Spewing on Vick

So, the mega spin machines have been cranking in over drive since Vick signed with the Eagles. He's made the interview rounds, sharing intimacies over his own horror and revulsion over his actions. His coach has said there is self loathing. Everyone seems to be rallying to his side for that ever popular human phenomena . . . the second chance.

I know, ya'll have been waiting for my thoughts so that you might also have an opinion. (Someday, I will be my own media outlet and people will not form a thought until I have given it to them . . . and they will call me by my initials . . . TSB. . . I'll be a major "news" network.)

First, Vick didn't just commit one crime. There were a string of criminal activities. Aside from the profiteering and gambling and what have you . . . there was the "training" and the cruelty and the viciousness of the fights and the inhumane way animals were punished, killed, and disposed of over and over again. This was not an accident. This was an intentional, criminal undertaking. This was a series of actions that resulted in something horrifying.

The human justice system meted out a punishment for him . . . fines, loss of fortune, prison, etc.

But, now, he has the monumental task of proving himself. Not just as a football player, on the field, during games. But as a human. A person of talent and substance. That will take far more than a spin machine.

If, in five years time, Vick has used his abilities, his talents, and his fortune to become a shining example of humanity. . . then I will say that he deserved a second chance. He will need to be a leader within his team. He will need to prove his dedication as well as his talents. But, off the field, away from practice or the game I will expect to see him selecting his cohorts with more care. I will expect to see him staying away from situations that could lead to trouble. I will look to see him be a leader in serving his community . . . in both public and private ways.

When that becomes the lifestyle he adopts, then the second chance was deserved. But, if he tests positive for drugs or is involved in other violence or surrounds himself with people who think masculinity is defined by criminal or thuggish behavior . . . then I expect society to turn their backs on him and waste no more effort or resources on him.