This man tortured dogs over and over and over...
Not a momentary laps in judgment not a mistake. He laughed with his buddies, bet and did it again and again.
Hanging, drowning, electrocuting.
I wonder how many "free to good home" ads are answered in order to collect the "bait" animals to train fighting dogs?
Standard practice for training fighting dogs is to get a puppy or stray dog and tape their mouth shut. This is done so the fighting dogs (With no resistance) can attack and tear, getting a taste for blood with out getting injured. Mr. Vick had everything in the world going for him, still again and again he chose cruelty. Vick is not going to punch a time clock and work on an assembly line in some factory. He's a sports figure with adulation and endorsements. But in reality he is a piece of refuse that so happens to be a talented athlete. Is everything short of murder a guideline for reinstatement? No wonder our young people are confused. This nasty human will now make millions of dollars in front of a cheering crowd. The message? It's OK to participate in the brutal rampant practice of dog fighting.
Money is reward. A standing ovation to the reinstated thug.

Great article, I totally agree. Also I have seen that exact same post all over the internet. Try some originality. He has paid his price, possibly more than he should have. I think that next year he will be starting somewhere, I loved watching him play!

Give me a break! How can you defend this "monster"? That's right, Michael Vick is a monster. I don't think anybody claims that there aren't other sources of animal cruelty (i.e. puppy mills) and believe me when I tell you that if they were ever discovered and scrutinized personally through the media, they would also receive the same welcoming of hate and anger.

Michael Vick doesn't "deserve" anything other than the horrible reputation that will follow him from this day forth. Deserves to make a living to support his family? He screwed that up by his own account. Sometimes you don't get second chances and other times you don't deserve them. He falls in the latter category. Playing professional football, obtaining the millions, the glory and the fans is a LUXURY only. It should and can be taken from you when you abuse the opportunities it provides you.

You're wrong. Not only did he fund these atrocities, but he participated in on them personally. That much is evident.

Where is the human inside of you? How can you badger the prosecutors and PETA members in defense of Vick that they robbed him of playing football? He robbed innocent animals of their lives. Oh, but their just dogs, right? Their not as important as people since we're special.

I'm surprised you had the fortitude to release an article of this disturbing and disgusting material. Pathetic.

"Vick bankrolled Bad Newz Kennels, he was the money man -- meaning he didn’t commit these atrocities, he just funded them. Does that excuse him? No. But he’s not a monster."

Vick admitted to the Court that he killed dogs, dawg.

Vick did commit these horrendous acts. Even if he "paid his debt to society", he should be banned from pro sports just for the gambling. Ask Pete Rose how it works.
Vick will NEVER pay his debt to the society of young kids who adored him. If Vick gets a pro football job, I will never spend a dime on the sport again. Not shirts, keychains, tickets, jackets - NOTHING.
If he is allowed to work, he should be put on a small allowance "a living wage" to the rest of us, and the balance should go to the shelters caring for the dogs from his "kennels".
I am being nice in this post - I actually feel he should be tortured, abused, electrocuted, choked and anything else the dogs went through. MICHAEL VICK IS THE ANIMAL HERE

Great article I agree 100%. America is a nation that is slow to forgive people who don't look like them so I wouldn't hold my breath.

First of all I agree 100% with the OP. Now, to carwen; get a life. You animal rights people kill me. I wonder if you were this upset when the police murdered Sean Bell up in New York? There's no reason to say such mean and hateful things about Vick. He did a crime, he did his time. Let it be. Donte Stallworth freakin' KILLED a man, and you people ain't calling him an animal. Take a break from your 100 cats and go find someone to socialize with!

Michael Vick: A ROLE MODEL FOR TODAY’S AMERICAN YOUTH (with images of he and his friends beheading dogs who could not win for he and friends’ benefit).

Why is this sadistic inhuman being (research the common background of serial killers) not just told to go find another line of work, out of our children’s sight and influence? Answer: a GREEDY NFL (and some shallow thinking fans).

If somehow Vick gets restored even to partial prominence, this will be especially bad for the sport. Many longtime fans are trying to raise wholesome families and will be repulsed. They will come to see that baseball and basketball and soccer as better major sports for their kids - a path not leading to a NEW LOW NFL.

I agree and I think most non radicals will agree also. He did a horrible crime and paid the time! (and money)

He's a free man, let him play.

There are plenty of people in the NFL with criminal records. If he can't play b/c his crime was built up by bleeding heart liberals then no one with a criminal record should be able to play in the NFL.

Michael Vick is a thug and a sociopath.

hey! wait a minute..... that makes him a Baltimore Raven. It is a perfect fit.

"Vick bankrolled Bad Newz Kennels, he was the money man -- meaning he didn’t commit these atrocities, he just funded them. Does that excuse him? No. But he’s not a monster."

So by this mentality, a drug kingpin isn't actually selling the drugs... he's just bankrolling the actual dealer? The mob boss isn't actually killing people.. he's just having others do it for him... The man who hires someone to kill another person isn't guilty, only the actual killer is.

You have some messed up logic here. Vick bankrolled, participated in, bet on, observed, enjoyed, and made money from dog fighting. Whether he actually stood holding a dog's head under water and drowing it or not, he is still, by association and participation, guilty of killing dogs.

Does he deserve to be blackballed 100% from the NFL? probably not... but should teams who decide to avoid the PR nightmare wrong? No. They are running a business that specializes in entertaining people and keeping fans in the seats. If they feel Vick will be a detriment to that, they should avoid him.

Besides... even before the dogfighting, the man was an off-the-field mess. Let's not forget the weed in the airport, the herpes lawsuits.... the guy is a complete PR disaster. He made the bed he's sleeping in now, and deserves to be there. He should consider himself lucky that he wasn't banned for life from the NFL.

It IS a privledge to be an over-paid prima donna athlete in the premiere sports league on the planet. I hope he ends up playing for some CFL team as their kick returner. He would deserve such a fate.

I have no fears ALF is all over this. Unfortunately he may pay more than money for his acts

- time for a reality check - Vick also donated millions of dollars to charities... he helped build VT's program into a national powerhouse, and made many, many millions for the Falcons.

He was a "serial eff up" though, who made a lot of mistakes along the way - but he has now PAID for his crimes.

He had PAID his debt to society, and it is now time for an NFL team to sign him.

The future will take care of itself.

We anxiously await his return to football. We certainly will attend no matter what city and what team he signs with

Let the man play, I can't stand people who won't forgive.

It doesn't matter if it's Stallworth or Vick or any thug...you think if they had more normal jobs ANYONE would hire them after their prison sentences? Those guys are thugs and monsters...both of them. Slow to forgive? Give me a break. How many petty criminals would you forgive? If you were interviewing someone with a criminal record, would you hire him? Michael Vick is no better than any other criminal.

ATHLETES ARE ROLE MODELS! This guy is a role model? No, he isn't. He's sick and twisted. Tell me, this is the man you want your kids looking up to?

"He did his time" ... yeah, he did his time in jail. Then you allow him to make millions? Nobody else in this country could do that. You people forget that even though it's a game, for these men it's also a job. Why should a low life like Vick get paid millions?

You sir are pathetic. Just because you like sitting around watching these "talents" play a game does not mean you should excuse this monster's behavior. And do your research. He did kill dogs with his bare hands. Next time you write garbage at least be a little reliable. Gosh.

Man whatever I hate when people call him a monster over some dogs we kill deer pigs chickens go fishing and all of that but are they called monsters they animals too right or am I wrong think about it he is a great athlete and deserve a chance

It is amazing how people will believe anything that is printed and want to think that is all he did when if they used half their brain they would say there is no way he could have had time to do half of what they claim he did and play football be at golf events, camps, other personal appearances. Yes he did fund it, yes he said he got into dogfighting when he was young. Not one person is saying anything about the adults who taught him this allowed this to happen. The 65 yr old man that showed the losers he was hanging around with how to train dogs and fight the got probation. Taylor who actually set up the operation and only got 3 months said it was never Michael's intention to set up a fighting ring just a place for his friends to show off their dogs and a place to breed and sell fighting dogs, but no one wants to hear that because any reason to hate is a good one even if it is a lie in part. Got to have someone else to kick around

OMG! Convicted Felons cannot be: Lawyers, doctors, teachers, police officers, public servants, run for office, get a gun, vote, or any other privilages accorded to your basic citizen. He is a CONVICTED FELON who did prison time. He has no remorse. He is a sociopath. The sooner he crawls under a rock the better off our society at large would be. If need a rope to hang himself I will gladly send it to him.

The details of Vick's transgressions are apparently being lost, let me remind you with a story that was put out today from one of the rescue groups:

“On hearing the news of Pacelle’s embrace of Vick, Bad Rap, one of the groups who helped care for Vick’s victims, responded:

I just cant get myself away from the swimming pool in Vicks yard. I first learned about it while riding in the back seat of a federal agents car that sweltering Tuesday back in Sept 07.

The agent was assigned with escorting us to the various Virginia shelters so we could evaluate the evidence, otherwise known as 49 pit bulls - now known as cherished family pets: Hector, Uba, Jhumpa, Georgia, Sweet Jasmine and the rest.

Im not sure if sharing insider information with us was kosher, but you know how driving down long country roads can get you talking. I imagine she just needed to get some things off her chest.

She said she was having trouble sleeping since the day they exhumed the bodies on the Moonlight Road property.

She said that when she watched the investigators uncover the shallow graves, she was compelled to want to climb in and pick up the decomposing dogs and comfort and cradle them. She knew that was crazy talk, and she was grappling with trying to understand such a surprising impulse.

Her candor set the tone for this entire saga. Everyone we worked with was deeply affected by the case. The details that got to me then and stay with me today involve the swimming pool that was used to kill some of the dogs.

Jumper cables were clipped onto the ears of underperforming dogs, then, just like with a car, the cables were connected to the terminals of car batteries before lifting and tossing the shamed dogs into the water. Most of Vicks dogs were small - 40lbs or so - so tossing them in would have been fast and easy work for thick athlete arms.

We dont know how many suffered this premeditated murder, but the damage to the pool walls tells a story.

It seems that while they were scrambling to escape, they scratched and clawed at the pool liner and bit at the dented aluminum sides like a hungry dog on a tin can.

I wear some pretty thick skin during our work with dogs, but I cant shake my minds-eye image of a little black dog splashing frantically in bloody water screaming in pain and terror, brown eyes saucer wide and tiny black white-toed feet clawing at anything, desperate to get a hold.

This death did not come quickly. The rescuer in me keeps trying to think of a way to go back in time and somehow stop this torture and pull the little dog to safety. I think Ill be looking for ways to pull that dog out for the rest of my life. “

Aaron's article on Michael Vick is not factual. He did kill, by his own hands. The NFL needs to set some standards and expectations for their players. The only person keeping Vick out of the NFL is the fans. If so many feel this way about him, then those that don't, should wonder why they don't. Get educated on the sport of dog fighting, it will shock you what people are capable of doing, either to other people or animals, doesn't matter which, they shouldn't be allowed in the NFL. Till the NFL sets some standards, its up to the fans to speak up.

I love dogs myself. Always have and always will.. People need to stop acting like he funded killing children. In many states certain dog owners can't get home insurance because the dogs breed is considered a danger. If he was not a public figure 99% of the so called outraged people would not care they may comment and move on.. This young man has served more than his debt. Leave him alone and let him lives his life..

We all make mistakes,only God can judge Vick. Until then let the man live his life.

Aaron,
You're an idiot., pain and simple. I hope they do get Vick back in the NFL, that people don't show up and whoever takes him suffers too. BOTTOM LINE: Vick should move on instead. His career is over anyways. do the honorable thing and ****ing disappear.

Unbelievably awful article. What punishment should he have received? Community service or maybe just counceling. That ugly person does not deserve anything and I am not excited about the start of the season if he's there. Nobody did anything to him, he did it.
To Jay
Donte Stallworth while under the influence of whatever, made the stupid decision to get behind the wheel. He didn't soberly decide to get in a car and look for somebody to run down. I'm sure he will forever regret the choices he made that day.

michael vick of sound mind and body...made the decisions he made. Very scary. What kind of mind would do such cruel things. We all know those kinds of people are out there but they sure shouldn't be allowed to just waltz back into the NFL. Another thing, lay off the animal rights people. Animals deserve someone to stick up for them. Maybe that's why you think it's ok for him to play again cause you think that it's not so bad that he did those things to dogs cause they're just dogs. They're living things and don't deserve to be treated like that.
There's a good chance that the only thing michael vick regrets is getting caught and would still be in it if he wasn't. Think about this. He wasn't in it for the money so it must have been the thrill. Sick. I don't think the NFL should ever claim to have high standards.

Who are any of you to judge him especially the person who said he didn't deserve another chance. Vick paid his debt to society the man went to Federal Prison. I'm sure you all have done some shady things in your life, but you don't know him his upbringing or his life. Your opinion on his is affected by bias's and the media propaganda you see on TV. Obviously he's going to play in the NFL again and the only person that can really stop that is Michael Vick himself. Let him live his life forgive and forget. Honestly if you stop watching the NFL over one man when other NFL players have flat out killed people while under the influence of alcohol and got less time than him then you need to re-evaluate yourself.

This article was well written, but poorly researched.

I also find it hard to stomach that you idolize athletes. Idolize parents, or others close to you that do something important. Not overpaid, underworked athletes. How about soldiers that give everything so you can be free? Entertainers are not idols. They do these types of things because they are put on this pedistal.

Michael Vick did admit to being the guy who bankrolled it, but he also DID admit to killing dogs. Not to mention the incident with the marijuana at the airport. Whether or not you personally condone marijuana use, it is still illegal.

Michael Vick is a great athlete, a marginal quarterback, and I won't even get into categorizing him as a person. I'm by no means an animal rights activist, but when you do something like that to an animal who did nothing to you, what would you do to a human being that did?

I also agree with Fierce, isn't dog fighting based largely on betting? Doesn't matter that he bet on his team, he was still gambling and it wasn't even in Vegas. Why would he get different treatment than Pete Rose? Because he was better? Hardly. Because he's younger? Why? Because he plays a different sport? So what.

Jacob...I really don't know where to begin. Ask Ray Lewis about just how long it takes to be forgiven.

First let me say that I like this article. Im in the United States Marine Corps and the purpose of the military is to protect my country so that people can go about life not having to worry about hearing bombs and bullets bouncing off walls. Do you know how that is done, its done by killing my enemies that are human beings. Vick is a human being just like the rest of us. Did Ray Lewis get another chance after being accused of shooting a person in a club? Yes he did and he went on to have a hall of fame career. Yet Stallworth killed someone that has the ability to make decisions. Someone that has to make a living to provide for their family. That is what seperates humans from animals. Vick deserved every bit of time for what he did. why still bagger him for something that is over with. Ive played football since i was 3 years old and i have yet to see a quarterback with the abilities that this man has. Im not saying let him play because he is a spectacular athlete, but let him do what he dose best because he NEEDS to restore his good name that he once had. Stop making this whole thing bigger than what it really is. Everyone that is bashing Vick needs to get a hobby. Let Vick be the man that got him in the NFL. Let the man play. Young people still look up to him not in a negative way but in a way of through adversity you can still be a respectable person. So let him have that respect.

vick did nott kill any dogs. Although he paid for them to be killed and provided a place for them to be killed. but i found it funny how vick could get 2 years in jail for killing a dog and gets protestors hating him but dante stallworth kills a man while driving drunk and gets 2 months and basically no camera time. So basically society is telling me a dogs life is more important than a mans. Let Vick play!!

and he is not a thug...

Alright people we all know micheal vick was wrong nobody is underminding that but its a lot of players not jus in tha nfl but in sports period that's doing drugs drinking and driving gold medalist smoking out of bongs players taking steroids beating there wives there's been cases of rape murder etc.but hey nobody is protesting it if you know anything about football you know mike vick was opening gates for black qb's which is a let's face it a white position so its deeper than just he killed dogs its more of a let's reclaim or rightful position as qb.....for the record he was wrong for killing dogs......but he still has the talent to play...only god can judge you...yep and you people are nothing close to god....one love

ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVISTS PLEASE READ!!!!!!!.......I agree 100% with this article. Anyone who disagrees needs to get a life. Seriously, wow I can't believe people are so ignorant and unforgiving. Please, read your responses and think about what you are wishing on other people. He went to prison and served his sentence, what else do you want? You ever been to prison? I haven't and don't ever plan on going. If you wish more punishment on Vick than what has already paid to society then you yourself may be knocking on hell's door. May god bless you and forgive you for your sinful way of thinking. Remeber god forgives.. he does NOT! punish.

This yo-yo has proven himself to be a slightly milder vresion of his ding-a-ling younger brother, who managed to get a free ride to Va Tech only to end up getting the boot becasue of a series of personal misconduct incidents. Didn't Mommy and Daddy (if he was, in fact, around) teach these knuckleheaeds ANYTHING?????

Forget about him. The NFL doesn't need him and should not endorse him as a player. I think the greatest situation for M. Vick would be for the NFL to allow him to come back (this is America and you get a second chance) and to have NO TEAM make him an offer. Actions speak louder than words. I guarantee you...Vick will get involved in some other undesireable situation should that be the case.

Let Vick play in the UFL. There is no reason the NFL needs this felon. He is hated and bad press. Ship him to the start up league.

Alright people we all know micheal vick was wrong nobody is underminding that but its a lot of players not jus in tha nfl but in sports period that's doing drugs drinking and driving gold medalist smoking out of bongs players taking steroids beating there wives there's been cases of rape murder etc.but hey nobody is protesting it if you know anything about football you know mike vick was opening gates for black qb's which is a let's face it a white position so its deeper than just he killed dogs its more of a let's reclaim or rightful position as qb.....for the record he was wrong for killing dogs......but he still has the talent to play...only god can judge you...yep and you people are nothing close to god....one love

Vick has a right to prove he is a changed man
But he deserves nothing..

How many felons are welcomed back to their previous Jobs?

Very Few.

This man tortured dogs over and over and over...
Hanging, drowning, electrocuting

Not a momentary laps in judgment not a mistake.

My advice take a year off, working, showing you mean business about redemption. Talking to kids in the most vulnerable community's about the horrors of dog fighting.
Walk the walk
In the mean time train train train.

Perhaps then he might gain some ground

I agree & disagree (but mostly disagree) with certain points you have made.

Could you provide a citation for the article(s) you researched which indicated that worse things happen in puppy mills and pet stores? My research indicates that this is, in fact, not the case. Additionally, if you wish to compare what he did to something else, it would be helpful to compare it to something that is considered acceptable. Puppy mills and pet stores ARE, in fact, a target of animal supporters as they often mistreat their animals as well. You, personally, may be unaware of the attention these establishments receive, but just because you are ill-informed, does not mean these establishments' actions go unnoticed. And when they are noticed, action is taken and charges are filed, as was the case with Mr. Vick. Thus, that statement holds little or no validity.

Yes, Vick should be allowed to obtain a job after serving his time. However, I do not think it should be a given that he automatically return to the NFL with no opposition. Should the CEO who commits rape be able to assume his old position after serving his time? When a person is sentenced to jail, it is because he/she does not uphold the proper morals and standards to live amongst the rest of society. Just because a person is released does not mean they have miraculously gained these values they once lacked. For that reason, many employers do not want these people for employees, and precisely why PETA has a problem that Vick is granted his high-paying, very public career again upon release. Do you really think he suddenly has a new-found respect for animals because of what he did? Doubtful. It sends a message that life can resume as normal after a crime is committed and a few years of jail time is served.

Finally, funding the operation allowed for all these crimes to occur. No money = No operation; Meaning, no drowned dogs, no killed dogs, no tortured dogs, so no crimes committed, and thus no jail time necessary. But, because all that did happen, Vick went to jail. Get it?

Other than that, this is a nicely written article and I'm proud you're willing to put your opinion out there, despite being so wrong :) Keep up the great work!

...Yes, this is your girlfriend Aaron :)

I'm willing to bet I'm just like millions of other consumers who will refuse to buy any products or services advertised in any way during a Michael Vick game. ...and that includes the Baltimore Sun.

I am an “animal rights activist”, an no he does not deserve to have his job back. He is a felon. How many felons are working for the Sunpaper? You make no sense at all.

I like your girlfriend.

Vick did not earn any degree from Va. Tech! He rarely went to class at all. But that's another story. He is a monster!! Go away.

Vick does not belong befor the public in an sport. He has no sport about him..To torture and animal as Vick did .....Is that a sport?? No! I will never support any team that allows Vick to play. Disgusting Creep. Thanks, Jerry

Sure, what happened to these dog was awful, but seriously worse things happen in puppy mills and pet stores every day. We just don’t hear about it because they’re not owned by NFL players........... I own a pet store and NEVER once drowned or electrocuted and of my animals......... don't even try to put the focus off of dog fighting onto the pet store puppy mill bullsh**t you watched on oprah. Dog fighting is bad enough but the other horribles things they did besides dog fighting is disgusting! And your just as bad for defending him. Who says i didn't know what they were doing i was just paying to run it?. he knew exactly what was going on in HIS OWN BACKYARD.

Michael Vick given another chance. What about those poor animals? Defenseless. Shows what a real bully he is. Something is seriously wrong with our society to idolize athletes in this country who have no morals. Great role model for the young people of this country. THUG is his middle name. Wonder what he will be caught doing next. Maybe skinning cats.