Aug. 17, 2009
One Michael Vick, Two Opinions
CBSSports.com's Mike Freeman And Gregg Doyel Have Vastly Different Opinions After Vick's 60 Minutes Interview
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Play CBS Video Video Michael Vick The former pro quarterback speaks in his first interview since he admitted to participating in the illegal dogfighting that resulted in a prison sentence and his suspension from the NFL.
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Michael Vick, left, speaking with CBS Sports anchor James Brown. (CBS)
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
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- 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.
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- 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. - Reply to this comment
- 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!!!
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- 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. - Reply to this comment
- 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.
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- 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. - Reply to this comment
- What's the difference between Mike Vick and Sarah Palin, who shoots animals in Alaska?
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- buffalofan123 ... you make me sick
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- 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.
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- 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
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- Michael Vick showed no "real" regret at what he had done. He successfully repeated the PR line he was given. There is something fundementally wrong with a person who can abuse animals. Second chance, why?
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- I believe Vick was sincere in his admission that he was an idiot for his roll in the gambling & dogfighting ring. I also believe his remorse over leading a very pompus lifestyle and portraying an "untouchable" spirit to the team, players and fans of professional football.
On the other side of the coin, I believe he was merely going through the motions saying he was distraught over the mistreatment of dogs. When a human grows up to embrace what could be viewed as an extreme, non-mainstream lifestyle, it's highly unlikely one can shift their thinking to the other extreme within a two year time period. For example: If a youngster is brought up in a lifestyle where game hunting was embraced as the "norm" and primary focus of all liesure and receational family activities, it's unlikely that same child could whole-heartedly pick up a PETA sign and picket out front of the supreme court with a crowd of vegans all because of a two year jail sentence for poaching. It's also unlikely that an Afghani child raised to embrace the values of the taliban would in time, marry into a Jewish family all because he served a few years at Gitmo and he "saw the light". Changing ones core values and beliefs is something that can be done but only after YEARS of treatment followed by a period of actively LIVING the new lifestyle as a behavior choice.
I believe Vick was doing the right thing by giving the interview and saying what he did. As most therapists and behavior modification experts will say..... ACTION PRECEEDS UNDERSTANDING! In other words, Vick needs to go through this process of giving lip service until his brain starts seeing the benefits of what his lips are saying and what his actions are displaying.
As a recovering alcoholic, the only reason I got sober was because the consequences sucked! I had no knowledge of the great benefits that would accompany sobriety because I hadn't experienced them. For the first several years, I just went through the AA and twelve step motions. I often wished there was a way to drink without consequences. NOT A CHANCE. In time, the benefits of sobriety started to show up! My social life, my my sex life and an amazing inner peace began reinforcing how GOOD it was to stay sober. That's because I was simply doing and saying the "right" things even when I didn't want to.
I don't believe Mike is altogether sincere in his current feelings about dogs..... But I'm cool with that. He's saying the right thing people! That's not a bad thing. I don't know Mike personally but it's reasonable to think he embraced a "gangsta, thug, hip-hop, bling-wearing, tatooed, streetwise, spoiled athelete" value system (those are all guesses for purposes of this opinion) during his teen and early adult years. If even half of those are correct, Vick will have to go through the motions with all the PETA and ASPCA stuff until he is able to grasp some of those values. God works in cool ways folks! Some day, he may meet some supermodel at a PETA convention, get married, and together be a strong voice against animal cruelty together as a couple. I've seen that kind of thing happen on a local level through legitimate recovery!!!!
So..... Is it lip service now? probably! Is it the right thing to say and do right now? ABSOLUTELY! Good job Mike! - Reply to this comment
- I believe Vick was sincere in his admission that he was an idiot for his roll in the gambling & dogfighting ring. I also believe his remorse over leading a very pompus lifestyle and portraying an "untouchable" spirit to the team, players and fans of professional football.
On the other side of the coin, I believe he was merely going through the motions saying he was distraught over the mistreatment of dogs. When a human grows up to embrace what could be viewed as an extreme, non-mainstream lifestyle, it's highly unlikely one can shift their thinking to the other extreme within a two year time period. For example: If a youngster is brought up in a lifestyle where game hunting was embraced as the "norm" and primary focus of all liesure and receational family activities, it's unlikely that same child could whole-heartedly pick up a PETA sign and picket out front of the supreme court with a crowd of vegans all because of a two year jail sentence for poaching. It's also unlikely that an Afghani child raised to embrace the values of the taliban would in time, marry into a Jewish family all because he served a few years at Gitmo and he "saw the light". Changing ones core values and beliefs is something that can be done but only after YEARS of treatment followed by a period of actively LIVING the new lifestyle as a behavior choice.
I believe Vick was doing the right thing by giving the interview and saying what he did. As most therapists and behavior modification experts will say..... ACTION PRECEEDS UNDERSTANDING! In other words, Vick needs to go through this process of giving lip service until his brain starts seeing the benefits of what his lips are saying and what his actions are displaying.
As a recovering alcoholic, the only reason I got sober was because the consequences sucked! I had no knowledge of the great benefits that would accompany sobriety because I hadn't experienced them. For the first several years, I just went through the AA and twelve step motions. I often wished there was a way to drink without consequences. NOT A CHANCE. In time, the benefits of sobriety started to show up! My social life, my my sex life and an amazing inner peace began reinforcing how GOOD it was to stay sober. That's because I was simply doing and saying the "right" things even when I didn't want to.
I don't believe Mike is altogether sincere in his current feelings about dogs..... But I'm cool with that. He's saying the right thing people! That's not a bad thing. I don't know Mike personally but it's reasonable to think he embraced a "gangsta, thug, hip-hop, bling-wearing, tatooed, streetwise, spoiled athelete" value system (those are all guesses for purposes of this opinion) during his teen and early adult years. If even half of those are correct, Vick will have to go through the motions with all the PETA and ASPCA stuff until he is able to grasp some of those values. God works in cool ways folks! Some day, he may meet some supermodel at a PETA convention, get married, and together be a strong voice against animal cruelty together as a couple. I've seen that kind of thing happen on a local level through legitimate recovery!!!!
So..... Is it lip service now? probably! Is it the right thing to say and do right now? ABSOLUTELY! Good job Mike! - Reply to this comment
- I love animals as the next individual, however, I feel that what some people are doing to this man is ridiculous. Who are we to send anyone to hell, we are not God, so we can't determine what is right and wrong. I think we should all think back to when we made mistakes and people forgave us, no matter how many times we messed up. Give it a rest, the man has done a crime, taken responsibility for his actions, served time, now allow him to continue making a living and get past all this. He is trying to move on, let us do the same
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- Those poor dogs were not given a second chance!!! Disgusting Vick and his disgusting friends enjoyed each and every moment of their torture. Why should he be given a second chance? He is the lowest form of humanity - blaming it on his childhood. He makes me sick.
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- Other than for his career, there was no remorse demonstrated by Vick during the interview with 60 Minutes. He was not only the money behind the operation, but an active participant. Apparently, he forgot that fact.
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- I think time will tell
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- He's shuckin' & jivin. Did you see that little half smile on his face? and the way he looked away from the interviewer each time he answered? HE'S BS'ng the whole way. Bounce this guy out - before he screws up again and puts another black mark against the league.
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- tmarsh51--maybe if you had a teacher like Chris you would have better grammar and spelling and not that of a 1st grader (you are not a 1st grader, are you?) Vick has numerous attorneys and agents and PR people trying to rebuild his career (it's in the story on 60 minutes) so yes, it is a TEAM. Secondly, little kids doing something "bad" and a grown man who is supposed to be setting and example who horrifically kills animals for fun is completely different. Lastly, you were right on one thing, he does not have to answer to Chris. He will answer to God (now that Vick has miraculously found him again) and God will take care of Vick. Do youself a "faver" and read some books that have been WRITTEN (not wrote), like a dictionary Einstein-- YOU CAN REALLY USE IT!
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- I can't believe Vick is out on parole. Did he let his dogs out for good behavior? Did they get a second chance like the Eagles are giving him? He is a monster and what he did should not be rewarded with millions of dollars playing football. Warning Eagles: You are losing fans!
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