NPR: Vick's NFL Career Seems Headed Down the Drain

Vick's NFL Career Seems Headed Down the Drain

Atlanta Falcons star quarterback Michael Vick is now in more trouble than a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs.

The two remaining co-defendants in the case have now scheduled hearings to enter plea agreements. That leaves Vick as the only one of the four people charged still facing trial. And ESPN reported Monday night that Vick's attorneys met with federal prosecutor Michael Gill and the investigators.

The end is nigh. Prosecutors will probably only make a deal if Vick spends some time in the big house. Karl Rove has a better chance of returning to the White House than Vick does of returning to the NFL in 2007. The bigger question is whether Vick will play football again. Ever.

I'm not much of a gambler, but I don't think I'd be putting any money on Vick's chances.

9:36 AM ET | 08-14-2007 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

Michael Vick should never again be allowed to play in the NFL. It is time to take a moral stand against the bad behavior of our sports/entertainment people who are so often excused or lightly reprimanded for their reprehensible actions. An example needs to be made that America does not tolerate such cruelty. But, that is doubtful when the owner of the Falcons feels a suspension of four games is sufficient punishment. No wonder America's image is tarnished.

Sent by Diane Lucas | 11:25 AM ET | 08-14-2007

My own thinking is that you have underestimated the importance of winning and money to the NFL and to its teams. Should anyone pick up Vick in the future? No. Will they? Well, yes...if they think he can put them in a Super Bowl and increase their bottom line. And they'll justify it by saying everyone deserves a second chance. A sad and cynical statement on American culture and sport, but unfortunately probably true.

Sent by Rob Hines | 11:30 AM ET | 08-14-2007

Michael Vick, although a gifted athlete, has a history of being only a marginal human being who apparently made a concerted effort to avoid gaining any kind of an education while at Virginia Tech. We know for a fact, regardless of the legal outcome, that there were dog fights at his property, and that alone is enough to condemn him in the strongest terms. That anyone in the United States could ever have considered him a hero or role model is a truly sad statement on our society.

Sent by Dave Maurer | 11:36 AM ET | 08-14-2007

It is sad that we focus so much on one individual superstar that fights dogs, when the state that this incedent occured is one of a few states that allows hunting over the internet. Which is more inhumane, dog fighting or killing an inicent animal on a farm for money from the comfort of your chair.
Don't get me wrong, I love animals and personally I believe both incidents should be doing time. But if someone does their time and there is an NFL team that wants to pick him up, then he deserves a second chance.

Sent by Hugo | 12:07 PM ET | 08-14-2007

I'm just a regular guy. I enjoy football and love my dogs. As much as I abhor the individuals staging the cruel spectacle of dog fighting, Michael Vick's involvement is yet to be proven. Alas, it has put on a much needed spotlight on the case of the people vs the pitbull. Once a much beloved American mascot-featured on Army posters, and tv shows-the always willing to please pitbull, has been given the title of public enemy # 1-once held by breeds such as the Doberman pinscher and German shepperd-and in turn its presence eradicated from entire states around the nation. Michael Vick's amazing athletic ability earned him the chance to become the Dream Star for thousands of fans around the world, and that appeal in turn made him a very profitable asset to various different business corporations. In the beginning, two different species: human, animal; combined with the media effect, two different results: stardom and infamy. Only one of the characters in this tragedy is able to take action and redeem the end-result. Michael Vick: handsome, young and talented, American football player. The American Pit Bull Terrier: athletic, courageous and sometimes goofy dog. Michael Vick: split-second-reaction-ability, quick-on-his-feet, smart player. Pit Bull: beloved pet to many, trained fighter for show and profit to others, vicious monster by birth to an unfortunate larger number. I'm hoping that many agree with me when I say, now is a good time to consider the power of human critical thinking versus animal instinct by human design. Blame being placed on the right party, for possession and lack thereof of such given traits.

Sent by Gerson Rodriguez | 2:15 PM ET | 08-14-2007

One of the saddest and most shameful aspects of this entire matter regarding Michael Vick is that without merit, he has and continues to enjoin the respect of so many of our young men and women who overlook gravity of this situation. The other side of this matter is that I am not convinced that Michael Vick should be utterly discarded as a person because of his very poor choices.
Punish him for this misdeed. Do not allow Michael Vick to get away with this scrouge but let's not overlook the possibility that even the worst of us have the potential for change.

Sent by Kenneth L. Johnson | 2:18 PM ET | 08-14-2007

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