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.



Similar Articles

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

This article has 365 comments.


sam roach said...
on Nov. 1 2011 at 12:29 pm
sam roach, Easley, South Carolina
0 articles 0 photos 2 comments
michael vick killed some dogs but people kill babys in this country everyday and u failed to mention that vick is now forgivien for what he did and is a changed person and your riding him like hes the worst person ever hes a amazing athelete and made a mistake im sorry u cant see past one mans flaw

biggiebig said...
on Nov. 1 2011 at 9:17 am

mikevick mad one mistake in his lifer big whoop

 


on Oct. 28 2011 at 11:28 am
I think this is very true. Vick should be put in jail and rot. He shouldent kill dogs that didnt do anything.. Why do we have people like this in U.S.A

on Oct. 28 2011 at 11:27 am
I think this person is talking the truth. Vick should be tooken to jail for awhile. What if someone lost them dogs or wanted them. He most not of cared about his fans or anything. Killing dogs that did nothing to him.... I think he shouldent be able to play anymore.

on Oct. 18 2011 at 1:35 pm
rileymillerphoenixarizona BRONZE, Phoenix, Arizona
2 articles 0 photos 1 comment

Favorite Quote:
winning is importatnt

no they dont dogs are inmature and

bromance said...
on Oct. 14 2011 at 11:41 am
MICHEAL VICK IS DOG KILLER!!!!!

hater said...
on Oct. 6 2011 at 9:03 am
ppl need to stfu about this sh** nobody cares any more

on Oct. 3 2011 at 1:33 pm
ughhh lykee isaiid

on Oct. 3 2011 at 1:30 pm
micheal viick isx a beast so yall mf'ss stoop hatin ughh

satch3ll said...
on Sep. 29 2011 at 10:59 am
satch3ll, Carollton, Texas
0 articles 0 photos 4 comments

Favorite Quote:
We are anonymous, We are Legion, We do not Forgive, We do not Forget, Expect Us.

...is there any other way....

Selly said...
on Sep. 29 2011 at 10:58 am
Do you put ketchup??

satch3ll said...
on Sep. 29 2011 at 10:55 am
satch3ll, Carollton, Texas
0 articles 0 photos 4 comments

Favorite Quote:
We are anonymous, We are Legion, We do not Forgive, We do not Forget, Expect Us.

I agree... they are very delicious....

tvibeocho1 said...
on Sep. 26 2011 at 8:53 pm

also mike vick did some bad things but he is a lot more than your average quarter back that can run. if you actually took the time to look at his stats he is much better than you "average quarterback" im not trying to justify what he did but you should give him some credit. this really just seems to me that you take this as a way to rip him a part. we all have to remember that he is only human just becasue he is in the NFL does NOT mean he cant make mistakes. calling a man with that much talent an average quarterback that can run is like saying the yankees are an average baseball team with some rings

 


tvibeocho1 said...
on Sep. 26 2011 at 8:48 pm
this is spose to be a non-fiction piece not a way to take your anger out with opinions although you do prove a good point you did not really back up your side of the story you talked a lot about how wrong vick is but have nothing to back up why. all in all it was alright

on Sep. 25 2011 at 1:36 pm
Annieboo SILVER, Salt Lake City, Utah
7 articles 5 photos 55 comments

Favorite Quote:
Some one who gets tricked is a fool. Some one who trusts is an even bigger fool. But if you get tricked and tricked again...and still trust...that's makes you the best person to know.

You stated your opinion clearly and strongly.

on Sep. 20 2011 at 4:21 pm
Olivia.297 BRONZE, Orillia, Other
1 article 0 photos 12 comments

Favorite Quote:
Ever notice how you never see me and superman at the same time?

Making mistakes is one thing. Fighting dogs to there death and smoking marijuana is more like a blatently defiant step in the opposite direction.

asdfghjkl said...
on Sep. 20 2011 at 10:57 am
hahahahahahaha

on Sep. 3 2011 at 10:32 am
athletegkb44 SILVER, Boise, Idaho
9 articles 0 photos 26 comments

Favorite Quote:
Someday your life might flash before your eyes; make sure it's worth watching.
-Unknown to Me :)

Hey there! Good writing! I very much agree with you that he should have stayed longer in prison. But, in my personal opinion, he did learn his lesson while in jail. I think one time Tony Dungy went down to him while he was getting ready to get out of prison, and they talked and Tony said Vick had really rethought a lot of things. But you are right, and I agree with you about the penalty. Good writing, and remember that's just my personal opinion. Good piece!

on Sep. 2 2011 at 8:40 am
evertone makes mistakes yall should shut up and forget about out all things going on in the world yall be complaining about animals. look at the news what our soliders are going through innocent kids getting beat for nothing all the murders and things the hurricane but yall just want bring up **** that was from the past GET A LIFE PEOPLE LOOK AT THE NEWS

on Sep. 1 2011 at 2:57 pm
Alcanno DIAMOND, Mexia, Texas
59 articles 0 photos 670 comments

Favorite Quote:
"If you love life, don't waste time, for time is what life is
made up of."

-- Bruce Lee

SriX23 that is a horrible invalid comment. Not a good argument at all... I agree with caedanse all the way - Vick was wrong and deserved to be punished. I can only hope that he learned from his mistakes.