Vick deal? He deserves maximum
Friday, Aug 17, 2007 - 12:05 AM Updated: 12:24 AM
By PAUL WOODY
TIMES-DISPATCH COLUMNIST
For taking part in the execution of eight pit bull terriers, by hanging, drowning and slamming one to the ground, Michael Vick faces 12 to 18 months in prison.
For sponsoring dogfights and engaging interstate gambling for six years, Michael Vick faces 12 to 18 months in prison.
For condoning the execution, by a .22 caliber pistol, of pit bulls that did not perform well enough in test fights, Michael Vick, quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons and former star at Virginia Tech, faces 12 to 18 months in prison.
When he's done with his prison time - good behavior will cut 15 percent off the sentence - Vick almost certainly will face a suspension from the NFL, probably for a year.
After that, he can get on with his life and football career.
Sorry. No sale.
Vick deserves the maximum penalty for his crime, five years in a federal prison. And when he is released, Vick should be banned from the NFL for life.
Enough is enough. Vick does not deserve to walk among civilized people. He certainly does not deserve to make millions of dollars playing football.
Vick and his partners brutally murdered defenseless animals. They helped perpetuate an activity that no doubt resulted in the death of countless other defenseless animals.
If Vick receives a 12-month sentence, 10.2 months with the good-time credit, followed by a year's suspension from the NFL, he could be back in uniform by his 29th birthday.
For taking part in the execution of eight pit bull terriers, by hanging, drowning and slamming one to the ground? For sponsoring dogfights and interstate gambling for six years? For condoning the execution, by a .22 caliber pistol, of pit bulls that did not perform well enough in test fights?
No way.
Vick did the crime. He deserves the full amount of the time.
You can argue that even with a 12-month sentence, Vick will have paid his debt and made amends for his behavior. You can say he has cost himself millions in salary, bonuses and endorsements.
But given the mentality of NFL coaches and teams, Vick will have several teams bidding for his services soon after his NFL suspension ends. He'll begin to recoup the millions he lost.
The image consultants will turn Vick into a champion of the animal kingdom. He'll be forgiven for his crimes and be highly sought by fantasy football players everywhere.
That's what we do. We take low-life miscreants who have a unique talent and project qualities on them - they're gracious and giving and have soft hearts - because that's what we want in our icons.
Now we know Vick is none of those things. The softness of a person's heart should be judged on how he treats the defenseless and by how he acts when no one is watching.
Vick fails on both counts.
He does not deserve a lucrative contract to play football. He never again should have tens of thousands of fans in stadiums cheering for him.
What Vick did was despicable.
Vick's athletic skills long have gotten him breaks. As severe as a 12to 18-month prison term sounds, Vick would be getting another break if he receives such a sentence.
All others who engage in dogfighting need to be afraid, very afraid that they're next in line for five years in prison. Every NFL player who thinks he is above the law should be put on notice he is not.
Playing in the NFL is high-reward, high-profile endeavor.
Vick has shown he deserves neither the reward nor the profile.
He deserves to be punished. Five years in prison and a lifetime ban from the NFL are good places to start.
