Vick Honored in Baltimore
by Bruce Raffel on Mar 11, 2010 1:00 PM EST
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Michael Vick was in Baltimore Tuesday evening along with representatives of every NFL team as part of the 32nd Annual Ed Block Courage Awards, held at Martin's West Caterers in Baltimore, Maryland. The awards honor a player on each team who exemplifies the courageous attitude that would make the former longtime trainer of the Baltimore Colts proud as he watches from heaven above as his name and legacy continues to be remembered.
Dawan Landry was voted to represent the Baltimore Ravens, based on his return from a serious head injury that ended his season in 2008.
Vick was voted as the representative and recipient by his teammates on the Philadelphia Eagles (see article here) and therefore was the most visible player at the event based on the dog-abuse issues that he was involved in over the past four years. That brought out all the animal rights activists that protested his receiving an award based on courage after the wrongs he had done.
Everyone is free to have his or her own opinions and to try to convince either side in this issue that they are wrong is wrong itself as both sides have strong cases to support their views. Yes, he abused and even participated in killing dogs, but others will say he paid the price for his crimes and should be allowed to repent and earn a living. Others will say that is fine, but to honor him for his "courage" in dealing with that is hypocritical and unnecessary.
Either way, he was in Baltimore Tuesday night and while the protesters were outside the building, he received pleasant applause and support inside. Here is an article on the event from ProFootballTalk.com, and below is a YouTube video of Vick's speech.
Vick Receives Ed Block Award (via wbal)
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I wrote an essay on Vick's sentencing for school.
The guy has more than paid his dues. Don’t get me wrong, his actions were absolutely atrocious. Only a terrible, messed up human being could do what he did. However, people dog fight everyday. People get caught everyday. It doesn’t mean that it has to define them and that they can’t change. Vick got caught and got the extremely high end sentencing range typically seen in these scenarios. He was sentenced, served his time, paid his restitution, and got out. He could have gone into hiding and wasted his life away and nobody would have cared, but instead he got very involved with the Humane Society (not a requirement of his probation) and other related charities, and got right back to work to try and better himself and his career. I don’t think there’s any question that he deserves this award, the Ed Block Courage Award.
One thing that does wonders for my regained respect for him is
That he apparently has donated over 2 million to PETA, yet he still lets it slide as they tear him a new asshole all the time. I lose more respect for PETA though, you can’t take the money and still get to ride his ass and protest everything three seconds, that makes you a hypocritical douche. I couldn’t not go straight to ESPN with that and blast PETA for it, but somehow he just lets it go.
Vick deserve's a second chance,
but doesn’t deserve this award. That’s fine his teammates gave him the award, but he should have turned it down. There’s nothing courageous about him. He’s a piece of shit that wouldn’t have got a second look from any team if he wasn’t basically the best football athlete on the planet before he went to jail ( I went to VT too and watched him play my freshman year.)
Exactly how I feel
As a dog lover (we have four dogs), I was appalled at his behavior and cannot forget what he did. However, I can forgive him, as he paid his dues and appears to be sincere in his actions. With the endorsement of the Director of the Humane Society of the United States, I can see his contrition. However, I would not honor him for his efforts, certainly now quite yet. That’s the main issue I have with this, but his teammates made the decision and in my opinion, do not privately think he really did anything wrong in the first place. For that, my hatred for the Eagles only got more heated and I hope we face them in the future, perhaps even the Super Bowl, and roll over them.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Mar 11, 2010 6:34 PM EST up reply actions
The Eagles made a mockery of the Ed Block Courage Awards.
That tells you something about the quality of player up there in Philly.
No he didn't...
Total fallacy. He was in bankruptcy protection while jailed and only made $1.5M in salary last year with the Eagles. Can’t really give away what you don’t have…
Just what I read through ESPN... I didn't check their facts.
And bankruptcy protection doesn’t necessarily mean you have no money…
My wife’s uncle just filed an he has a four bedroom house in San Antonio and flew to Disney for my wedding in Sept and still has money to burn. The bankruptcy just kept them from taking all of his things, but it’s not like he has nothing.
Trust me
ONLY $1.5 million with NFL perks is still enough to live comfortably. Besides, he get another $1.5 plus a salary in 2010 of over $5 million. Yeah, he’s suffering….
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Mar 12, 2010 9:29 AM EST up reply actions
I meant as far as the donation to is concerned.
He just made more in his roster bonus than I will in my career… mostly my fault because I chose to switch out of engineering.
I just have a problem with him getting recognition for what he did.
Yes he paid his dues, but does he deserve an award for trying to salvage his career and reputation? It just seems ridiculous that he would be honored for anything related to what he did.
We increased our offensive production by 1,000 yards but our points by only 3 touchdowns?
-Johnny_S
-------
Bungles
Tank
Stupidly like
Clockwork
--------
Every night at the club the girls screamed when he'd come
He stood six foot five and weighed 241
Kinda meaty in the face with a head full of stone
And everybody knew you didn't go to the bathroom alone around Big Ben
(Big Ben Big Ben) Big Fat Ben (Big Ben)
Ravens host Steelers for opening Monday Night Game next year?
Analyst Ron Jaworski said that ESPN has requested a Steelers-Ravens showdown for their opening Monday Night Football doubleheader next year, according to a tweet from WNST.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
Haha, this next sentence is even better
"Depending on what happens next in Ben Roethlisberger’s legal case, the league may not want to showcase a team led by Big Ben or Dennis Dixon on opening weekend," added Rosenthal.
Oh Ben and Jerrys, you slay me.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
Don’t be rapin Ben!
"I kill myself in small amounts"
by StuckInUtah on Mar 11, 2010 2:36 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
When looking back at Ben's career, the same seven words will be uttered forever...
that Ben sure was a rapin fool.
Thts Big Ben’s own personal “dynasty”.
"I kill myself in small amounts"
by StuckInUtah on Mar 11, 2010 5:31 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I thought Slaying was Ray’s job, or are they branching out now that they share the same lawyer?
by Phantaskippy on Mar 11, 2010 4:37 PM EST up reply actions
Hosting is fine with me
although that seems pretty hypocritical as we “begged” the league not to have us play there to open the 2009 season. Now we’ll face them here instead? Combined with the Ben issues, just doesn’t look good.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Mar 11, 2010 6:36 PM EST up reply actions
We only said anything because the only time we seem to play them in prime time is @ Pitt.
Nice to see ESPN isn’t sucking the Rooneys’ nuts as heavily right now.
Micahael Vick Buy dog from Mob??
Famous talking celebrity dog….what the???
http://www.youtube.com/TheCannolisTV#p/a/u/0/KjZecflIXjE
by Dominic Cannoli on Mar 11, 2010 2:41 PM EST reply actions
If you "google" him
and then click on images, you will find a ton of sick and some humorous ones with the “dog” theme. I just couldn’t bring myself to post that in a story like this.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Mar 11, 2010 6:37 PM EST up reply actions
So if you get convicted of a crime you shouldn't ever get an award?
I mean, obviously he shouldn’t get the “Never Killed a Dog Ever, Even if There Was a Fire” award. But this award is about courage. The fact that he has kept his chin up, not gone into hiding, gave money to an organization that is constantly trashing him, etc is pretty courageous if you ask me.
+1
Someone had to say it.
"I kill myself in small amounts"
by StuckInUtah on Mar 11, 2010 7:46 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
All he did was play back-up quarter for a team that didn't care about his morale
They just care about winning. Philly fans were soft on him if you ask me. He didn’t do anything courageous, all he did was play football for 5 plays. He is everything but courageous.
The night is darkest right before the dawn
by Zachary Beard on Mar 11, 2010 7:50 PM EST up reply actions
I don't follow your logic. Then again I live on an island.
If he started every game he would deserve the courage award?
Whats not courageous...
About continuing to live your life in a world that for the most part wants to see you dead? He could just roll over and go into hiding, but instead chooses to meet his criticism head on. Who else would continue to donate money to an organization that just goes around protesting and bashing you?
"I kill myself in small amounts"
by StuckInUtah on Mar 11, 2010 7:58 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
It's a cover, he wants to let everybody think he is "Changed man"
When he is still the same lowlife scum he was/is.
The night is darkest right before the dawn
by Zachary Beard on Mar 11, 2010 7:59 PM EST up reply actions
Nothing
He should have done nothing to begin with and not even gotten into that buisness, and nobody would be arguing like we are.
The night is darkest right before the dawn
by Zachary Beard on Mar 11, 2010 8:13 PM EST up reply actions
There really is no excuse for doing that stupid sh*t in the first place, especially when the man was already a millionaire & a role model. But still…..
"I kill myself in small amounts"
by StuckInUtah on Mar 11, 2010 8:21 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
It’s Baltimore Warrior man, his opinions are one of a kind and you will usually not ever agree with them, because they are usually wrong anyway.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
F U
The night is darkest right before the dawn
by Zachary Beard on Mar 11, 2010 9:26 PM EST up reply actions
Not a wrong opinion.
just his, to which he is as entitled to as yours. Vick should not have accepted the award for the sole reason that he knew it would bring the issue to the forefront and the best thing for him to do is to stay in the background and earn his parole over time. This is just too soon to stand up to his critics. His so-called courage is more like survival than any great ability to show courage.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Mar 11, 2010 9:29 PM EST up reply actions
Thank you Bruce
The night is darkest right before the dawn
by Zachary Beard on Mar 11, 2010 9:30 PM EST up reply actions
Dude, Vick isn't courageous
He killed innocent animals and doesn’t deserve this award. The Eagles destroyed the integrity of this award
The night is darkest right before the dawn
by Zachary Beard on Mar 11, 2010 9:29 PM EST up reply actions
You didn't meet those animals.
Maybe they weren’t so innocent. Maybe one sexually assaulted his beagel in a bar bathroom and that’s what started this whole mess.
Really?
How is saying the Orioles will win the World series this year One of a kind and crazy?
The night is darkest right before the dawn
by Zachary Beard on Mar 11, 2010 9:27 PM EST up reply actions
I know
Matt Weiters is a god. No he is the god of gods.
The night is darkest right before the dawn
by Zachary Beard on Mar 11, 2010 9:30 PM EST up reply actions
If we weren’t in this division, we would be a playoff team this year I think.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
Not a doubt in my mind
We would dominate in almost any other division.
The night is darkest right before the dawn
by Zachary Beard on Mar 11, 2010 9:40 PM EST up reply actions
Talk about drinking the orange kool-aid
The Orioles are nowhere near a playoff team. Their pitching is still “what-if” and they still wilt down the stretch with way too many youngsters who are not ready for 162 games in the field and 200+ innings on the mound. ?until we get a few big names to complement the kids, our veterans will always be a 3rd year Adam Jones-type, and our ace will be a unwanted journeyman.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Mar 11, 2010 9:49 PM EST up reply actions
Anything can happen bruce
Look at the saints.
The night is darkest right before the dawn
by Zachary Beard on Mar 11, 2010 9:55 PM EST up reply actions
The Saints were bad for
21 straight year! Ready to wait 10 more years of losing before winning? Besides, the NFL has a salary cap which makes it possible for everyone to have a chance. Baseball doesn’t. The end.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Mar 12, 2010 9:30 AM EST up reply actions
If courage is
caging, brutalizing, and murdering defenseless animals, then by God, Vick is the most courageous person on earth. He will rot a fiery death in Hell… I have absolutely no respect for the guy. He will always be a murderer in my opinion. A blood-on-the-hands murderer…
and if courage is
surviving the onslaught of negative press and publicity and coming out a slightly less millionaire than before, then I guess that I just don’t get it.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Mar 11, 2010 9:31 PM EST up reply actions
That’s an oversimplification.
I don’t think anyone here is wrong, even though the opinions differ dramatically, but the fact is he’s done more than he has to do. He’s pretty much done everything that he can do.
by MauiPimpin on Mar 12, 2010 12:01 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Maui
You mean, “he’s pretty much done everything that he HAD to.”
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Mar 12, 2010 9:31 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
No.
Again, he has gone above and beyond what was required for his probation and restitution. If you don’t understand the difference then there’s no point in me continuing to try and get my point across.
lol
I’ve had to debate this many times for legal studies courses and one thing that stays consistent is that some people (me) think he’s paid his dues, and others (you) feel that there is nothing he could ever do because he killed dogs. We could debate it all day but I’m not going to change your mind and I promise you that you won’t change mine. However, I know where you’re coming from. I’m just confused as to why it’s so difficult to see where our side is coming from.
Oh well, I still love the Ravens so don’t break up with me.
Some of you guys are way above and beyond trying to reason with. The guy made a mistake, and yes it was a huge one. I understand life isn’t something that should be tossed around for entertainment, but have you ever heard of forgiveness, regret, and sincere remorse? The guy may not have deserved an award, but he’s paid his dues, let him live his f’n life already.
"I kill myself in small amounts"
by StuckInUtah on Mar 12, 2010 1:12 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I listed in a post below things he could do
to deserve the award. I already said he deserved a second chance (post near the top).
Alright...lol
I guess #4 works for me.
"I kill myself in small amounts"
by StuckInUtah on Mar 12, 2010 1:28 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
but if courage is showing up for an award
that you really didn’t deserve, then I guess you’re Paris Hilton!
Things Michael Vick could do to deserve this award:
1) Start a homeless or animal shelter and really run the thing. Be there daily (not just front the cash).
2) Go fight for our country for 2 years and do it to the best of his ability.
3) Join the police force in the off season and become a cop (or animal cop).
4) Get raped by Big Ben in a bathroom while it’s caught on someones camera and posted online. Then he comes back and plays.
I see a reality show coming
(without #4)
Vivk as the Dog Police, like Steven Segal’s show. Vick can run down the perps and then yell at them. Perhaps he can dunk their heads in water for a long time and electricute them to show them “how this feels!”
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Mar 12, 2010 9:33 AM EST up reply actions
Was a huge Vick fan before his incident and still continue to support him. I probably wouldn’t still support him if he did not show remorse because I do agree that was a terrible site to see, however I think he has done way more than asked of him. He served his time, which many athletes actually get away with when they probably should be locked up and has done numerous things to help with animal rights groups. I don’t know what more he needs to do to show he really is sorry. He has had almost the whole country jump on him and most men would crack under that pressure and would never recover and get back into the league. He has fought hard to show he is sorry and to get back on the field. I do not agree with what he did, but do commend him on his effort to keep fighting.
by AV23 on Mar 12, 2010 6:48 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
That.
"I kill myself in small amounts"
by StuckInUtah on Mar 12, 2010 8:05 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Man you gotta love the poll. I mean, the majority is always right…….right? Lol
"I kill myself in small amounts"
by StuckInUtah on Mar 12, 2010 8:29 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
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