taken immediately for questioning.

Apparently, officials are now checking the bottle to see if it has residue of marijuana or other illicit drugs. If it does, he could possibly be charged with drug possession or other federal offenses.

Here’s more from the article:

“Eventually, Vick left the bottle behind and went to his gate. But his initial reluctance to do so aroused the suspicion of Transportation Security Administration screener Gertrude Joseph. She pulled the bottle out of a recycle bin and notified her supervisor when she discovered its hidden compartment … ''The concealed compartment contained a small amount of dark particulate and a pungent aroma closely associated with marijuana,'' Miami-Dade Detective Kevin Kozak wrote in his report. ``The top half contained a small amount of clear liquid. When held upright the bottle appeared to be half full of water.''

Nice. Why do people feel the need to sneak drugs onto a plane? Is he foolish? Just another incident in a line of what lengths people will go through to make sure they fulfill their vices.

Not to say that he is his brother, Marcus, but do athletes think about the potential repercussions might do their reputation and their endorsement deals? This incident by Vick might be on the minor scale, but would he not think that he could be potentially soiled by breaking the law?

If I were in his shoes, I’d think twice about anything I’d do – seriously. It’s weird to me that people who are so high profile do utterly stupid and reckless things.