Many doomsayers have predicted jail time and the end of Michael Vick's career as a consequence of his involvement in dogfighting.Now that all three of his co-defendants have plead guilty, the former is certainly looking inevitable.
So say he does a year, maybe two in jail. What then?
San Francisco Chronicle columnist Ray Ratto writes that just as Don Imus and Marv Albert have been given second chances, Vick will do his time and be back on the field before long.
I'm not so sure.
Michael Vick has already been found guilty in the court of public opinion. Just about everyone in this country has a dog or has had one at some time or another, and we can't imagine how anyone could hurt poor Fido. The evidence is grisly, though, and Vick's hands appear to be very dirty.
Without any admission of guilt, -- in court or otherwise -- Vick is building a reputation as a thug, a hardened criminal. And America has a tough time forgiving people like that, especially ones that can't say they're sorry.
A plea bargain of some sort would be a step backward of course, because it would confirm Vick's involvement in dogfighting and would almost certainly mean time in jail. But sometimes you have to step backward before you can move forward.
Michael Vick probably doesn't understand the concept, but that's why he has lawyers. Hopefully he hired the right ones.
2 comments:
I've said this before, but I have a sneaking suspicion Mike Vick will never play a down in the NFL again. With all this bad press, teams would be taking a huge risk (with their fan base, if nothing else), not to mention the fact that he's been very up-and down as a player.
Yeah, I don't see what's so appealing about a QB that can't throw an accurate pass. In the long run, Atlanta may be better off.
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