Michael Vick Signed to NFL; Howling Controversy

Ex-Convict quarterback Michael Vick, fresh from his prison sentence for dog fighting and animal cruelty, was scooped up by Philadelphia’s NFL team. He appeared on the CBS 60 Minutes program yesterday, in the “Celebrity Contrition” feature usually reserved for adulterer politicians and film star drug addicts.

Philadephia quarterback Donovan McNabb hounded his team to hire Mr. Vick, knowing the press would dog his every step and leave other players in peace. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell ruled that Mr. Vick would have to stay on the sidelines and sit out the first part of the season before rolling over into official play. He is undergoing obedience training under Philadelphia Offensive Coordinator Cesar Millan Marty Mornhinweg, public service training with the Humane Society,  and sensitivity training with Triumph, the comedy dog.

 

Image by Mike Licht. Download a copy here. Creative Commons license; credit Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com

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Michael Vick Fighting Fish Scandal!

NFL Reinstates Vick, Limits Pets to Turtles, Goldfish, read the headline. Little did they know about the dark underworld of Siamese Fighting Fish combat.

There’s just no stopping hard-core aquarium action addicts.

 

Image by Mike Licht. Download a copy here. Creative Commons license; credit Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com

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Michael Vick — Victim or Violence-Fighter?

Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, now a free agent after release from federal prison, may be eligible for an NFL contract. Reports, citing unnamed sources, say NFL Commisioner Roger Goodell may force any club hiring Mr. Vick to make him sit out the first four games of the 2009 season.

Some football fans see this as unnecessary roughness, even “double jeapardy,” additional punishment for a man who has served his time and literally paid the price for his role in a dog-fighting ring. On the other hand, many of America’s 60 million dog owners will never forgive Mr. Vick for his role in a cruel and illegal blood sport.

But Commissioner Goodell’s decision may be more a matter of timing than punishment. Mr. Vick is scheduled to start a public service campaign for the Humane Society of the United States next week, and the NFL season starts September 10th. A final decision about putting Mr. Vick  on the field could be postponed until October, enough time for his HSUS campaign to show if it has real bite. The NFL — and team owners — would be wise to see how the public reacts to the sports star’s anti-dogfighting activities before putting him back on the field.

 

Image by Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com

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