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Michael Vick Overview

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Submitted By Jacobe7
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Throughout the research paper process I have made great strides in working to complete the material. I have not had to switch my topic as I am finding very interesting sources from different point of views on the subject. There is a great quantity of information on the web about Michael Vicks situation post, during, and before his dog fighting allegations and trial. With this said I have no trouble finding sources dealing with my topic. The sources are not just your average sources though. These sources go into great detail, even sharing the amount of money Vick lost, and is still losing, from his bankruptcy case in which he filed just months before being incarcerated. By reading multiple sources and seeing different point of views on the matter I can’t exactly say it changed my stance or outlook on the situation, but it did open my eyes. I’m not saying Michael Vick was right or didn’t deserve to go to jail, but he did not deserve to serve that long of a tenure in jail. That I do know. Not only have a considered looking at others viewpoints on the subject matter, but I’ve already made a great effort to do so. I like seeing what other great mind think about that subject of Michael Vick and dog fighting. The sides seem to be split on the image of Michael Vick though. There are many that feel Vick paid his debt to society and is a great example of redemption and that you can turn your life around. Every knows America is one of the few countries that is open to second chances. But with these positive outlooks comes the negative views of society as Michael Vick could not win everyone over, but then again who does? There are many organizations that will not ever forgive Vick for his wrong doing such at PETA and the Animal Protection Agency, the list continues. There are also the ones Vick won over with his performance not only on the field but also his off the field production as Vick has visited many Boys and Girls club organizations across the US as well as openly speaking on his situation and the mistakes he made in the past. I feel this is the first step though. You have to openly discuss your problems/issues not only to let other know you have learned from your mistakes but also to let them know that you have put it in your past and you won’t let it affect your future. Michael Vick has been my idol since 2001 when he first stepped foot on the scene as the starter of the Atlanta Falcons. He displays such dynamic moves but has the ability to sit in the pocket as a traditional quarterback, but then again. There is no such thing as a traditional quarterback to me anymore. Just as long as you win games for your team in a mannerly fashion. Tim Tebow is an example of this. The media has put Michael Vick through hell and back as when he was first released from jail all of the ESPN analyst believed that whichever team took the gamble on Vick would be crazy and just bring bad publicity to their team and organization. This was unfair to me because believe it or not players, coaches, and GM’s all watch ESPN and this did nothing more than run teams away as no one wants to be the laughing stock or negative topic on Sportscenter. Once Vick was picked up by the Eagles the bad pub followed. The fans were split 50/50 it seems though as you saw just as many “Welcome to Philly Vick” signs as you saw “Dog Killer” signs. But as Vick’s field production went up so did his popularity around the league and in Philadelphia. But just as I stated before everyone doesn’t forgive. This is what I don’t understand though. Me personally I love dogs. I have two myself and would do nothing to put them in harm’s way, but you still have to look at the situation as a general matter as Vick did not kill a human being. You have Casey Anthony still going to trial for the murder of her own child as well as rapist receiving 6 months to a year in jail but Michael Vick who killed DOGS received just under 2 years in federal prison (23 months). This is why I feel society is backwards in some ways but hey. Who am I to call the shots? I’m just a tax paying citizen in this corrupt nation we call the U.S.

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