Read All About it! Michael Vick Hero in Eagles First NFL Game
by Walter Brasch
The headlines, pictures, and most of the stories about the Philadelphia Eagles 34–14 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs focused upon backup quarterback Michael Vick.
The Eagles fans–desperate for a Super Bowl trophy and proclaiming that since Vick paid his time he should be forgiven–gave him a hearty ovation when he first appeared in the game early in the first quarter.
Vick, the All-Pro felon who was convicted in federal court of conspiracy, financing, and operating a dog fighting operation, appeared in only 11 plays, rushed for seven yards, threw two incompletes, and was largely a decoy on the other plays. But he drew the attention of sportscasters and reporters in his first NFL game since his suspension.
Based upon the number of column inches the print media threw to Vick, combined with the air time TV devoted, he was the star and the rest of the team were supporting players.
Quarterback Kevin Kolb, who ran the offense while starter Donovan McNabb sat out his second game while recovering from a broken rib, did everything Vick couldn’t do. He threw for 327 yards and two touchdowns, becoming the first quarterback to throw for more than 300 yards in his first two career starts. Almost as an afterthought, the media later reported that Kolb was the NFC offensive player of the week. Not reported is that Vick, with a $1.5 million salary, is making about $400,000 more this season than Kolb.
Also overlooked by much of the media were DeSean Jackson and Brent Celek, each of whom had 100-plus yards as receivers and and LeSean McCoy who had 84 yards rushing. The media also ignored the offensive line, which gave Kolb the time to throw, and the defense, which yielded only two touchdowns.
The Eagles don’t have a game this Sunday, so the media will focus not upon Kolb, not upon the receivers or running backs, not upon the Eagles defense, and certainly not upon the offensive line. “Rehabilitation” will be the key topic this week. It’ll be stories about Donovan McNabb’s recovery from his rib injury–and Vick’s “rehabilitation” from a life of animal cruelty, and his hoped-for march to another All-Pro appearance. It’s just a good thing there aren’t any live eagles as team mascots.
[Walter Brasch was a newspaper sports writer and sports editor in California, public affairs reporter and city editor in Indiana, Iowa, and Ohio. He is also a former multimedia writer-producer and magazine writer and editor. Currently, he is professor of journalism at Bloomsburg University. Dr. Brasch's latest books are Sinking the Ship of State: The Presidency of George W. Bush and 'Unacceptable': The Federal Response to Hurricane Katrina, available at amazon.com and other bookstores. You may contact Brasch through his website, www.walterbrasch.com]
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It's a pretty sorry state we've come to when people are so ready and willing to embrace a lowlife like Vick as some kind of returning hero. Maybe they are genuinely unaware of exactly what he it was he did… or maybe they don't care. If he takes some vicious hits this year, I for one will consider it nothing more than karma. What kind of souless people have Americans become?
Vick paid his debt to society. Vick is doing community service appearances at schools and teaching kids that not only is rehabilitaion possible, but society might accept you back if you have proven that you have changed. He is also teaching kids that cruelty to animals is a terrible life altering behavoir.
Apparently to some, there is no such thing as rehabilitation…forgiveness….a second chance.
Hmmm, don't think I got the same thing from the article that shannonlee did. Disgraceful is the word I'd use for the amount of attention lavished on Vick while there were so many more worthy performances from the Eagles on Sunday. DeSean and LeSean are names we'll be hearing more and more from in the future.
Shannonlee, I believe in “forgiveness” and “a second chance”, but not as a matter of reflex. When there is good reason to believe it is warranted then fine. Buying into the “rehabilitation” angle in Vick's case strikes me as naive. Treating him as a returning hero goes beyond naive.
Sorry na, I was replying to js. I should have posted a reply, not a normal comment.
Considering his language and behavior, which I doubt you have been following, I think he has shown he is a different person.
Vick could be a changed man. He could be the same ol' scumbag.
We cannot (nor should not) judge the man's heart or motive.
As a Christian, I am obliged to lean toward the positive in the realm of repentance.
I'll take him at his word until his actions dictate otherwise.
On another note, I'm not quite sure he has paid his debt to society.
A guy was charged with the same crime here locally last week, and was sentenced to 3 years in prison.
I guess being famous has it's pluses. But has justice been served?
Makes more sense. I actually don't know if he deserves forgiveness or not. Confusing situation for me as I'm not a dog-lover by any means, but then it's impossible not to see dog fighting as a completely messed up way of getting your thrills. Then, as for his complete change in behaviour, does it really mean he's a completely different person? or has he just realized he has to project a different image in order to keep the chance at making millions for the next few years.
Agreed, the man deserves a second chance, but not because of what he has done, but because of who we are as a nation.