Posted on 08/22/2009 9:56:29 AM PDT by nickcarraway
Disgraced quarterback Michael Vick declared Sunday that he really "cares" about animals.
He says he wept in disgust over his own cruelty to animals while serving time for running a bloody dogfighting ring.
And yes, he also found God in prison. Treading the well-worn path of career revival, Vick went on CBS' "60 Minutes" pledging to devote himself to teaching kids from poor backgrounds to be kind to animals. "When I was in prison, I was disgusted, you know, because of what I let happen to those animals. I could've put a stop to it," he said.
"And that was the reason I cried so many nights," he said. The former Atlanta Falcons quarterback served 18 months for running a brutal dogfighting operation that involved beating, shooting and electrocuting hundreds of pit bulls. "I thought it was fun, and it was exciting at the time," he told "60 Minutes." "It's wrong, man. I don't know how many times I gotta say it. I mean, it was wrong." The NFL reinstated Vick last month, and the Philadelphia Eagles gave him a $1.6 million contract last week, shocking many fans.
A popular new T-shirt says "Vick's an Eagle, Hide Your Beagle."
Vick also apologized for lying about his role in the dogfighting ring to Falcons owner Arthur Blank, who defended him.
"He cared about me and I took it all for granted," Vick said, acknowledging that he repaid his mentor by "breaking his heart."
He said he had "just totally lost touch with my Lord and savior" and said returning to God was "the only way I made it through prison."
Vick, who grew up in a Newport News, Va., housing project, said he learned dogfighting at age 8. "We didn't think it was bad at the time," he said. As to the loss of his $135 million Falcons contract, he said, "I deserve to lose that because of what I was doing." Vick had a powerful advocate by his side in his quest for media redemption: Wayne Pacelle of the Humane Society. "If we just punish Mike indefinitely and don't pivot to this problem in the communities, where kids are victimizing these dogs ... we will not be doing our job," Pacelle said.
Pacelle estimated there are 40,000 professional dogfighters nationwide. "They get excited by the bloodletting," he said.
Vick pledged to persuade kids with pets "to love that animal dearly and with all your heart."
"People will see my work ... with the Humane Society and how I really do care now," Vick said. "I care about animals."
Michael.....you got the gig with the Eagles now...you don’t gotta hafta talk about finding God anymore......
he did his time.....it’s time people get over it.
I don’t have a problem with him. I merely commented that he doesn’t have to play the ‘reformed’ game anymore. I really couldn’t care any less what he does now as long as it is legal.
Cruelty like his is in the soul. All the God perfume in the world can't override the built-in stench.
I honestly believe a person who sincerely seeks the Lord will be healed. That said, it is hard to tell if Vick is sincere in this confession of faith. If he donates most of his salary to doing the Lord’s work then we’ll see the fruits of his conversion. Otherwise, it’s just a ploy for sympathy.
His heart was hardened from dog fighting since he was 8. Give him a break here.
I remember when I was a child of 10. I went to the local farmer for a couple of chickens for my mother. The teen ager who lived there grabbed two and twisted their heads off and put them in a bag for me. Now this kid had raised and fed these chickens. But it was no big deal for him. Get the analogy? Now I am no proponate of dog abuse. I love dogs and raised hunting dogs as a kid. Our dogs lived better than most people in heated kennels with water to wash down the poop and well fed and traineed every day to hunt. They were in shape. I love dogs. Just understand the hardened heart.
I agree that God can heal, I just don't buy this jailhouse conversion.
I agree. I don’t condone what he did but it sure seems out of whack attention wise versus thing we pay now attention to or even celebrate the “right” of.
but...finding God again and all that always seems fake unless you’re Steve Baldwin
Nearly everyone finds God in prison. Now we will see just how long that will last. Having worked in Prison Fellowship for the last fifteen years, these “converts” leave God in their jail cell.
Poor guy.
If only he had instead become an abortion doctor, he could even murder helpless, unborn (and partial born) babies and not only stay out of jail, but make big bucks. And be a darling of Liberals.
Ain’t that the truth......
I agree, I am big time anima lover and I think it is time for people to forgive him and perhaps he can do some good in preventing this type of horrible cruelty in young children.
We all have to live with the consequences of our actions. He did the crime and did the time, yes. But he should not expect to go back to business as usual. But then we have lost the notions of shame and humility.
Getting caught does that to a guy...
After all his torturing and killing the dogs, I didn’t think he could be more disgusting. I was wrong.
Bla, bla ,bla.... Translation: “I want my millions back.”
I agree. He’s served his time and deserves a 2nd chance. let’s see what happens.
Now Dante Stallworth who killed a pedestrian and served 24 hrs in jail..that is injustice.
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