Commissioner to Reinstate Michael Vick?

If the statement that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell made yesterday is true, expect to see Michael Vick back in the NFL this season or next.

The NFL Annual Meeting concluded, but not before Commissioner Goodell made it clear what Michael would have to do to return to the playing field:

“I’m not going to make a judgment until I know all the facts on Michael Vick. I think it’s clear he’s paid a price, but to a large extent he’s going to have to demonstrate to the larger community — not just to the NFL community and to me — that he has remorse for what he did and that he recognizes mistakes that he made. Everyone makes mistakes, but he has to show that genuine remorse in his ability to be a positive influence to correct the things that he did wrong publicly.”

How hard can that be? All Michael has to do is say he deeply regrets what he did (publicly, duh) and maybe make a few smart (common sense) public relations decisions and he’s good to go. I’m sorry, I don’t sympathize with Michael’s situation. He’s been in prison for almost two years. Yes, he’s paid his debt to society and yes he deserves another chance to get his life together. But does that mean he’s entitled to the privileges — and I emphasize privileges — of employment in the National Football League again? I don’t think so. Commissioner Goodell said “everyone makes mistakes.” That is true. I certainly make my fair share of them. But, not everyone tortures and kills dogs for fun. I guess there are varying levels of mistakes that need to be taken into consideration here. The Commissioner also said he needs to know all the facts about Michael before making a judgment. Like he doesn’t know them already? The facts have been pretty well documented for the entire world to read. I don’t know what other facts he could be talking about.

Essentially, there will be two sides here — those that think dogs are “just animals” and those who support animal rights. Obviously, I am of the latter. Maybe Michael is a changed man. Maybe he is truly sorry for what he did. I can’t express enough how I hope that’s true. But that doesn’t mean he should have his hand stamped for re-entry into the league again just because he says he’s sorry. If the Commissioner is really sincere about enforcing the type of behavior he not only expects, but demands, from NFL players, he’ll make an example of Michael’s situation and “revoke his membership” permanently. Sounds harsh, doesn’t it? Well, the punishment should fit the crime.

Source: USA Today, Photo: Newscom