Michael Vick and animals?

I haven’t really been keeping up with Michael Vick.

In 2007, the NFL quarterback was discovered to be heavily involved in an illegal dog-fighting ring out of his own home for at least five years. He subsequently served 21 months in jail.

When he was released there was increased media attention, and his future in the National Football League was to be determined.

There were a few weeks in which I joined with other upset animal lovers and pet owners to speak out as much as we could against the man who was responsible for numerous horrific dog deaths.

After the announcement came in 2009 that the Philadelphia Eagles signed Vick, I thought there was nothing more I could do personally. I didn’t intend to root for his team in the future, although my support would not be missed as I am not the biggest football fan.

Fast-forward a year or so, and most of us are no longer tracking his every move.
An occasional Vick reference is ordinary, but his name is no longer heard on television or read in newspapers on a daily basis.

Since the time when his scandal was fresh and his fate was to be decided, I hadn’t given him much consideration.

However, this past weekend, Vick’s name caught my eye in “news” section of the Humane Society of the United States’ website.

I like to keep up with certain nonprofits, the Humane Society being one of them.
Vick has joined forces with Humane Society to educate children in poorer areas of the country about the dangers of dog fighting, both to the animals and to the people who organize the sport.

The gruesome activity attracts people in areas where easy money is needed and very appealing.

While incarcerated, Vick promised the Humane Society of the United States’ CEO Wayne Pacelle that he would join forces with the organization in hopes of swaying young, impressionable children away from becoming involved in dog fighting.
It’s safe to say I’m extremely uneasy about Vick’s new role in the campaign against dog fighting and his ability to prevent children from becoming involved in the sport.

I think many people who hear about Vick’s new gig will first question his motives. Are his new and improved policies regarding dog fighting stemming from a need to regain his former reputation?

Vick, having lost all of his endorsement deals and his spot on the Atlanta Falcons, would benefit from a relationship with the Humane Society. The partnership is providing him with a jump-start toward rejuvenating his image as a respectable athlete, one that children can look up to.

I think it shows maturity if we can push past our doubts about Vick’s reasons for taking part in this educational project.

The only person who can know Vick’s true motives is Vick himself. We shouldn’t waste time and energy analyzing why he chose to become involved.

What makes me most uncomfortable is how children who might be at risk for becoming involved in illegal dog fighting are being offered an unrealistic role model.

Vick should not be the prime example for showing the consequences of involving oneself in dog fighting.

Sure, he served 21 months in jail. Yes, he lost his spot on the NFL team that he had been a part of for six years.

But where is he now?

He is the starting quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles and on his way to amassing another fortune.

I hope Vick is eloquent when explaining the emotional turmoil he faced when he realized how horrific and barbaric his actions were.

Without that, the children he speaks to will look past the damage he caused and focus on the life he was able to regain almost instantaneously.


E-mail: abeander@indiana.edu