Football season is nigh, and I can smell it. Though it’s consistently been about 108 degrees here for the last month here in Arizona, we are ready–My wife actually commented that she was excited for it to be here. Perhaps, for me, football season is doubly enjoyable now because not only do I get to watch my hometown Colts but I get to watch the Phoenix Cards as well who’ve been really fun to watch over the last couple of seasons.
The approach of football season this time also brings with it the aroma of controversy. I’m happy Michael Vick has paid his debt to society and everything–that’s how our legal system works–but I still have questions about his re-instatement and recent signing with the Philadelphia Eagles.
If, as Roger Goodell wrote, Michael Vick’s “conduct has brought embarrassment and ridicule upon [himself], [his] club and the NFL,” then what has Michael Vick done to reverse that damage. If Goodell was protecting the league’s integrity, how has Michael Vick’s prison stint somehow limited the league’s “P.R. liability”.
Let’s way it against other professions… I know that, as a REALTOR covering the Phoenix real estate market, if I violate the public trust and bring embarrassment upon my profession, I run a very real risk of losing my ability to practice my profession. What about doctors, lawyers, firemen, police officers, etc? If they lose their job for violating that trust, they must find another line of work. Michael Vick not only violated the law–to which, as I mentioned before, he has served his societal debt–but he also violated the terms of his player contract, and in my world it’s time for him to look for a new job, and Michael, you may want to cancel that interview with PETA.
It isn’t just about Michael Vick though. If you cruise over to http://nflcrimes.blogspot.com/, you’ll see how many of these guys just can’t seem to stay out of trouble. Just scroll down the list and you’ll see everything from misdemeanor traffic violations to assault, drunk and disorderly conduct, DUIs, to manslaughter and attempted murder.
I think the NFL has a big P.R. problem, and though I’m all in favor of giving people a chance in life, and love the story about someone gone bad who comes back around to the good side, I don’t think that Goodell’s re-instatement of Michael Vick lends any credibility to his “get tough” stance against criminals in the league. I think it just muddies the waters, and makes everyone look bad. Ultimately the fans–specifically the fans in Philly–will decide whether Vick will work in Philadelphia, and public opinion will decide whether he is fit to play in the league.
Michael Vick’s Signing with the Eagles Raises Questions.
courtesy uweekly.com
Football season is nigh, and I can smell it. Though it’s consistently been about 108 degrees here for the last month here in Arizona, we are ready–My wife actually commented that she was excited for it to be here. Perhaps, for me, football season is doubly enjoyable now because not only do I get to watch my hometown Colts but I get to watch the Phoenix Cards as well who’ve been really fun to watch over the last couple of seasons.
The approach of football season this time also brings with it the aroma of controversy. I’m happy Michael Vick has paid his debt to society and everything–that’s how our legal system works–but I still have questions about his re-instatement and recent signing with the Philadelphia Eagles.
If, as Roger Goodell wrote, Michael Vick’s “conduct has brought embarrassment and ridicule upon [himself], [his] club and the NFL,” then what has Michael Vick done to reverse that damage. If Goodell was protecting the league’s integrity, how has Michael Vick’s prison stint somehow limited the league’s “P.R. liability”.
Let’s way it against other professions… I know that, as a REALTOR covering the Phoenix real estate market, if I violate the public trust and bring embarrassment upon my profession, I run a very real risk of losing my ability to practice my profession. What about doctors, lawyers, firemen, police officers, etc? If they lose their job for violating that trust, they must find another line of work. Michael Vick not only violated the law–to which, as I mentioned before, he has served his societal debt–but he also violated the terms of his player contract, and in my world it’s time for him to look for a new job, and Michael, you may want to cancel that interview with PETA.
It isn’t just about Michael Vick though. If you cruise over to http://nflcrimes.blogspot.com/, you’ll see how many of these guys just can’t seem to stay out of trouble. Just scroll down the list and you’ll see everything from misdemeanor traffic violations to assault, drunk and disorderly conduct, DUIs, to manslaughter and attempted murder.
I think the NFL has a big P.R. problem, and though I’m all in favor of giving people a chance in life, and love the story about someone gone bad who comes back around to the good side, I don’t think that Goodell’s re-instatement of Michael Vick lends any credibility to his “get tough” stance against criminals in the league. I think it just muddies the waters, and makes everyone look bad. Ultimately the fans–specifically the fans in Philly–will decide whether Vick will work in Philadelphia, and public opinion will decide whether he is fit to play in the league.
Enjoy the season, and go Colts (Cards too)!
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