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Yesterday, the Philadelphia Eagles signed controversial quarterback Michael Vick to a one-year deal. Vick was suspended from the NFL after being convicted on federal dogfighting charges in 2007; he served 18 months and was conditionally reinstated to the NFL this summer (NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will decide whether to reinstate him as early as week 1 or as late as week 6). The Eagles will introduce Vick at a 10:30 a.m. press conference; his "surprise" deal is worth $1.6 million in 2009, with an option for $5.2 million. Recently, Vick was spotted in Chicago, working with the Humane Society to advocate against dog fighting. Vick's interview with 60 Minutes will air this Sunday—he told NFL Today's James Brown that dogfighting is "wrong …I feel, you know, some tremendous hurt behind what happened. And, you know, I should of took the initiative to stop it all…I didn't - I didn't step up. I wasn't a leader." The Giants are scheduled to play the Eagles on Nov.1 in Philly and on Dec. 13 at the Meadowlands. Update, 11:02 a.m.: The press conference just started and is streaming live at the Eagles website.
Vick Signs With Philadelphia Eagles, Will Speak At 10:30AM
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SLICE has opened in the former home of Monster Sushi, Hudson Street near Charles...
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As a born and bred, tried and true Eagles fan, I must say I am completely and utterly disgusted with this.
This goes beyond football; when someone is capable of torturing and murdering innocent animals (and only showing remorse once they've been caught, convicted, and practically forced into bankruptcy), there's something wrong in their heads. A few months in federal prison, where he was most likely treated as a VIP, isn't going to change that. And then- to reward him with a new contract worth millions of dollars? WTF?
On a lighter note, I had purchased an eagles jersey for my dog earlier this year. Doesn't seem appropriate for him to wear it now I guess.
Just one more thing- I would be totally ok with Mike Vick getting a second chance... as a kennel cleaner in an underfunded shelter. Not a second chance making millions to throw around a ball.
I tried really hard to be coherent when I first read this. I was so angry and it was like the outrage shut my mind down. I feel the same way about animals as you do. I had a Chow Chow, Sammy that passed away 2/25/09 from old age...I can't imagine ever, EVER doing anything to her that Vick did to those poor dogs.
Thanks for putting my thoughts and feelings into words!!
On another note, I don't think your doggie should wear the Eagles jersey. I can send you a JETS one ;-)
"A few months in federal prison, where he was most likely treated as a VIP, isn't going to change that."
I'm sure if that's the case, when he engages in dogfighting again, he will be dismissed by his employer again, and tried and convicted again.
"And then- to reward him with a new contract worth millions of dollars? WTF?
I'm pretty sure the Eagles are not paying him a reward because he engaged in illegal activities, got convicted and went to jail. They're paying him to perform a service. This is the going rate for the service he is going to perform for them. It is his right as an American citizen to earn a living.
I guess what I'm trying to say is...why do people think it is our responsibility to continue to punish this man after he has been punished already by the American justice system? If you don't think the punishment he got was severe enough, your gripe is with the justice system or the DA that prosecuted him, not with Vick. Vick is just playing by the rules that were handed to him.
If he is the evil man you say he is, and he hasn't learned his lesson from the "too little" punishment that was given to him already, then don't worry, he'll be caught and convicted again.
My gripe is now with every sponsor of the Eagles: KFC, Comcast, Sprint, Sovereign Bank, Aquafina, Mastercard, Verizon Wireless, Lincoln Financial(owners of the Eagles Stadium), Pepsico, and Dunkin Donuts.
Since the only thing some people care about is money, I won't give any of mine to companies that continue to sponsor a team with a sadistic dog torturer on it.
I think this is a decision made in poor taste. I don't know if Vick should be allowed to play again, and I'm sorry the Eagles saw fit to give him a chance. I *AM* happy that MY team, the Cleveland Browns, didn't come within a 500 yard pole of even considering him. I did like the Eagles, but not any more.
This man abused, maimed, and killed dogs, and he did it for YEARS. He only became contrite after he was caught. I just don't think Vick is worthy of earning millions and being someone kids look up to...not considering what he's done.
I'm all for second chances, but not like this -- let him be a QB coach or a commentator...not a player in the spotlight. I hope this follows - and haunts - him for the rest of his life.
So, what do you guys think Vick's fantasy value is this season?
what a dick
I'm also very disgusted with this! Being a sports figure is truly a privilege. Millions of young people look up to you and you have the potential to make enormous amounts of money. Once one does something illegal - especially like the viciousness of what Michael Vick did - I don't think going back into sports should be an option. Sure, he served his time and now I guess like every other citizen he should have the chance to go back into society and work at any other chosen field - but not sports which, again, is a privilege!
wrong. wrong. wrong.
he is a piece of shit.
sorry Eagles but what a bad move.
Just another reason to hate on the Eagles!
I could care less about the eagles, or vick for that matter, but he paid the price for his crimes, and then some. His actions were reprehensible, but his punishments far outweighed the crimes, and he was used to make a very important statement. He's entitled to a second chance at this point, what he makes of it is his problem.
the man was in Leavenworth, a hard-core federal penitentiary for two years. he lost millions of dollars. you are crazy if you think he has not paid his dues to society. every man deserves a second chance. eagles fans should rejoice imho. i was hoping the jets would be lucky enough to get him. woof!
In a hard core prison? Oh, boo boo hoo. Douchebag!!!
http://blogs.app.com/saywhat/files/2008/12/pit-bull-puppy.jpg
Michael Vick doesn't belong in the field, I decided not to link pictures of the Vicks's mauled pitbulls and dead pitbulls. This man torture these poor dogs and was entertained by their suffering. Is this the type of person you want your Kids to watch on TV and wear his Jersey? Eagles has just condemned more dogs since there are already kids who want to honor Vick for his jail stint as if he is a martyr when HE IS a PERVERSE SICK VILE Coward.
After doing his time he has the right to make a respectful living and carry on with his life. Remember he killed animals not people. Also these dogs are not so innocent. They were FIGHTING dogs.
Dead HImmler, of course you relate to Vick, you are a lazy self-entitled MTA SUPERVISOR who has been on leave for MONTHS for a FINGER and starting a MOVING company whilel on WORKER COMP which I have to PAY FOR. So Guess what, you belong in jail as well.
whoa. what?
Dead Himmler commented that he is a MTA supervisor on leave for months for a finger and starting a moving company while on Worker comp. that is Fraud and I send his comments to the attorney general since he stated his MTA boss knows and approves of this fraud. I hope they catch him soon.
You are just jealous because I am making bank. By the way starting a moving company is not being lazy it is being opportunistic. And I least I don't live in Chelsea.
I don't like living in Deputy Mayor Slush Fund Quinn's district. She destroy the West village and Chelsea.
throw him in an oven. along w those punks who killed kitty
Philly loves those running quarterbacks. Not one of them has ever won a Superbowl, but then again neither have the Eagles. I guess he's a decent backup for when McNabb gets injured, though I'm glad the Giants didn't sign him.
They also going to sign the scumbag who threw Oreo off the roof?
Appalling. And to those who think he has paid for his crime, just consider the fact that new research shows dogs have an intelligence on par with that of a two year old child...
So you think it is the responsibility of the Eagles (or any other employer) to carry out Vick's punishment by denying him the right to earn a living?
Here I thought that would be a job for the justice department.
When his employment grants him the prestige that our society gives professional athletes and celebrities, then yes, I do see it as a problem. This is not the same as saying he should be denied the right to work. I would be quite happy to see him being paid a living wage cleaning up dog poop for the rest of his life. Being a highly paid professional athlete is a privilege, not a right.
I personally consider animal cruelty to be one of the most heinous crimes imaginable - animals are not subhuman merely because they are nonhuman - and I find the lack of outrage a disturbing reflection on the current state of our society. The old adage that 'a society is judged on how it treats its most vulnerable members' seems to be fitting in this instance.
The government has ever right to dictate what job a convict can and can't do when they are incarcerated. Once the punishment is over, a person can earn a living any way he or she likes.
I think your argument is that his punishment should have been more severe because animal cruelty is "one of the most heinous of crimes." The government disagrees with you. We play by their rules. If you don't like it, take it up with them, not Vick or his employer.
are you suggesting that we should have two year olds fight in cages? appaling!! disgusting!! outraged!!
He should never be given a second chance after murdering innocent animals. This violent act doesn't deserve him reward of any kind. The Philadelphia Eagles should be ashamed of themselves and fans should not condone this.
Reward? What reward? He's not being rewarded for maiming and killing dogs. He's being paid a salary for performing a service. That is the going rate for the service he is performing.
It is not the Eagles' responsibility to punish this scumbag.
How desperate are the Eagles to want Vick? The owner stated he searched his soul and I guess he didn't find it since he went ahead with Vick's hiring.
Good one!
Philadelphia just got even shittier.
I already hear on a Hip -Hop radio playing victory cheers for Michael Vick. this is why Vick's doesn't belong on a football field because some people treat his jail stint as a martyr due to his race. However Vick is a vile man and people should view pictures of the poor dogs that he had mauled to death and those poor dogs chained to use as breeder and some as bait. He enjoyed the pain and suffering of those poor dogs. shame on the Eagles.
Rescued Michael Vick's dogs.
http://www.badrap.org/rescue/vick/heal.html
http://www.badrap.org/rescue/vick/evaluations.html
Evaluations of how they were deprived of human contact. Vick had hung and electrocuted dogs.
That's awful. What an absolute scumbag.
I look forward to this man's trial so that these pictures and evaluations can be shown to the jury and an appropriate punishment handed down.
Oh wait...he was already tried, convicted and served the time?
huh. Could have fooled me.
His money bought him justice. He didn't go to trial but plead guilty so there was no jurors to see the pictures of all the dead and tortured dogs. This perverse vile man doesn't belong on the field.
I understand people being upset with Vick. Obviously what he did was horrendous and, frankly, I think he deserved more time than he severed. That said, I don't understand why people think being an athlete is a privilege. If you could run / throw / take hits like he could then you too could play professional football. Until then their are an elite few who can do it and it just so happens they get paid ridiculous amounts of money and there is no reason they shouldn't.
he'll gain the fans back after a few wins. he won't mess this up. maybe he and pitino should get together, wonder who will be hated hmmmmm........
I frankly am going to take him in my fantasy draft. You're all just whining because he makes more money than you.
Hey, if a guy is such a good athlete that someone wants to pay him millions of dollars, I say good for him. I'm not jealous. But the NFL said he was banned for life. I hope they are ready for the boycotts and the protests.
I was totally disgusted last night that the Eagles signed this POS because now he too is going to have a Super Bowl ring at the end of the season. But, Tony Dungy is vouching for him and that is good enough for me. Who am I to judge since the dude served his time. We all change and perhaps he can change the culture that still continues to engage in dog fighting. He also has been working with the Humane Society.
He claims he has "learned his lesson" and was vetted fairly extensively by the Humane Society...but then he had millions to gain by playing all the right notes. As far as I'm concerned, he's still a sickening figure and I hope he never has so much as a goldfish.
Shame on the Eagles.
And if you think Vick has "served his time," you are wrong. The fact that he served only 18 months after personally murdering several dogs in the most heinous manner only shows that our justice system undervalues the lives of animals.
He does not deserve the privilege of playing pro football. What about the dogs he killed - they have no lives at all.
the guy is -to begging with- a fkn sportsman, as necessary as strippers are for the system of stupid! The all capitalist bread and circus if you will...
Additionally, he is a massive asshole that gets payed to be a brainless idiot, running behind a ball!...an idiot that thought killing animals was a sport; what a noble existence!
The people profiting from all this are as indecent as the fkr is.