Michael Vick: No Hero | Teen Ink

Michael Vick: No Hero MAG

By Anonymous

The Michael Vick saga is the story of a man who had everything and lost it all. And I cannot remember a tale more atrocious than his.

In 2001, the Atlanta Falcons selected Vick to be their franchise quarterback. He was seen as the savior of the team. The Falcons were so sure about Vick, they traded a shot at getting LaDainian Tomlinson, who many ­considered the best running back in the NFL. After the 2002 season, when Vick led the Falcons to the playoffs with a 9-6-1 record and beat Brett Favre in Lambeau Field, he received the biggest contract in NFL history: $130 million for 10 years. The following year, Vick missed most of the season with a broken ankle. In 2004, he led Atlanta to the NFC Championship but fell short.

Last year, Vick’s legal issues began to mount. In January, he was held at an airport on possession of marijuana, but tests revealed no illegal substances and he was never charged. In April, Vick was charged and convicted of dogfighting. His sentencing date – December 10th – was the same day the Falcons would play the Saints on Monday Night Football. He was sentenced to 23 months in prison.

In my opinion, this penalty is not harsh enough. By forcing innocent dogs to fight to the death, Vick has disgraced his family, the Falcons, and the city of Atlanta. Vick had a dogfighting ring on his property and mass graves for the burial of these dogs yet he initially pleaded not guilty. This is a testament to how immature Michael Vick really is.

Vick himself made me mad enough, but then I watched the Monday Night game. “Free Vick” signs were visible around the stadium. When Roddy White scored a touchdown, he displayed a “Free Mike Vick” T-shirt. I could only think, Do they know what this man did? He killed innocent animals for his own amusement. And, to me, the reaction by the Falcon fans was distasteful and atrocious. Vick deserved to be disciplined. Atlanta must realize the severity of his actions.

The Falcons and their fans need to move on. To me, Vick has played his last down in the National Football League. And rightfully so.

Michael Vick is no hero. He was an average quarterback who could run. But it’s time for the Falcons to move on and forget him.



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This article has 365 comments.


lcalks11 said...
on Jan. 29 2010 at 12:22 pm
i think hes horrible at life.who kills dogs???

on Jan. 29 2010 at 12:16 pm
JakeDH34 BRONZE, Fultonville, New York
1 article 0 photos 2 comments
Vick should never go in the NFL ever again. He failed the code of conduct and should be punished harsher than 23 months. I would never trust him again with a dog.

on Jan. 29 2010 at 12:15 pm
bravesr528hfootball BRONZE, Fonda, New York
1 article 0 photos 2 comments
vick should never go in the NFL ever again.

EdwardP BRONZE said...
on Jan. 26 2010 at 4:55 pm
EdwardP BRONZE, Wilmington, Delaware
4 articles 0 photos 30 comments

Favorite Quote:
Did I cause your problems; Then don't tell me about them!

You guys are my heroes for that comment

EdwardP BRONZE said...
on Jan. 26 2010 at 4:54 pm
EdwardP BRONZE, Wilmington, Delaware
4 articles 0 photos 30 comments

Favorite Quote:
Did I cause your problems; Then don't tell me about them!

He killed a dog, not a guy. Hate on Stallworth.

EdwardP BRONZE said...
on Jan. 26 2010 at 4:53 pm
EdwardP BRONZE, Wilmington, Delaware
4 articles 0 photos 30 comments

Favorite Quote:
Did I cause your problems; Then don't tell me about them!

Think before you type! Don't hate the best QB in the league

EdwardP BRONZE said...
on Jan. 26 2010 at 4:52 pm
EdwardP BRONZE, Wilmington, Delaware
4 articles 0 photos 30 comments

Favorite Quote:
Did I cause your problems; Then don't tell me about them!

How could you hate the best QB in the NFL!

EdwardP BRONZE said...
on Jan. 26 2010 at 4:50 pm
EdwardP BRONZE, Wilmington, Delaware
4 articles 0 photos 30 comments

Favorite Quote:
Did I cause your problems; Then don't tell me about them!

Vick should stopped being criticized by people who don't know anything about. Why should Vick be thrown out. Stallworth killed a guy and we welcome him back with open arms. Vick killed some dogs and he should be kept out of the league! Think before you speak! COME ON!

tylor megill said...
on Jan. 20 2010 at 2:20 pm
tylor megill, Hunnigton Beach, California
0 articles 0 photos 1 comment
he kills dogs!!!!

on Jan. 20 2010 at 12:19 pm
RichardA BRONZE, St. Charles, Illinois
3 articles 0 photos 1 comment
I agree with Luke S. The man made a "mistake", served some time, and is now back doing what he was born to do; to entertain me on Sunday night. The man's a football player, and by God he will play football.

on Jan. 20 2010 at 12:17 pm
I love Michael Vick. What an inspiration, nay, a hero! A man of pure talent, immense immagination, and a clear conscience!

on Jan. 17 2010 at 8:42 pm
WeetzieBat PLATINUM, Dallas, Texas
35 articles 1 photo 13 comments

Favorite Quote:
"OW! Stop pulling my ear! THIS TIME I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING!!!"

That is one of the best comments here I've read. First off- It's the one that says what everyone is ignoring, and yes it might have been biased, but that's what just about everyone does. By saying that "You shouldn't write that about Michael Vick because he's a good quarter-back and you're biased" is just you being a hypocrite. I agree with this comment completely.

on Jan. 17 2010 at 3:50 pm
spinningskies BRONZE, Snohomish, Washington
1 article 5 photos 9 comments
in my opinion, michael vick should be in prison FOREVER.

on Jan. 17 2010 at 10:10 am
dragonbiscuits SILVER, Near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
7 articles 1 photo 53 comments

Favorite Quote:
"You cannot acheive peace with violence" -several people

First: I agree with the writer of this article.

Second: Reading all of these comments are making me sick! How can you still like a man who took the lives of so many innocent creatures? Yes, that Dante guy should have gotten more prison time, but so should have Vick. Killing that many people would lead to a lifetime in jail, but only 23 months because they were dogs. Why do people see animals as less than humans? They think, they breathe, they fell, just more differently than us. Many have high caring for other creatures, of their species and their own, and they do not kill others for sheer "enjoyment", they do it to survive, unlike this (insert bad word that rhymes with "vick"). It makes me want to cry as I read comments that say to "let it go", "people make mistakes" and let him go on and play football, it is even sadder if they say this BECAUSE of his football player status. Is this any reconsiliation (sorry if that is spelled wrong) for the murder of these dogs? I don't think so. So get over it, he deserved a harsher punishment.

32carnage95 said...
on Jan. 8 2010 at 9:19 pm
I definitely agree!

on Dec. 21 2009 at 1:42 pm
BigPeterT SILVER, Dell Rapids, South Dakota
5 articles 0 photos 15 comments
TOTALLY! THANK YOU

400king BRONZE said...
on Dec. 21 2009 at 11:35 am
400king BRONZE, Hemet, California
1 article 0 photos 23 comments

Favorite Quote:
a poem is never finished, just abandoned

to keep vick out is absolutely crazy, he had dog fights. yeah thats bad but seriously think what your saying. i don't even think this should be a topic anymore, where is all the donte stallworth haters? He dui and killed a man and got 24 days. 24 days!!! leanard little also killed a man with a car and where is all the "down with leanard," crew? Travis henry has 9 kids with 9 different women and can't pay child support, isn't that worse than fighting dogs? if your gonna be so emotional about a topic, at least make it one worth being emotional about.

on Dec. 15 2009 at 1:58 pm
DellsBallas BRONZE, Dell Rapids, South Dakota
4 articles 0 photos 14 comments

Favorite Quote:
If your not first your last.

ok ok. were both da man

on Dec. 15 2009 at 1:58 pm
BigPeterT SILVER, Dell Rapids, South Dakota
5 articles 0 photos 15 comments
Ok. ok whatever you say... but you are still DA MAN!

on Dec. 15 2009 at 1:58 pm
DellsBallas BRONZE, Dell Rapids, South Dakota
4 articles 0 photos 14 comments

Favorite Quote:
If your not first your last.

nah you da man