Commentary about Michael Vick’s return
My husband and I watched bits and pieces of the Philadelphia Eagles game Sunday to see if Michael Vick would play. He did, of course, and had a luke-warm performance. Two years in prison will do that to you.
But what was so interesting to me was the post-game interview with the TV guys. They asked him if it was a great day in his life to be back on the field. He said it was one of the top three days of his life – second to the day he was drafted. What is the third best day?
I’d bet it was the day he was released from federal prison for his hand in a dogfighting ring. But the TV commentators didn’t really bring that up. That wasn’t the point of his comeback, right? That stuff is in the past. No need to address it. Better to go ahead and pretend he was gone for 1,001 days for no reason at all – a mysterious gap in time that doesn’t need to be explained.
I thought the reporters took the easy way out. Yes, asked Vick about the REASON he was allowed to have this magnificent second chance would have been uncomfortable. But I think returning a cruel dog fighter to a position of fame and power is sort of an uncomfortable topic. Address it. Don’t ignore it.
A Baltimore Sun columnist hits the nail on the head with his commentary about interviews with Michael Vick. Check out his column here.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – bear hunters prep for season
Check out these stories in The Oklahoman this weekend and today -
- Pigs ham it up during races at fair. (Oklahoma City – check out photos here!)
- Puggerfest returns. (Oklahoma City)
- Black bear hunts to begin Thursday. (Latimer, Le Flore, McCurtain and Pushmataha counties)
- The state’s first bear season begins Thursday, and no one really knows what to expect.
- NFL Notebook: Vick is back. (Pennsylvania)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – Michael Vick gets a deal
Check out these animal stories in The Okahoman today -
- Vick signs deal with Eagles. (Pennsylvania)
- Michael Vick doesn’t belong in Philadelphia. (Pennsylvania)
- Exxon Mobil will pay thousands for deaths of 85 migratory birds. (page 2d, Washington, D.C.)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – squirrels are sneaky
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Event to help more dogs. (Oklahoma City)
- Pet Tales: Sneaky squirrel jars couple with tit for tat. (Oklahoma City)
- Chihuahua serves as fire alarm for two men. (The Village)
- Dungy says Vick’s choices limited. (Indiana)
- Eighty pit bulls seized in raid. (Indiana)
- Wolf release raises questions. (New Mexico)
- Rachel Ray planning pet charity contest. (California)
- Help available for storm-phobic dogs. (nationwide)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Vick’s comeback could help in fight against cruelty
Now it’s up to Michael Vick.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell reinstated the just one week after he completed his federal sentence for dogfighting. He’s allowed to practice and participate in team activities, and Goodell will consider in mid-October whether to allow him to play in games. But that’s only if a team picks him up.
“Needless to say, your margin for error is extremely limited,” Goodell said in a letter to Vick, according to reports from the Associated Press. “I urge you to take full advantage of the resources available to support you and to dedicate yourself to rebuilding your life and your career. If you do this, the NFL will support you.”
This causes a strong reaction from those of us who love dogs – disappointment, anger, frustration. The NFL has a reputation for allowing players convicted of crimes to continue without reparation. This decision to allow Vick to return continues down that path of indifference.
But there’s potential for some real good to come out of this. Yes, really.
Michael Vick has expressed remorse about his involvement with Bad Newz Kennels, the dogfighting operation he financed. He’s promised the world he has changed. It’s hard to believe that’s true. Can someone who so callously allowed animals to be torn to shreds and abused ever really become human again? Vick has a chance to show us if it’s possible.
After Goodell makes his decision about whether Vick can play in games, he’ll be off the hook for good. He’ll have wrapped up his prison sentence and been allowed to return to a salary that most of us can only dream about.
So that’s when he’ll have his chance.
He doesn’t have to put on a front. He doesn’t have to play to the cameras. He doesn’t have to tell everyone in sight that he’s sorry because he’ll have nothing to gain. Right now it’s debatable whether he’s really sorry. Come October, we can find out if he really is.
Come October, Vick could be a real force for change in the world of dogfighting.
He’ll be in the limelight because of his career, and therefore he’ll be a natural role model for children and adults alike. He’ll have the chance to continue his work against animal cruelty for no other benefit than doing the right thing. He can show that people can change and that dogfighting is wrong. He can become a powerful voice against animal cruelty. If he chooses.
For those of us who have been angry at the former football star and his ruthlessness, this is a chance for him to prove us all wrong. I hope he does.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – a dog that tucks children in bed
Holy moly! I was out of town, so there’s lots of catching up to do. Here are the animal stories in The Oklahoma today, yesterday, Saturday and Friday -
- For kids in therapy, a new best friend. (Oklahoma City, video below)
- Funding issues hamper animal rescue’s efforts. (Harrah)
- Two men hurt in attack by pit bulls. (Midwest City)
- Car show benefits pets. (Oklahoma City)
- Horse show to draw top trainers. (Ardmore)
- Rescue calls charges in cruelty case “sad.” (Sayre)
- More arrests expected in illegal horse racing. (Guymon)
- Report: Goodell decides on Vick. (New Jersey)
- Owens says NFL unfair in handling Vick’s status. (New York)
- Film may put critters in false light. (California)
- Meat packer suspended. (Kansas)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – D-Boy is the man
Check out these (five million!) animal stories in The Oklahoman since Saturday -
- Pit bull is “People’s Hero” for taking burglar’s shots. (Oklahoma City)
- What’s new at the zoo? (Oklahoma City, page 16a, Saturday)
- Pet policies revisited. (nationwide, page 1b, Saturday)
- Southwest Airlines to add new fees for pets, unaccompanied minors. (nationwide)
- Redemption and Michael Vick. (NewsOK Religion and Values blog)
- Summer break can cut adoption of pets. (Stillwater, Edmond, Oklahoma City, Muskogee)
- Dog owner stabs worker. (Oklahoma City)
- Head to the bat cave. (Freedom)
- National Geographic hosting photo contest. (nationwide)
- Use caution to prevent dog bites. (nationwide)
- Reptile study keeps Tinker on track. (Midwest City)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – columnist says Vick should play
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Berry Tramel: Give Vick another chance.
- Butterflies spread their wings at zoo. (Oklahoma City)
- Animal adoption event set. (Midwest City, page 2d)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – Vick dog in Oklahoma update
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Former Vick dog finds new life here. Fighting still a problem in some areas, experts say. (statewide, photos below)
- Training pups to help people is no easy task. (Oklahoma City)
- Kids can ride in style. (Yukon, page 1d)
- Zookeeper camp offers hands-on fun. (Norman)
- Pet Tales: Mischievous dog a real Diamond. (El Reno)
- Know when pet needs prompt vet care. (nationwide)
- Big catch reels in funds for the MDA. (Lake Thunderbird, page 3d)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – puppy mill bill held up
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Puppy mill proposal stalled by Senate committee. (state capitol) (Read more about the puppy mill bill here.)
- Primate skeleton may tell old tale. (New York)
- Pet costs can be burden, surprise in hard times. (local column)
- Critters in the classroom. (photos below)
And read this story now on NewsOK.com:
- Michael Vick leaves Kansas prison for home confinement in Virginia. (Read more coverage of Michael Vick on the Pet Show blog here.)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
