Michael Vick: Still no takers in the NFL for disgraced quarterback

Late last month, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced that former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick will be allowed to return to professional football.  Vick, of course, was banned from league play following the revelation of his involvement in a dogfighting ring called Bad Newz Kennels. 

The announcement was met with a mixed public reaction; some football fans cheered the return of Vick, whose talent on the field is unquestionable.  But many animal lovers fumed.

"Michael Vick is a sick individual. No one says he can't earn a living. But I sure don't want to see him on my TV every Sunday afternoon," Unleashed reader SCGirl wrote.  

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals president Ed Sayres expressed a similar sentiment in the weeks before Vick's conditional reinstatement was announced.  In a statement, Sayres said that Vick "most decidedly deserves to be employed. However, the question isn't whether he deserves to earn a livelihood ... The question is whether Mr. Vick should be able to re-join the ranks of the elite athletes in the NFL."  Professional football players are looked on by many people as both heroes and role models, Sayres added, questioning whether it's appropriate to put a player with Vick's record of animal cruelty in such a position.

Public outcry or no, Vick will, most likely, be back on the football field in the fall -- that is, if a team will hire him.  The Falcons released him from his contract in June.  And representatives from several other teams have announced publicly that they're not interested, among them the Miami Dolphins and the Cincinnati Bengals.

Add one Southern California team -- the San Diego Chargers -- to the "do not want" list.  "Some head coaches and GMs would talk about it, but for what?" Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith said in an interview with The Times. "I don't know why you'd want to fool with it."

Also on the list of uninterested teams, according to USA Today: the Buffalo Bills, the New York Giants, the Oakland Raiders, the St. Louis Rams and the San Francisco 49ers, among others. 

Some have speculated that the Green Bay Packers may take the plunge and sign the disgraced former star, but the team's general manager, Ted Thompson, has remained coy.  "What is the answer that we give to questions like this? We're always looking to improve our team," he told the Associated Press. "We look at all options at all times. I wouldn't care to speculate in terms of the odds or the percentages (of signing Vick) or anything like that."

Meanwhile, it's still unclear just what Vick's role will entail in his planned partnership with the Humane Society of the United States on its anti-dogfighting campaign.  After the partnership between the animal protection organization and the former dogfighter was announced, Humane Society president and CEO Wayne Pacelle said that he couldn't be certain of Vick's intentions; many guessed that the move was a calculated one on Vick's part, designed to put him back in the good graces of the NFL.  But, Pacelle wrote on his blog, Vick told him that he had "changed forever. And he said he wants to show the American public that he is committed to helping combat this problem. He asked for an opportunity to help. I want to give him that opportunity."

Pacelle shared some interesting insights, including what he saw as an "insurance policy" for the Humane Society when it agreed to work with Vick, in the video below:

Earlier this week, a planned celebration for Vick in his home city of Newport News, Va., was postponed because, Vick said, it conflicted with an event he was attending in Atlanta.  The Newport News event's coordinator said that the Atlanta event was a Humane Society function, but the Humane Society had no comment when questioned by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

For its part, PETA has vowed to keep a close eye on Vick as he begins his new life outside Leavenworth prison, and it has started a letter-writing campaign to Goodell asking him to mandate completion of its online course "Developing Empathy for Animals" for all NFL players.

RELATED:
Animal lovers, football teams react to Michael Vick's conditional reinstatement in NFL
Sports Illustrated features Michael Vick's pit bulls

OTHER L.A. TIMES STORIES:
Ted Green: Michael Vick has every right to play in the NFL
Diane Pucin: Michael Vick paid his debt, but should NFL let him play?

-- Lindsay Barnett

Photo: Vick during a 2006 Atlanta Falcons-Dallas Cowboys game.  Credit: Rob Carr / Associated Press
Video: Humane Society of the United States

Comments

[Dawn]

No football in this household if that scumbag gets anywhere near a field..Sorry the HSUS supports him..we have pulled our donations from them.

[Ellsworth]

Just because Vick did his time, it does not mean he should return to football. His presence is a sickening reminder of the lifestyle he led. We'll always remember ESPN's video of the crime scene. It's a pity, but he is not fit to return.

Yahoo Sports reported that E-Poll found 72% of sports fans dislike Vick. Not only that, but he made the top of the list for Most Disliked Athlete. Manny Ramirez placed a distant second place at 58%.

[LaShun Sharp]

Well Mike did do wrong. But he have serve his time. After he get bac n the league an score a few td's everyone will put all that wrong he did on the back burner.

[Kel]

Seriously Dawn, you know damn well that you don't watch football anyway. The man has paid his debt and then some. I would love to see him on my team. As a matter of fact, I would pay to see it.

Sincerely,

True football fan

[Josh Teaster]

What authority does animal rights activists have over Mike Vick? It's great that Vick is standing up and making a difference. But, I seriously doubt that the NFL will lose any money or credibility or revenue over a team hiring Mike Vick. Once he starts to win games, I am certain that EVERYONE will forget about what he has done. It's so mind boggling!!! People act like Michael Vick is a mass murderer...My god, there has been no public outcry for Mario Reyes and how his family has suffered from a person running down their husband and father after choosing to drink and drive. Drinking and driving has been beaten into our heads over and over and over again. But, a lot of people still do it! I am willing to bet that Donte Stallworth is considered more "sign-able" than the disgraced QB who has repeatedly said he was sorry. And Vick will continue to apologize, speak against dog fighting, and continue to be under public scrutiny for the for the rest of his life. But, for most of the "vick haters", that is not good enough. But seriously, what is?

[Me]

I pray every day he goes to Miami

[Dont support Vick]

Vick is a FELON and committed a heinous act. He shouldn't be given another chance to make millions as an NFL player. Kids look up to NFL players as role models and this man definitely doesn't meet the criteria. He's not a "changed man" he's just trying to cover up what he did.

Celebrities, athletes, and the rich should not be allowed to commit felony crimes and be given a second chance to make millions.

[EmLyfe]

Look, to me Michael Vick paid his debt to society for what he did. i understand and agree that dogfighting is wrong and he should have been punished. We should not continue to punish this guy for his past actions. Look at Leonard Little for the Rams. Didn't he kill someone in a drunk driving incedent? How quickly was that swept under the table? How much time did he serve for that? Not as Much as Vick! And i think he was arrested for DWI again a few years later. Wow, i guess he didn't learn his lesson. But his punishment wasn't quite as servere as Vick's. i know what it was. Vick was milking the NFL for too much cash so they had to make an example out of him. Geez...... Leave the guy alone and let him return to work with no conditions as he has served the time handed down to him by a jury of his peers.

[Kyle]

For its part, PETA has vowed to keep a close eye on Vick as he begins his new life outside Leavenworth prison, and it has started a letter-writing campaign to Goodell asking him to mandate completion of its online course "Developing Empathy for Animals" for all NFL players.

Ridiculous, you people need to grow up, yes i agree that what he did was horrible, but the guy has paid more than most people would have for the same crime, he deserves the chance to make a living, it just so happens that what he does for a living is being a professional athlete. Grow up and go to church, learn that there is such a thing as forgiveness

[Santa Ana Vet]

I think Michael Vick has paid his legal/criminal debts to society and he shouldn't be disallowed from earning a living. That is his right, however, it is our decision to support him if he were to join the NFL. I completely understand the high level of emotions this case evokes in all of us animal lovers but we should not let it consume us to the point of being vindictive. Yes, what he did was perhaps unforgivable, but he went through our judicial system that we have constructed and now he should be able to make a living.

The best way to truly show your feelings for this case, whether you are a Vick supporter or detractor is let your money do the talking. Professional sports without your money would turn into the YMCA league over night.

[Vanilla Beast]

If someone does drugs, causes harm to humans, or does something of that nature, they're always given a second chance, but when an animal is involved, everyone wants to play God and judge them. What he did was wrong, and he paid the price, so let the man continue to do what he does. As far as you cry babies talking about he is a felon and shouldn't be allowed to play in the NFL, the NFL needs to make a NO FELON rule then. You cna't just pick one felony bcause you like dogs and say Vick can't play, it has to be fair. Either all Felons are allowed in, or no felons are allowed in. Last time I checked, they're allowed in, see you on the field this season Vick.

[Tubescreamer]

If the dog killer needs a job, my house is ready for a paint-job.

[LBW]

The difference I see in Michael Vick and Stallworth: Michael Vick made a deliberate decision to commit a felony repeatedly. A decision made out of pure greed. He certainly didn't need the money. He made intentional decisions over and over again to kill, torture and abuse defenseless animals. Then when he got caught, not only did he try to to deny it - he pointed the finger at a family member. He is not sorry for what he did; he is sorry he got caught. Everything he has done since has been a calculated decision to get himself back into the NFL.
Stallworth did not intentionally decide to go out and kill a man. He made a stupid drunken decision to drive. The end result an accident, a tragedy. But, he stayed at the scene, called 911 to get help and immediately admitted his wrong doing. He is clearly sincere in his apology to both the family of Reyes and to the NFL.
I think the way they handled themselves in the wake of their actions - speak volumes about the integrity of the men. Vick has none; where as Stallworth has lots.

[fermin]

for me seriously i hope he gets picked up by someone i do fell for the animals but there are more pressing issues our country has other than mike vick...AGREE!!!!!!!

[CaryL]

He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion. -Author Unknown............"that's why he hasn't paid his debt."

[Vick to the UFL]

I hope Vick never plays in the NFL again. He doesn't deserve the chance.

[LAW]

Are you a football fan or are you an animal killer fan? Simple question.

[overboard]

First off, everybody who talking about boycotting and not watching football (if he plays) are probably not even football fans in the first place. Debt paid. Apology accepted. Move on. To be such animal lovers, you guys are really beating a dead horse.

If PETA and other animal right activist groups were wanted to creatively use this to their advantage, they would see this as an amazing opportunity to get more free publicity for their causes than ever before. Think about it. Mike Vick and PETA both need some major image overhauling in the general public's eyes. To some, Vick is a step below Bin Laden, while PETA is one egg shy of a dozen and ranks right below Scientology on the crazy meter. They could both benefit by playing nice with one another.

No one really cared about dog fighting before the Vick scandal. The media now has shown a very bright light on it. So, a smart PR move by any animal rights group would be to embrace Vick, say that you support him in his rehabilitation and get him to become an advocate. The more those groups continue to throw him under the bus and fight the inevitable fact that he will play football again, the more polarizing they will become. Also, just for thought... Who would have a better chance of reaching those in the demographics that are more likely to dog fight... Someone from the neighborhood who gets it, been there, done that, etc... or... well, anyone else who is an animal rights advocate. No need to try and convert the choir.

If everyone separated themselves from their emotions long enough to see the logical answer, a lot of good could come of this,. The general public would become increasingly aware of the dangers and cruelty of dog fighting and NFL fans would get to watch a superb athlete do what he does best... if he still has it. Now, the chances of this utopia actually happening??? I would say about as likely as Vick taking Tom Brady's spot as starting QB in NE.

[Rick]

I think what Vick did was horribly wrong. What I don't get however is how people make a bigger deal out of dogfighting then when an NFL player kills another human being while drinking and driving. Society is in such bad shape when we are willing to put more effort into protesting against someone who fights dogs, then someone who has killed a HUMAN BEING. I mean come on. I love my dog as much as the next guy, but we are talking about a HUMAN LIFE! People are really screwed up when they put the life of an animal ahead of a human.

[L.A. Voter]

Vick tortured and killed dogs over a period of several years for nothing except kicks. If you read the statement of facts in the case you'll know it wasn't for money (and let's face it, the guy was a millionaire, he didn't need the purse money).

And he didn't just fight dogs, bad as that is. He killed thirteen of his own Pit Bulls (that we know of) not mercifully, but by hanging, drowning, slamming to the ground, shooting and electrocution. He also put untrained family pet dogs in with fighting dogs because, according to the USDA, he and his friends "thought it was funny" to watch the little dogs get injured and killed.

Remember seeing him apologize for those killings? No you don't, because he's never publicly admitted to what he really did. He's hoping you think all he did was "fight some dogs." He's hoping you don't think Pit Bulls deserve to live and be happy and loved.

WHY would you ever want to see someone like that on your television again? Are you so devoid of morals that if someone can play football you don't care who or how often they kill?

And no one who believes Vick should be banned from the NFL has EVER suggested that other players who hurt and kill humans should be ignored or allowed to play. But everyone agrees killing a human is a crime. Looking at these comments, it's clear many people think if you play football well then torturing and killing an animal is barely an indiscretion.

He may have served a short time in jail, but he hasn't paid his debt. You can't pay a debt you've never admitted to. You can't pay a debt when you deliberately, habitually, remorselessly kill creatures who can't defend themselves and who only want to be loved.

WHY would you even want to see this person ever again? WHY would you defend a millionaire who killed so many dogs, just for kicks?

[Popeye]

Let Vick get picked up by a team and let the opposing players sort him out on the field. As well, if he is such a great animal supporter now, let him donate half his NFL salary to fund the Humane Society, animal shelters and other educational programs to prevent other acts of cruelty to animals that he once willingly particapated in and profited from. Prove it Mike. Are you changed or is this just your PR play.

[Really???]

LBW, you can't be serious about your comparison of Vicks actions with those of Stallworth. Stallworth killed a man while driving drunk but because he didn't plan on doing it and because he stayed around to wait for the police and his apology seemed really sincere you actually can praise Stallworth?? Your thinking is seriously flawed.

Michael Vick began dog fighting at the age of 8. It was a way of life for him and his friends in the projects. The police were aware that it was going on but they and everyone else turned a blind eye to it.

What he did was wrong...there is no other side to this argument...period. No one in history has paid a higher price for a crime against animals than Vick has. He has apologized and he wants a chance to prove that he can make a difference by reaching out to poor inner city kids, where dog fighting is still rampant, and try to get them to stop. Even the Human Society has acknowledged that they have had zero success in trying to get their message to inner city kids and Michael Vick represents there best opportunity to make a difference.

We have always had a dog or cat in our family for as long has I can remember. We love all animals and think what Vick did was horrible. That being said...I know that I will never understand his upbringing and how they viewed dog fighting as normal behavior just as I cant understand how someone sells drugs to make a living knowing the pain it is inflicting on the user and his or her family and friends.

I know this for certain...my friends and I will watch the NFL every Sunday just as we have done for years and we will cheer for Michael Vick when the opportunity presents itself.

Life is about second chances and what people do with them...and before someone writes back to comment...I am not referring to murderers, rapists and child molesters who clearly fall under the 1 strike and your out category.

[kathy]

If a team does sign Vick and he does get an opportunity to play, I will have my eye on the defensive linemen that own dogs go after him. After he has been slammed onto the turf all the linemen can gather around him and bark.

[Lola McGourty, RN Vietnam Nurse Vet]

I am thrilled at the negative press that continues to come out about a man, overpaid millions of dollars, who thought nothing of cruelly killing and torturing such beautiful animals as pit bulls. Give them love and they give it back.

Kudos to Dog Town in Utah who has turned around the lives of the surviviors of the Vick dog holocaust. What runs through the miinds of dog fighters? Just beat up and bite each other and punish the losing human! That makes more sense.

Michael Vick needs to be made the poster boy for cruelty--nothing more. He should be forced to clean out pens at Dog Town--but don't let him near the dogs--they might well remember him.

I feel football as a sport and the NFL in particular can find some equally talented and perhaps more compassionate player to fill Mr. Vick's space--let him eat dog biscuits!

His crimes top the evidence of atrocities I saw every day as a nurse in Vietnam

[Anthony]

The Humane Society has killed more dogs then Vick. Millions more in fact. Even helpless puppies that never got to have a life. So if you are going to protest, then protest against the Humane Society, not Vick.

[Darren]

Come on people.

Don't be stupid. It was only dogs. Not like they were people. He siad he was sorry and let's leave it at that.

People whom make the remark that he shouldn't play should examine thier on lives and PETA should move on.

It is over. Finished!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tom]

Leave it to Jesse Jackson to racinate a non-racial issue. Vick is a) a has-been; b) asks for too much money for a non-talent; c) a publicity nightmare--there will be violence wherever he plays; d) a pampered miscreant who has been given more second chances than any one alive. Jackson claims, without evidence, that there's collusion between owners and managers to keep Vick out. Let's keep Jackson out and let Vick rot. Neither deserves our time any more.