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Lots of NFL players have been banned for life over drug abuse, and IMO, Vick's offense of running a dog-fighting operation sets an even worse example for young people. Athletes usually use drugs in the hope that it will enhance their performance -- a matter of employing dubious means to achieve a worthwhile goal. Forcing animals to fight to the death to entertain an audience is the exact ANTITHESIS of a real sport, and anyone who has been heavily involved in it is as much an enemy of the sports world as players who have been bribed to "throw" games by gamblers. So yes, Michael Vick has served a two-year prison sentence for cruelty to animals, and on the legal level has "paid his debt to society", but I still don't like the idea of him ever again wearing an NFL unifrom and being cheered as a hero when he helps his team win games.When I first heard that Vick had finished his sentence and was seeking reinstatement, my first impulse was to write an appeal to progressive-minded sports fans to contact the NFL Commissioner and urge him to "just say no". But when I visited the NFL's Web site, I discovered that there is no e-mail address there for him, or any other provision for sending a message to the League management at all. This shocked me, because other professional sports leagues have such provisions, and so do most NFL teams. However, the site does have a blog where the Michael Vick matter was being discussed, and I found the following information:
"Posted: July 23rd, 2009 | Jason La Canfora | Tags: Greg Aiello, Michael Vick, Roger Goodell, suspension
"Despite reports that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will suspend Michael Vick for four games as part of a conditional reinstatement, the league is adamant than the review of the quarterback's status is ongoing, that no determinations have been made and that there is no timetable for a decision.
"Several people in the NFL office believe a ruling on Vick could come this month, but the official word hasn't wavered: No decision has been made, and no comments will be forthcoming until there is a ruling. As for an official statement, here is what Greg Aiello, NFL spokesman, e-mailed me when I inquired about Vick's status: 'This is a serious matter. We are engaging in a careful and thoughtful process, and no decisions have been made'."
So there may be a chance that a protest will influence the NFL's decision on Vick's reinstatement, but at the moment, I'm not sure how to go about it, and all I can think of is to write this diary entry and see if any other OEN members have any suggestions.
