The Triangle

Issue date: 8/28/09 Section: Ed-Op

Media Credit: David Maialetti The Philadelphia Daily News/MCT Campus

Dear Editor,


I know we have all been inundated by the media coverage of Michael Vick's recent legal troubles, but has anyone actually given him a chance? Let me preface this article by saying I love animals, and I am actually working to complete my pre-veterinarian requirements. I think harming animals is awful; however, they are still just animals.

The dogs that Vick was accused of killing were mutts and were going to die anyway. Vick may have done them a favor by putting them out of their misery earlier. He saved the state of Virginia money by taking the problem into his own hands.

Some look at his killing of animals as Vick just senselessly killing dogs. But in actuality, Michael Vick can be likened to a veterinarian performing euthanasia on dogs past their prime. He took dogs and he gave them a purpose to live, then he took it upon himself to put to sleep the dogs that needed it.

The media has also always had it out for the Vick family. Marcus Vick, Michael's brother, should be a starter in the NFL right now, but the media hounded him throughout his college career making it difficult for him to latch on in the Pros.

As a black quarterback it seems as if the standards are set higher. The media portrayed Vick as guilty and the NFL was debating whether to suspend him before all the facts were even out. He had yet to even be formally charged. Even Ray Lewis got more of a break from the media, and he was involved in an actual murder of a human being.

Which leads me to my next point: THEY WERE DOGS! Yes it is awful, and yes it should not have happened. Michael Vick should be punished. But jail time?

Should my fantasy team have to suffer because he put some homeless animals, which were most likely going to be euthanized anyway, out of their misery?

Michael Vick should have to pay a fine and do a substantial amount of community service, but don't deny fans the opportunity of watching the three-time Pro-Bowler play.

Vick should be applauded as a hero for the way he stepped up to the charges. He admitted his guilt, and with a good lawyer he could have probably got cleared of the charges. That's the type of morals that America needs to see- grown men taking full responsibility for their actions.

This is the type of man who should be in commercials. I can see it now: a Nike commercial, Mike Vick in front of a judge. Then it cuts to black screen saying, "Just did it." That's an example of man whose jersey is worth buying.


Artie Woods

Senior, Information Technology

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