It seems that many in the media like to see celebrities and rich people fall to a low social standing. The news has shown us the falls of great performers from Michael Jackson, to Britney Spears. Now they have turned their attention to athletes, from O. J. Simpson to current news involving Atlanta Falcons star quarterback Michael Vick.
In 2001 the superstar quarterback was supposed to revolutionize the national football league. Vick was two-time NFL pro bowler; in 2003 he received the ESPY award for being the best NFL player. In 2006, Vick became the only quarterback in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards in season. Michael also gave a lot back, in 2006 Vick created the Vick Foundation. A non profit foundation, that supports at risk youth in the Virginia area. Vick also donated $1000 to the families that were affected by Virginia Tech. All the accomplishments and charity work Michael had, he was not seen as a winner in Atlanta. Several newspapers and magazines were calling for Michael to be benched after the playoffs. But in July of 2007 it got worst, when Vick was accused of dog fighting which is a felony. That is when the tables turned on Michael completely. I feel like that is when Michael began being portrayed as a bad man. “People who believe they are above the rules need to learn what integrity.” (ESPN, August 2007) I saw a newscast on ESPN, and they showed Michael as a straight criminal and it was not fair. Several athletes took up for Michael, and there help was quickly pressured into retractions. Athletes like Clinton Portis, and Stephon Marbury were supporting Vick , the next day after pressure from their organizations quickly came back and went to the opposite of their statements.
I do not believe there was a racial profiling here but I believe that if Peyton Manning was to get caught in the same situation there would not as much problem. In my opinion if Manning was put in the same situation dog fighting would have easily been made into a sport. Vick had endorsements from Nike, which where put on suspension until further notice. Vick was even suspended from the Falcons training camp before the season even started off of allegations. “Michael Vick was ordered by commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday to stay away from the Atlanta Falcons' training camp until the league reviews the dog fighting charges against him.” (FoxSports.com, July 2007). Although Vick was on paid leave, I do not think that Vick should have had his lively hood taken away from him before he was proven guilty. To me it seemed the league was more worried about its image than how Vick prepared for his upcoming season. All this is a power hungry commissioner, taking away some ones life because he worried about the leagues image.
Once Vick was backed into a corner when his co-defendants all pleaded guilty it put Vick into a situation where it was his partners and the world against him. SO of course Vick took the day to think about what he should do. By the end of that day Vick had decided to take the plea agreement and maybe receive a lesser sentence. Once Vick accepted the deal, it was all over ESPN and CNN and MSNBC. It just was because of his status and his name. I feel like people all over the world dog fight and because of Michael’s celebrity and ability to make money off of him, the media makes him there meal ticket. Not long after pleading guilty Vick issued an apology to everyone. I think it was a very moving apology and he meant every word of it.To kick a man while he is down is just wrong. Michael poured his heart into every season he played with the Atlanta Falcons. While all of this is taking place Falcons owner Arthur Blank was trying to take money away from Vick. Blank sued Vick and won, now Vick must pay back almost $20 million dollars. I feel that is not at all fair. Vick signed a contract, and the money that was already given to him he earned.
Michael Vick was an American hero when he led the Falcons into the playoffs and became the first team to when at Lambeau Field in the playoffs. Vick also led the Falcons to the playoffs in 2004 where they lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in the Conference Championship. But Vick could still never win with the media. It was always talk about how he was not a quarterback and how would limit the team. But the fact is looking at the Atlanta Falcons right now, Michael Vick was clearly the backbone of that team. Im not saying what Michael did was, not wrong. Im saying Michael did not deserve to have his name dragged through the mud because of a poor decision he made to fight dogs. Michael showed, his remorse and will do his time and I feel like when he gets out he should be allowed to return to the NFL. Without Michael the Falcons and the league are missing a lot. The way Michael has been treated is just an example of how the media can be your best friend or your worst enemy.
Bibliography:
Reyes, Robert. American Chronicle. Stephon Marbury Defends Michael Vick, August 27, 2007http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=36098
ESPN.com August2007
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=easterbrook/070816
Foxsports. com August 2007
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7052768
In 2001 the superstar quarterback was supposed to revolutionize the national football league. Vick was two-time NFL pro bowler; in 2003 he received the ESPY award for being the best NFL player. In 2006, Vick became the only quarterback in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards in season. Michael also gave a lot back, in 2006 Vick created the Vick Foundation. A non profit foundation, that supports at risk youth in the Virginia area. Vick also donated $1000 to the families that were affected by Virginia Tech. All the accomplishments and charity work Michael had, he was not seen as a winner in Atlanta. Several newspapers and magazines were calling for Michael to be benched after the playoffs. But in July of 2007 it got worst, when Vick was accused of dog fighting which is a felony. That is when the tables turned on Michael completely. I feel like that is when Michael began being portrayed as a bad man. “People who believe they are above the rules need to learn what integrity.” (ESPN, August 2007) I saw a newscast on ESPN, and they showed Michael as a straight criminal and it was not fair. Several athletes took up for Michael, and there help was quickly pressured into retractions. Athletes like Clinton Portis, and Stephon Marbury were supporting Vick , the next day after pressure from their organizations quickly came back and went to the opposite of their statements.
I do not believe there was a racial profiling here but I believe that if Peyton Manning was to get caught in the same situation there would not as much problem. In my opinion if Manning was put in the same situation dog fighting would have easily been made into a sport. Vick had endorsements from Nike, which where put on suspension until further notice. Vick was even suspended from the Falcons training camp before the season even started off of allegations. “Michael Vick was ordered by commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday to stay away from the Atlanta Falcons' training camp until the league reviews the dog fighting charges against him.” (FoxSports.com, July 2007). Although Vick was on paid leave, I do not think that Vick should have had his lively hood taken away from him before he was proven guilty. To me it seemed the league was more worried about its image than how Vick prepared for his upcoming season. All this is a power hungry commissioner, taking away some ones life because he worried about the leagues image.
Once Vick was backed into a corner when his co-defendants all pleaded guilty it put Vick into a situation where it was his partners and the world against him. SO of course Vick took the day to think about what he should do. By the end of that day Vick had decided to take the plea agreement and maybe receive a lesser sentence. Once Vick accepted the deal, it was all over ESPN and CNN and MSNBC. It just was because of his status and his name. I feel like people all over the world dog fight and because of Michael’s celebrity and ability to make money off of him, the media makes him there meal ticket. Not long after pleading guilty Vick issued an apology to everyone. I think it was a very moving apology and he meant every word of it.To kick a man while he is down is just wrong. Michael poured his heart into every season he played with the Atlanta Falcons. While all of this is taking place Falcons owner Arthur Blank was trying to take money away from Vick. Blank sued Vick and won, now Vick must pay back almost $20 million dollars. I feel that is not at all fair. Vick signed a contract, and the money that was already given to him he earned.
Michael Vick was an American hero when he led the Falcons into the playoffs and became the first team to when at Lambeau Field in the playoffs. Vick also led the Falcons to the playoffs in 2004 where they lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in the Conference Championship. But Vick could still never win with the media. It was always talk about how he was not a quarterback and how would limit the team. But the fact is looking at the Atlanta Falcons right now, Michael Vick was clearly the backbone of that team. Im not saying what Michael did was, not wrong. Im saying Michael did not deserve to have his name dragged through the mud because of a poor decision he made to fight dogs. Michael showed, his remorse and will do his time and I feel like when he gets out he should be allowed to return to the NFL. Without Michael the Falcons and the league are missing a lot. The way Michael has been treated is just an example of how the media can be your best friend or your worst enemy.
Bibliography:
Reyes, Robert. American Chronicle. Stephon Marbury Defends Michael Vick, August 27, 2007http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=36098
ESPN.com August2007
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=easterbrook/070816
Foxsports. com August 2007
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7052768
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