Michael Vick: A Spokesperson for Animals?

Whether or not Michael Vick is reinstated with the NFL, it is the American Humane Association’s sincere hope that he will make good on his reported intention to be a visible spokesperson against dog fighting and animal cruelty, “and that he will use his continuing celebrity and notoriety to become a positive role model for compassion and empathy to both people and animals, states Marie Belew Wheatley, president and CEO of the American Human Association, a nonprofit that develops policies, legislation, curricula, and training programs to protect children and animals from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

As for Vick’s reinstatement, that will be the NFL commissioner’s decision. American Humane is neither lobbying for nor against it. Since Vick’s indictment, American Humane has communicated with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s office on several occasions, as well as separately with the judge who sentenced Vick. “Our original concern was that Vick, if and when found guilty, should receive a sentence appropriate to his crimes and his inhumane treatment of animals,” says Wheatley. “The judicial process ran its course. Now it is up to others– such as Goodell, the public, and Vick–to what the future holds for Vick.”

Update on August 17, 2009
As publicly stated in late July, American Humane lobbied neither for nor against Vick’s reinstatement in the NFL, but did express its sincere hope and expectation that he make good on his stated intention of becoming a visible and strong influence against dog fighting and animal cruelty.

YOUR COMMENTS:

Barbara Saunders wrote: “The danger is that Vick will just be using his bully pulpit to buff his own image.”

Sharon Waldrop wrote: “People who could possibly do the things to animals that Michael Vick has done do not change, and completing his sentence doesn’t take any of it back (nor does it bring those poor dogs back to life or take away the horror of the ways in which they were killed).
Michael Vick wants one thing–reinstatement of his NFL career and the millions that go with it. However, even those multi-million dollar NFL contracts weren’t enough for him since he had to bankroll a dog fighting operation to supplement it.”

Andrew Garfinkel wrote: “Well you can argue that he has paid his debt to society by serving out his prison term, so he does deserve a second chance. But he really has to show remorse for what he did (e.g., become an advocate for animal welfare, speak out against dog fights) to prove that he deserved the second chance from a moral point-of-view.”
Matt wrote: “Michael Vick is a disgusting excuse for a human. He does NOT deserve a second chance. He made a choice to side with people that take part in animal cruelty and death. He went to prison, yes. But that does not make up for the message he sent and will continue to send if he returns to football. Those of us with sanity on our side need to send a message that this type of behavior is not acceptable and BAN Vick from ever playing again.”

Jennifer wrote: “Michael Vick is just using this as a publicity stunt. I think it’s ludicrous that anyone in the animal world would want anything to do with him. He should be ashamed of himself. The more we collectively as a society talk about him, the stronger he gets…. let’s drop the issue already.”

Julie wrote: “Sure. And let’s get convicted sex offenders to speak out against child abuse. How about a rapist to talk about his newfound respect for women? Maybe OJ can do a PSA on spousal abuse. Vick is a disgusting POS who should never be allowed on a ing field again. But he will, because he makes money for himself and others, and because his victims were “just dogs.” Personally, I hope someone takes the guy out and we can stop hearing about this waste of space.”

Bev wrote: “I haven’t seen any remorse coming from Michael Vick and therefore, firstly, believe that the NFL should NOT take him back. Nor, secondly, do I believe he will make good on becoming a spokesperson against animal cruelity. What has changed in him and why; how did this change-of-heart develop; in prison? There are people who love animals and there are people who treat them cruelly all their lives. I believe he is one of them and unless he had some kind of epiphany, I don’t believe his nature has changed.”