Obama Lauds Michael Vick's Second Chance

AP Photo/Kathy Willens

Updated 7 p.m. ET

President Obama has voiced his approval of the second chance Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick is getting this season, just a year removed from serving 18 months in federal prison on charges related to a dog fighting ring.

Peter King of Sports Illustrated and NBC Sports reported Monday that Mr. Obama recently called Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie to praise the team for giving Vick a chance.

Lurie said Mr. Obama told him that "So many people who serve time never get a fair second chance," King reported on SI.com.

Lurie said Mr. Obama was "passionate about it," adding that the president said "it's never a level playing field for prisoners when they get out of jail. And he was happy that we did something on such a national stage that showed our faith in giving someone a second chance after such a major downfall.''

White House spokesman Bill Burton, traveling with the president in Honolulu, confirmed that the call took place:

"The president did place a call to Mr. Lurie to discuss plans for the use of alternative energy at Lincoln Financial Field, during which they spoke about that and other issues.  He of course condemns the crimes that Michael Vick was convicted of but, as he's said previously, he does think that individuals who have paid for their crimes should have an opportunity to contribute to society again."

Vick joined the Eagles last year following his release from prison, but didn't play much. But he took the starting quarterback job early this year, and has led the team to the playoffs while compiling numbers some think are worthy of him winning the league's MVP award.

However, he has continued to spark controversy over his past, especially when he recently said in an interview that he would like to own a dog again.

"What happened in my past and what I did in the culture I grew up in doesn't shape and mold me as the person I am now," Vick said in an interview as he seeks to be redeemed in the public's eyes. "I said it before that I wish I can own a dog and I'll continue to say it. I'm not allowed to, but I'm just saying I wish I could because my kids ask me every day. It's more so for them than for me."

King also reported that Mr. Obama and Lurie discussed the team's plans to install wind turbines and solar panels at Lincoln Financial Field in a bid to "run the first self-sufficient alternative-energy sports stadium in the country."

[misshousepenny]

I hope that President Obama was not well informed about the kind of violence Michael Vick and his friends committed when he called the Philadelphia Eagles to congratulate them for giving Mr. Vick a second chance. Supporting Michael Vick will cost him this woman's vote in 2012.

[cdurant2000]

I for one strongly believe that Michael Vick was WRONGLY CONVICTED. If you think I am crazy, read my compelling argument below. Trust me, it is NOT what you might think:

http://chrisdurant2000.wordpress.com/2011/01/02/michael-vick-was-wrongly-convicted/

[MikeyR1263]

I just wanna say something to everyone. i'll put any amount of money on this... when we all found out about what vick did we all were shocked and flat out hated him...now that the eagles are winning vicks the man and everyone forgot what he did. its okay that he killed dogs because the eagles are doin there thing ...really because of him..so all I gotta say is 4 those people who hated him but now like him cuz the eagles are winning are all hypocrites

[kimberlymid]

Why is Obama adding his 2 cents on a topic like this anyway? Isn't he our political/government leader? How does any of that fit in with the NFL and animal abuse? Did one of Obama's advisors suggest the comment? If so, he probably had to read it, as he's been having some issues thinking things through on his own. He stepped aside for B. Clinton to talk as he announced he was headed out and already running 30 minutes late to meet the first lady for dinner. WHAT? Can't upset her. Do we really have a LEADER in this country?

[kimberlymid]

Obama: "President Obama has voiced his approval of the second chance Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick is getting this season, just a year removed from serving 18 months in federal prison on charges related to a dog fighting ring."

Lets just show those darling little girls of his that it is okay to do what he has done, do some easy time and not lose a thing. He should also show them the pictures. I personally think he should have a domestic violence charge on his record for life. It was at his house and I can sure come up with many words for him that describe what he did in addition to a mere "violence".

[crawdad49]

lobama is sticking up for a dog killer and wants to make things that are illegal legal. can't we impeach? he is no good for this country. vote him out.

[looneytoons60]

He is not sticking up for a dog killer, he is saying it was nice to give Vick a chance to prove himself as a good human being.

[crawdad49]

lobama should see some of the photos of the dogs vick had chewed up-why would anybody vote for that scummer? hook vick up in a pen and let a pissed off pitbull chew his face up a little and then hook up 220 electric to his nuts and give him a few real good shots and see it the scum plays ball.

[c_etude]

I don't understand why Obama is kissing Vick's posterior. Maybe Obama got a hard on for Vick??? Just guessing. I can't figure it out.

[looneytoons60]

Maybe we should do that to you or your family since you wish it on another human being.

[c_etude]

I hope football players will CRASH against Vick's chest and break a few ribs and not just injure cartilage. I'm still hoping one day soon SICK THUG VICK will have a massive stroke and end up in a nursing home with his arms and legs contracted and bed sore and excrement constantly dirtying up his bed sores.

[looneytoons60]

Gosh and would you want someone hoping that for you or your mom or dad or any relative. Last time I checked Vick was human just like you and humans make mistakes yes even big ones. They can change, I see it everyday.

[kimberlymid]

Kinda with you on this one!! I know it is on no level related to child abuse, but those pits have proven to be good, loyal, companion dogs. Innocence from birth. They are taught to fight, not born to. This took a lot of thinking and play on Vick's part. It shocks the hell out of me to see someone do with the pits exactly what they are "stereotyped" for. I believe if Vick was just middle-class wage earner, he would be right back out there doing the same thing. When it comes to weighing the money and fame against prison, I think he would do it again.

[thedogdefender]

All animal lovers and anyone with a shred of decency should boycott all Eagles games. I refuse to finance Mike Vick. He should be forever barred from playing any professional sports.

Did Mike Vick give dogs a second chance as they lay there whimpering for mercy? No, all dogs who didn't perform well were executed in a brutal manner.
Take a look at photos of the mercy Mike Vick showed the dogs.
http://www.animalrightsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/loveofdogs31.jpg
http://www.jollybengali.net/theconfluence/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/gypsy.jpg

The Bible says, "You will reap what you sow" which basically means what goes around comes around. He should receive the same kind of mercy. He should stop being such a cry baby as if he is a victim and take what he has done like a man. Mike Vick will not change but find a way to continue dog fighting under the radar of officials. I say this because for years he participated in dog fighting and only stopped because he was caught. Even his own Father urged him to stop in 2001 and he refused. If a Son will not listen to his own Father, then who will he listen to?
Boddie told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that around 2001, Vick was staging dogfights in the garage of the family's home in Newport News and kept fighting dogs in the family's backyard, including injured ones which the father nursed back to health. Boddie said his son had been urged to not engage in the activity, but continued. He stated: "This is Mike's thing. And he knows it."

If Obama wants Mike Vick to have a second chance then let the government give it to him. Recruit him in the military so he can observe REAL men and women doing REAL work and not for the absurd amounts Mike gets for tossing a ball around.

[looneytoons60]

So Jesus dying on the cross is only for a select few who MANKIND choose to forgive? I think you should go back and read your bible because mine states that as long as you ask forgiveness it will be granted. So again I state Mike Vick should have been given a second chance....

[looneytoons60]

Gee when did everyone become so perfect that they dare judge another human being? There is not one person here who can say they haven't done something wrong in their life. Vick has paid his debt to society and everyone deserves a second chance. I bet if you guys ever got in to trouble you would be looking for that second chance. So before judging anyone else look inside your own closet and make sure it's clean before you dig in someone elses. Bunch of Hypocrits.

[c_etude]

Except Vick did this for years and years as a way of life, and God only knows how many animals were tortured and snuff by that rotten piece of human excrement. His snuffed dogs never had a second chance. Vick is free that's enough - A DOG FIGHTER SHOULD NEVER BE A ROLE MODEL. America sunk to a new all time low.

[kimberlymid]

Judging his actions.......not him! Even though he was found guilty and served time by our US Federal Justice System. We've all done something wrong, Looney, he just did it knowingly and intentionally!