One Michael Vick, Two Opinions

(CBS)  Leading up to Sunday's 60 Minutes interview with Michael Vick, we asked two of our colleagues at CBSSports.com to give their two cents on what he had to say. Their opinions couldn't be more different.

National columnist Gregg Doyel admits he was cynical before watching the interview. But afterwards he wrote, "Cynical as I am, I bought it. I bought Michael Vick's sincerity, his apology, his self-loathing. If there's a price to pay later for my gullibility ... fine. I'll pay it."

Doyel, who admits he didn't want to watch the interview, writes, "On national television, the man laid himself bare. He didn't just assume the fetal position, protecting his head and body as he lay at interviewer James Brown's feet. No, he went well beyond that. Michael Vick, for several minutes of incredible television, became like the animals he once killed: He flopped onto his back and showed his belly. He was as vulnerable as he could be, and I'm surprised he never cried." Read Doyel's column.

Doyel's colleague Mike Freeman, also a national columnist, was less swayed by the Vick's interview, writing, "Vick on his 60 Minutes interview played the part well. He seems sincere. He looks sorry. He acts sorry. Maybe time in a prison cell has indeed changed him. The problem is, we've seen this Vick highlight before."

"Vick has a history of repeating mistakes, many of them, all the time. Declaring beforehand he was going to change, only to be the same old Vick in the end."

"This time, Vick isn't conning me. Not falling for it. No way, no how. Not this time, Mike Slick. Not this time." Read Freeman's column.

So what do you think? Please share your comments using our feedback system at the bottom of the page.

Only on the Web Videos:

The New Michael Vick: Sincere?




The Road To Redemption?




Why He Lied




Cutting Ties




Doing Time




No Excuses

[Pieman8]

How is it possible that James Brown could accept the BS explanation that Vick felt bad because he 'allowed this to happen" and not ask Vick why he personally ELECTROCUTED, HUNG, DROWNED AND BEAT DOGS TO DEATH? ? ? ? ? ? What kind of a human being could do any of those things, regardless of who thought it was right or wrong? ? ? Vick feels bad because he was busted and had to go to jail and has the audacity to use 'his Lord Jesus Christ' as a shield for his depraved, sociopathic behavior. He should be treated exactly like he treated the poor dogs who couldn't or wouldn't fight...and shame on the NFL for giving even one dollar to this twisted, lying, disgusting excuse for a person.

[hmazuji]

So you REALLY believe he has paid his debt? yes, absolutely.

Seriously? yes, seriously.

You think that the two years in prison has changed his way of thinking? yes, micheal vick is the contrapositive to the status quo. he actually got rehabilitated!

Do you think that a person is NORMAL that tortures and kills animals? look you smug hypocrite, animals are getting tortured and killed in this country at every turn. look in the meat isle of your supermarket and tell me animals aren't getting killed and tortured. go protest in front of publix for throwing out tons of meat in the garbage. just wasted for nothing. is 'past it's two hour expiration date' a good reason to throw out food, or only an excuse ?

You don't think they actually might need some mental help? why don't you go after george bush, america's criminal mastermind and world famous terrorist. when people grow up and mature they learn to pick their battles. you're beating a dead horse here. haven't you learned not to beat a man when he's down? go after something substantive. go after america's slaughterhouses if you really have any kahunas, or go after g. w. if you're a real man. otherwise, keep your puerile, jejune, and petty judgment to yourself. it wasn't me, who said 'there is nothing worse than a hypocrite,' but i wish it were.

[Babs510]

If Michael Vick is so "remorseful" why doesn't he go to DOGTOWN (the rescue & rehab center that took in the dogs) and try and offer some help to the dogs? especially the females whose teeth he pulled completely out ?? (so when they were forced to breed they couldn't bite the males) . Dog town is on Nat-Geo on friday nights. What a sad site to see: all those poor dogs. I think he was forced to give them some money but I'm not sure. I bet he spent more on his attorneys and "PR PEOPLE" though !!!! What a disgusting person he is!!!

[islesford]

Hello 60 minutes - what happened to your choice of subjects on the show of Sunday, August 16th?

In my opinion Michael Vick was a very poor choice - not to mention the amount of time you spent on it......

In his wisdom, the father of 60 minutes Don Hewitt bottom line was "don't let the remote kill you" - obviously out of sight out of mind. Please get back to his standards of reporting.

This was not about the dogs that were put through incredible torture but about he people who think that this is just very kool - a slap on the hand and back to the ring.

Understandably you are unable to show the ugly side of this on Prime TV - or maybe you should - I am sure that you have some clever minds who think out of the box on your staff who could come up with a sequel this story.

[preacherbrew]

shut up, get over it, the decision has been made, vick is back in the league, if you don't like it don't watch football, get over it, oh guess what? his jersey is selling like hotcakes LMAO..........

[jelarge]

I debated whethere or not to watch this interview. I did not want to increase ratings because of Vick. However, I think the interview was horrible if you are going to have someone like that on a well respected news show ask the tough questions. James Brown only asked once "what about the dogs" someone above commented how we cannot dictate what job he gets but we (society) can decide what kind of person is associated with the NFL, with the Eagles, as a coach, a teammate I would be outraged to have someone of those morals on my team. This was not a mistake people need to understand this -this was SIX YEARS of torturing, beating, killing, causing suffering, and mental abuse to dogs. Michael Vick has ZERO remorse, there was not one piece of him that felt bad for the horrendous things that he did. I am so sick of people forming there opinions without all the information. Watch the Michael Vick dog special about some of the things he did to them and what they go through and what their life is becuase of this maniac. I watched this interview in hopes that James Brown would have focused on these horrific things and he twisted it so that people see Vick as a man who served his time, now lets move on. He could have spent 16 yrs in prison if he feels no remorse the prison experience is irrelevant. Society is a mess because noone does anything about things that are offensive, everyone just sits back and watches and I am not proud to be a part of so many people that think he served his time, made a mistake, let the man play football. Its a disgrace to all.

[DrTerryP]

Great, tough interview! Like some, I feel that Michael Vick has served his time, apologized and promised to help influence youth to reject dog fights. Trust has to be reearned, and time will tell.
What interests me as an expert on optimism is how overcoming mistakes and taking advantage of second chances is what life is about. At my http://www.optimismadvantage.com, I commented on the inspiring parrallel to the Biblical story of the Prodigal Son. In the Bible, the older brother rejects his brother and is angry at his father for giving him a second chance. In the NFL version, the "older brother" is the all-pro starting quarterback Donovan McNabb. Instead of rejecting his young "brother" he fought for his return and welcomed him with open arms. That's leadership. The only place that perfect people exist are in educational movies and political campaigns. I'll leave judgment to God; Michael Vick paid his legal price for his actions. I wish him well and will be pulling for him...even as a Dallas Cowboy fan. See a video of my comments and further commentary at my Optimism Advantage blog. Thanks again for a great interview.

[JerseyGrrl]

What's the difference between Mike Vick and Sarah Palin, who shoots animals in Alaska?

[grace_Scan]

buffalofan123 ... you make me sick

[aggiemariposa]

Michael Vick showed his true character on 60 minutes. He clearly indicated he did not feel guilty till he was in prison. Obviously, he would still be committing his deliberate, premeditated, cruel, ONGOING FOR 7 YEARS crimes. Also, although he caught himself (too late), he clearly revealed he found the ?blood lust? of the atrocities exciting. And ?he didn?t really understand it was wrong??! Unless he never left his neighborhood, didn't go to school, never watched tv or read a book, I don't buy it. His crimes had malicious intent - unlike the the other crimes some of you people like to compare his too. And for those of you who say they were just dogs, perhaps you wouldn't feel the same if you were blind and relied on a guide dog or if you were an epileptic and depended on a dog to detect and alert when you were going to have a seizure. Dogs assist mankind like no other animal. DOGS SAVE LIVES. Vick?s dogs had the potential to do this too. Visit lawdogsusa.org and you will see dogs of the same breed and Vick destroyed all the potential value his had and perverted their abilities. And this man is going to make 1.6 mil when most felons can't find a job even at fast food place?! And the NFl is going to baby him with a mentor??! ridiculous and disgusting. The game will always be tainted for me.

[aggiemariposa]

The question that SHOULD have been asked of Vick is "would you still be committing these crimes if you not been caught?". I can't believe it wasn't asked. Maybe some other interviewer will have the intelligence to think of that question and then have the COURAGE to ask it