Philadelphia Eagle Quarterback Michael Vick: Courage Under Fire?

NFL quarterback Michael Vick returned to the league this year after serving out his sentence for running a dog fighting operation. Due to the egregious nature of his crimes, Vick found it difficult finding a team to take him, and his heavy baggage. Eventually, the former Falcon, would become an eagle, finding a new home in Philadelphia.

The Philadelphia Eagles knew there would be criticism over the Vick signing, but they are a strong organization with the ability to sustain any backlash. To date, Vick hasn't been a distraction, possibly because he's remained on the sidelines for the majority of the season. Primarily a cheerleader, Vick has accepted his role on the team.

During the season, Vick has managed to stay out of the headlines, until recently. With the heat of the bright lights again blaring down on him, Vick listened to the latest criticism. The Eagle players voted (unanimously) to give Vick, the Ed Block Courage Award, bringing out the Vick protestors again.

"Michael Vick should not be the person anyone points to as a model of sportsmanship, even though he has now exchanged dogs for touchdowns after serving time for extreme cruelty to animals. We wish him well in educating others, but this is not appropriate and does not mark a joyous moment in NFL history." PETA may always have distrust, and even dislike for Michael Vick, for his documented cruelty to animals. Many people will never like Michael Vick, and that's their prerogative, just as it was his teammates, to award him the Courage Award.

Michael Vick committed unspeakable acts, repeatedly. He callously used dogs for sport and financial gain, with no regard to the pain and suffering inflicted on the animals. No one will ever forget what Vick did. At this point, there is nothing Michael Vick can do to erase his past, none of us can.

While many may not like an award for courage, given to a man who at one point showed so little, Vick has shown if not courage, perseverance and determination. The quarterback worked his way back into the league, where nothing was guaranteed, and there was strong doubt he could still play at the NFL level. While he's working his way back onto the field, Michael Vick must be prepared for the boos, hecklers, and protestors, he must endure that and carry on, because he's created this situation.

We can't see if Michael Vick has truly changed, we can't measure his courage, because we aren't around the QB. The Ed Block Courage Award, has nothing to do with the public's perception of Michael Vick. The award is solely based on his teammates opinion, and shouldn't that be enough?

Michael Vick will never be the exciting quarterback he once was, a QB entrusted to be the face of an organization. Instead, Vick has become another disgraced athlete. Vick's NFL career will always be overshadowed by his dog fighting conviction, hopefully the life of Michael Vick won't be defined by it.

Sources:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/23/michael-vick-wins-courage_n_401996.html