Randy Inman
Bruce Bostwick
James Rickard
jesse-podoll
Robin PottratzMichael Vick getting out of jail early
February 26th 2009 23:29
Somehow life just isn't fair. After being pleading guilty to bankrolling a dog fighting operation and being sentenced to 23 months in prison, former Atlanta Falcon quarterback Michael Vick is being released from the slammer because of over crowding at the half way house where he was scheduled to finish his sentence.
Rather than being in a jail, Vick will be allowed to return home, serve the final months of his sentence wearing an electronic monitoring device and permitted to leave his residence for activities approved by his probation officer.
This brings up one question among NFL fans. When and were will he play ball again? Vick has already stated that he wants to return to professional football following his July release. However, Commissioner Roger Goodell stands in his way because Goodell suspended Vick without pay and has said he will review his status following all legal proceedings. Further, the Falcons have stated they will try and trade Vick's contract rights to another team. Another hurdle facing Vick is the fact that several teams have no interest in him because of possible backlash.
So, where WILL VIck play? Dallas is a clusterf*** parading as a football team. It seems appropriate for him play there. On the other hand, Oakland has a history of renegade players. Wherever he ends up, this story isn't over!
You can read more about Michael Vick here or here.
image from wikipedia.org
Rather than being in a jail, Vick will be allowed to return home, serve the final months of his sentence wearing an electronic monitoring device and permitted to leave his residence for activities approved by his probation officer.
Vick in the 2006 Pro Bowl
So, where WILL VIck play? Dallas is a clusterf*** parading as a football team. It seems appropriate for him play there. On the other hand, Oakland has a history of renegade players. Wherever he ends up, this story isn't over!
You can read more about Michael Vick here or here.
image from wikipedia.org
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Comment by Randy Inman
Waxing Political
Football Dogz
NCstuff
Comment by James Rickard
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Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
Comment by James Rickard
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Comment by James Rickard
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Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
Comment by jesse-podoll
UnSportsman
Sports News From the Northwest
Does (or can) he come out of prison rehabilitated? Isn't that the point of going to jail? To rehabilitate, to change, to be a better person?
Vick's sentence was 23 months. It's up in July. The halfway house he was supposed to go to to finish his sentence (the same right given to EVERY OTHER PRISIONER for like charges) was full. Full with other crimnals that are probably slightly more of a risk then Vick. With all the eyes/cameras/reporters on Vick, he's not even going to be able to blink without it being reported - whereas if someone in that halfway house still had bad intentions - they might be able to sneak off from a house arrest situation.
In all, I completly despise what Vick has done. But he's paid his time. The time that was sentenced to him by our judicial system for committing the crimes. Last I checked - no where in the sentencing did it say that after he had served his time that he could no longer continue with his life.
Especially considering he plays in the NFL... let's not pretend it's known for it's pristine player image. In fact, in "Pros and Cons, The Criminals That Play in the NFL", authors Jeff Benedict and Don Yeager, estimate that of the 1996/97 NFL players, 21% competed with criminal records, up to and including allegations of rape and assault. And that was 10 years ago - imagine that number today... Pacman, Tank, Lynch, any Bengal...
If I have to sum it up - I'd use this old addage: "Don't hate the player - hate the game". (Read "game" as either the NFL, or the US Judicial system, because obviously for some - their punishment wasn't enough).
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
Comment by jesse-podoll
UnSportsman
Sports News From the Northwest
But I fail to see the correlation of your analogy - he's not returning to anything having to do with dogs. IE - he's not being hired as the owner of a dog grooming salon.
In fact, I recall that part of his sentence (at least while he's on probation after he gets out - I'm not sure about life time ban) is he is not allowed to own a dog, or go to places where dogs are prevalent - ie: dog parks, pet stores, etc. Though I can't find anything that backs that up.
I guess it just hits home a little - as someone very close to me - a drafted Vietnam vet - an ex-drug addict - an ex-alcoholic - who has been convicted and served jail time - has owned their own tavern for going on 30 years now and has been nothing short of a pillar of the community and even serves on the City Council. If 30 years ago, someone would have said 'we don't want to grant you a business/liquor license because we don't want to put that temptation in front of you" - where might this person be today?
I'm not saying he should be allowed near dogs - I'm just failing to see how the NFL can punish him above and beyond the United States can... I understand all the PR and public outcry concerns that a team or even the league would take over letting him back in - but he's done - he's served his time, right? I wouldn't be surprised if he turns this around and is able to sue the NFL if they won't reinstate him.
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
Comment by jesse-podoll
UnSportsman
Sports News From the Northwest
Though it may seem like I am sticking up for Vick - I'm really sticking up for the US Judicial system. I believe that Vick has been judged, found guilty, sentenced, and paid for his crimes - I don't believe that the NFL should be able to punish him above and beyond what the United States of America already has. By allowing the NFL to punish him again - it is basically saying that the NFL has more power then the United States, right?
Suspended him - sure. Ban him from ever returning - no.
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
Comment by jesse-podoll
UnSportsman
Sports News From the Northwest
Pete Rose - was busted for crimes directly involving the sport that he played in. He was never tried on the Federal level for that crime - nor did he serve jail time for the offense. (Though he later served jail time for tax evasion)
Shoeless Joe (I apologize in advance for "going off" on this one - but I believe 100% that Shoeless Joe was innocent, you could call this my "pet peeve")- but again, busted for something directly related to the sport he played in.
Not to mention Jackson always proclaimed his innocence and in recent years it appears more and more that that was true. For instance, Jackson initially refused to take a payment of $5,000, only to have Lefty Williams toss it on the floor of his hotel room. Jackson then tried to tell White Sox owner Charles Comiskey about the fix, but Comiskey refused to meet with him. Also, before Jackson's grand jury testimony, team attorney Alfred Austrian coached Jackson's testimony in a manner that would be considered highly unethical even by the standards of the time, and would probably be considered criminal by today's standards. For instance, Austrian got Jackson to admit a role in the fix by pouring a large amount of whiskey down Jackson's throat. He also got the nearly illiterate Jackson to sign a waiver of immunity. Years later, the other seven players implicated in the scandal confirmed that Jackson was never at any of the meetings. Williams, for example, said that they only mentioned Jackson's name to give their plot more credibility. Add on top of that his stats in the 1919 series - and you see my point. And he was aquitted in 1921 of all charges and any wrong doing...
Mike Tyson - This is close to the Vick situation. He was sentenced, served his time, and was allowed to box again. If anything - this goes to prove my point that Vick should be reinstated with no further punishment from the NFL. Also - State charges - not Federal.
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
My whole point was that some celebrities (singers and movie stars) can get away with all kinds of things while sports stars seem to get the brunt of the punishment. Maybe I wasn't clear enough... I should have expanded on the theme, earlier.
Considering the careers and livelihoods involved, you'd think the people who enjoy the limelight would protect it a little more carefully, wouldn't you? Their actions can have a much bigger impact on their futures than "regular folks."
Comment by jesse-podoll
UnSportsman
Sports News From the Northwest
I don't intend to be rude or standoffish - so if I'm coming across that way - I'm sorry - not the intent. Just trying to get some good cross-talk going.
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
Comment by Randy Inman
Waxing Political
Football Dogz
NCstuff
Pacman Jones did worse and is playing, his crimes involved people getting shot and shot at. Vick deserves another chance.
Comment by James Rickard
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Comment by Anonymous
GO VICK!!!