Michael Vick Should Not Be Allowed to Return to the NFL

On Wednesday, May 20th, 2009 Michael Vick was released from Leavenworth prison to serve the remaining two months of his 23-month sentence in home confinement. In August 2007, Vick pleaded guilty to a federal charge of funding a dogfighting operation at one of his homes in Virginia. Some argue that because Michael Vick pleaded guilty and is working to complete his sentence, he should be able to return to the NFL. However, I disagree. I believe that Michael Vick should be banned from playing in the NFL for life.

First, I do not believe that a person who was directly or indirectly responsible for the torture of animals, as Michael Vick was, could be rehabilitated in less than two years. Michael Vick might regret having been caught being involved with dogfighting, but probably does not regret being involved in dogfighting. Prison cannot change inherent cruelty that easily. Some say that Michael Vick is planning to work with the Humane Society to help end dogfighting, and in the same breath mention that he is also intending to try to get reinstated in the NFL. It is clear that Vick will do what he thinks is necessary to return to football. Another thing to note is that those who are most cruel to animals early in life are those most likely to become serial killers.

If Michael Vick returns to the NFL, what will happen? It is likely that Vick will begin to receive a substantial salary almost immediately, if drafted. Likewise, Vick will probably return to the lifestyle that he led before being arrested. The money and status will return, so what will keep Michael Vick from returning to acting in a way that is cruel to animals? If this truly is an addiction, Vick will quickly be tempted to return to his old ways, and there will be little to stop him from succumbing.

What message would allowing Vick to return to the NFL send to young people that look up to football players? I feel that the answer to this question is fairly obvious. Allowing Michael Vick to return to the NFL would send the message that it is okay to perform or enable cruel, criminal acts and that afterwards you can return to your extremely high-paying job after a relatively short stint in prison.

Compared to the sentence that Vick could have received, the one he did receive was a slap on the wrist. I don't feel like Vick will have changed considerably at the end of his sentence, and I feel that it's unfair to give him a second chance in the NFL when he was so easily corrupted by fame and fortune, and I feel that allowing Vick's return would send the wrong message about money and status to the nation's youth. Michael Vick has millions to his name, which is more than what most people make in their lifetimes. He will be fine. Why are we worried about whether he can play a game or not?