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If you had told me in 2007 that Michael Vick would be one of four Legends captains for a future Pro Bowl, I would have asked for the contact information of your drug dealer.
The NFL announced that Vick, who spent 18 months in federal prison for his role in the Bad Newz Kennels dog fighting ring that led authorities to seize over 70 dogs (mostly pit bulls), would be an honorary captain for the 2020 Pro Bowl in Orlando.
While NFL players like Torrey Smith, David Akers and Benjamin Watson have supported the NFL’s decision to recognize Vick’s successful rehabilitation, hundreds of thousands of others are refusing to forgive the former NFL Comeback Player of the Year for crimes he committed over a decade ago.
At the time of this writing, the Change.org petition created by a woman named Joanna Lind has garnered over 564,500 signatures protesting the NFL honoring a man whose conduct Roger Goodell once called “not only illegal, but also cruel and reprehensible.”
The petition reads:
Just saw this on Facebook and was absolutely disgusted. When is the NFL going to take any responsibility for the behavior of it’s current and former players? To honor a man who had zero regard for animals is unacceptable and I would like your help to make sure he is NOT honored at the 2020 NFL Pro Bowl.
The backlash has been so severe that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was forced to comment on the decision.
“Over the last, what is it, nine years or so, we have supported Michael in his, what I think his recognition of the mistake he made,” said Goodell. “He’s paid a heavy price for that. He’s been accountable for it. He’s worked aggressively with the Humane Society and other institutions to deal with animal rights and to make sure people don’t make the same mistake he made, and I admire that.”
“I know that there are people out there that will never forgive him. He knows that. But I think this is a young man that has really taken his life in a positive direction and we support that. So I don’t anticipate any change,” Goodell said.
You won’t catch me saying this often, but I agree with Goodell on this one. It’s important to offer a path for redemption and honor it if upstanding behavior is sustained over a long period of time. Vick seems to have completely transformed his world view. Please note, I am saying this without revisiting the disgusting details of his crimes.
https://twitter.com/marciewolf/status/1204221870595284993?s=20
Ok, maybe I forgave too soon.
Here’s a picture of my dog. I love you, Byron.