Comments on: Vick Takes Step Toward Life After Prison

Former NFL Star Will Spend Final 2 Months Of 23-Month Sentence In Home Confinement

[swami545]

"Great comment Confidential:
I would go one step further and suggest that fans stop buying tickets, merchandise, watching games on TV and everything else that enables the sports industry to thrive and pay obscene salaries.
Posted by endrepubs "

If you have a problem with rich people, perhaps you can let those rich Hollywood liberals like Ron Howard, Rosie O', Babs, Madonna, and Michael Moore know so they can distribute their weath to all of us.

[tanker144]

The emperor has no clothes and is naked. Our social cowardice has to end at some point where we say no more-you have violated your position and can no longer be trusted. You can have your position back when you have proven over time than you can be trusted-again trust is earned.

Posted by Ichabod09 at 12:11 PM

We were soooooo close for a second there. Let me point out that Vick is not a public figure, he's an entertainer. Football players are not ambassadores of anything, and too many people prop them up because they're on TV. Charles Barkley said it best when he said, "I am not a role model" or something like that. All these guys do is play a game. A game. It's not like they are making decisions that put people's lives in jeapardy unless of course they decide to blitz on first down and happen to catch Manning unprotected on his blind side. Unlike the Madoff gig, Vick's crime was totally unrelated to his profession. If he'd used his dogfighting winnings to bet on football then I'd have a very, very serious problem with him ever playing again, but that's not the case.

So again I agree with you, but we differ on a few points. If someone breaks bad in their profession, such as a Madoff, then heck yeah, boot his butt and don't let him back in that business. But after Madoff does his time and pays his debt, he does have the right to pursue whatever career choice he wants because THIS IS AMERICA, land of the FREE that I spent 20 years of my life helping to protect. Now, Madoff probably won't make it in the financial district but he could take up plumbing or something.

Now, some jobs won't let you in the door if you are a convicted fellon and that's their prerogative. The NFL does have the latitude to suspend or kick guys out of the league altogether, so he may not play, that's up to the commish. But if the commish stands by his word and says Vick can play if he shows he's basically 'Grown Up', then Vick has that right and should have that right, because, THIS IS AMERICA. :o)

[displeased]

Vicks competency in football is not in question-it is his character that is in question. Me personally? I would not trust Madoff or Vick in any aspect-their trust would have to be regained.
Posted by Ichabod09

Sure, his character is flawed, but how many sports players are? Name any sport, and I'm certain you can think of some ****** thug players. Like someone previously said, they're hired for their abilities, their flawed personalities are overlooked.

[credibility2]

These bad boys are too tolerated and accepted by the general public, instead of being permanently ostracized from their sport for their misdeeds. There was a time where those in the public eye were decent, moral, ethical, respectable and had integrity. Not so any more. These athletes are also egregiously paid for what little they do, and I find it remarkable that those complaining about the compensation levels for the Wall St. types, say absolutely nothing when it comes to egregiously paid morons in the sports, broadcast and entertainment fields.

[Ichabod09]

Football has nothing to do with dogs. Football is Vick's occupation, he should be able to return. Madoff used his occupation to commit serious crimes. That's where I see the difference.
Posted by displeased at 12:35 PM : May 20, 2009

It was once said that a man that enjoyed a cold shower in the morning would probably lie about everything else.

Vicks competency in football is not in question-it is his character that is in question. Me personally? I would not trust Madoff or Vick in any aspect-their trust would have to be regained.

[endrepubs]

Vick should never play again and this should be the standard for conduct unbecoming. Over the last ten years the number of NFL players guilty of unlawful activity is too long to list, yet we continue to rally, support, and lower the bar with regard to behavioral expectations to watch their brilliance on the field. We cater to them, spoil them, and pay them millions of dollars to entertain and unify us, and we turn a blind eye to the decline in our code of conduct and ethical standards. Enough. The fans need to encourage, and make known to owners, coaches and the NFL their approval of honorable sportsmen and denounce the deplorable conduct with policies addressing conduct unbecoming.
Posted by Confidential416 at 12:23 PM : May 20, 2009

Great comment Confidential:
I would go one step further and suggest that fans stop buying tickets, merchandise, watching games on TV and everything else that enables the sports industry to thrive and pay obscene salaries.

[displeased]

Madoff used his position to rob billions of dollars from investors. When Madoff pays his debt to society, if he lives long enough, he should be separated from investment duties, similar to Vick being required to stay away from dogs. Football has nothing to do with dogs. Football is Vick's occupation, he should be able to return. Madoff used his occupation to commit serious crimes. That's where I see the difference.

[adek1]

Please, media, DO NOT GLORIFY this lowlife piece of crap....don't even give this guy the slightest importance online, on TV, etc....

This guy does not deserve any second chance....and I am so glad he has lost everything.

This guy's actions resemble a very disturbed individual. People who torture animals are the same people who can murder humans.

I am begging everybody, if you see any publicity on this guy, SHUT OFF THE TV, DON'T FEED INTO THIS GUYS PITY PARTY!!!

[Ichabod09]

Madoff used his position to rob people.
Posted by displeased at 12:22 PM : May 20, 2009

So which position of public trust gets a pass on criminal behavior and which does not?

So tell me displeased, how do you respond when it's your personal trust that is violated? You forgive, but do you still trust to the degree you did before the violation of trust?

[Confidential416]

Vick should never play again and this should be the standard for conduct unbecoming. Over the last ten years the number of NFL players guilty of unlawful activity is too long to list, yet we continue to rally, support, and lower the bar with regard to behavioral expectations to watch their brilliance on the field. We cater to them, spoil them, and pay them millions of dollars to entertain and unify us, and we turn a blind eye to the decline in our code of conduct and ethical standards. Enough. The fans need to encourage, and make known to owners, coaches and the NFL their approval of honorable sportsmen and denounce the deplorable conduct with policies addressing conduct unbecoming.