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bamabbwsub -> RE: michael vick indicted (7/19/2007 8:31:56 PM)
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As a major animal advocate and rescuer, I find the stories about Michael Vick completely disgusting, although his is not, by any means, an isolated case. However, if anything good could possibly come from this, perhaps elevating the cruelty of dogfighting rings to the American public would be it.
quote:
"The Associated Press reported that after consulting with the Falcons, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and top league officials agreed Wednesday to let Vick play as the legal process determines the facts.
What I find most amazing on some of the blogs I've read (most notably the blog on the Falcons website), is how people keep saying, "Let him play until he's proven guilty." And apparently, judging from Goodell's action (or INaction, as the case may be), the NFL agrees. And yet, what disturbs me perhaps the most about the NFL's stance is that they don't seem to be considering the status of today's athletes as icons and role models. Americans pay big bucks to attend the games, we buy the magazines that feature our favorite athletes, we buy the jerseys with our favorite player's number, and we buy the products that they are paid millions to endorse. These are all in support of a person that we look up to.
Now consider if Michael Vick were a teacher, or a policeman, or a minister, or any other public figure whose profession is one in which higher standards are placed. Would that teacher, policeman, or minister be left to continue his or her work while the court system decided his guilt or innocence? Hardly. By being a public figure -- a role model -- Michael Vick should be suspended simply because the mere suspicion of wrongdoing places a negative slant on his profession, his team, and the NFL as a whole. Is it fair? Maybe not. But tell that to the other working Joes who are suspended from their jobs while their legal fates are being determined. I doubt you'd find much sympathy there.
Just my .02.
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