Former Philadelphia Eagles QB Michael Vick to be honored despite outcry
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced that Michael Vick will still be honored despite the controversy surrounding the decision.
By now, you’ve probably heard the news, but if you haven’t, here’s a recap. The NFL made a decision to name former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick as one of the honorary captains for the upcoming Pro Bowl, and that decision was met with public outcry.
At the time of this story being published, more than 550,000 people found their way to Change.org to sign a petition urging the NFL to reverse that decision. The petition states “To honor a man who had zero regard for animals is unacceptable”. It also seems as though several other petitions have surfaced to support the same idea.
So much for second chances and rehabilitation huh? Are people really still angry with this guy?
"Recently, League Commissioner Roger Goodell took some time to address some of the public’s concern stating “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. 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."
Since his mistake, Michael Vick went to prison in 2007. He served nearly two years as punishment for his involvement in a dogfighting ring. He lost a ton of money in the process. Time was taken from him professionally and personally that he’s never going t be able to reproduce.
After his release, the Eagles signed him in 2009. He played with the team for five seasons, earning the NFL Comeback Player of the Year, a Pro Bowl nod, and the Bert Bell Award in 2010.
Next. Malcolm Jenkins gets some well-deserved credit. dark
He played for two more seasons, one with the New York Jets and one with the Pittsburgh Steelers before he retired in 2017. The Pro Bowl is set for January 26th of 2020. We’ll have to wait and see if anything else develops.