Just before Christmas last year, my wife and I rescued a pit bull mix puppy. We named her Bella.
I was not a fan of pit bulls, and often had negative things to say about them when a person was attacked – especially a child.
Among those that told me I was incorrect in my thinking were former Kirkwood mayor Art McDonnell and his wife, Barbara. They love pit bulls and have rescued several.
Since we brought Bella, a bundle of friendly energy home, I’ve learned that I was wrong about pit bulls. If raised correctly, and not abused, they can be dandy pets. I changed my mind about the breed.
I’m having a more difficult time coming to a similar conclusion about new Norfolk State University football coach Michael Vick.
To the shock of his fans and the NFL, in 2007 Vick pleaded guilty to several federal charges for his involvement in a dog fighting ring and was sentenced to 21 months in prison.
According to sworn statements, Vick’s “Bad Newz Kennels” housed and trained over 50 pit bull dogs, staged dog fights, killed dogs, and ran a high stakes gambling ring with purses up to $26,000.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund lists Vick’s case as one of the most egregious it has encountered, saying “the dogfighting activity was violent and bloody, [and] dogs were methodically tested and poor performers executed.”
Vick served his time and after being released by the Atlanta Falcons recorded one of the best seasons of his career in 2009 with the Philadelphia Eagles. He was named Comeback Player of the Year and selected to the Pro Bowl for a fourth time.
He has been a Fox Sports football analyst for several years, and by all reports has been a model citizen.
But he has blood on his hands. Dog blood. I can’t get over it.
Does Vick deserve the right to coach? Yes, he certainly does. Should any convicted felon’s past eliminate them from securing a job in a chosen field of employment? No, it should not.
Should I be more understanding of Vick being hired by Norfolk State? Maybe, but it’s not happening.
When a television commercial comes on showing abused dogs, I immediately change the channel. It makes me sad. Honestly, it does not move me to send the ASPCA or Humane Society a contribution, but my heart strings are pulled.
I applaud when people are sentenced to jail time because of a heinous action against an animal.
Vick must effectively recruit in his effort to improve the football future of the downtrodden program he inherits. Some families and players will readily welcome him into their respective homes.
However, Vick’s incredibly brutal treatment of dogs will follow him into the world of football coaching. In many American’s eyes, he remains disgusting. For those who say “it’s just white people who think that” think again.
This isn’t about race or an overzealous prosecution by the federal government. Vick will be judged forever by his disgusting treatment of dogs.
If Vick succeeds, good for him. This dog and animal lover will never be a fan of his, though. Case closed.
The Reid Roundup
Michael Penix started at quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons last Sunday after coach Raheem Morris benched Kirk Cousins. Penix became the 21st Black QB to start for an NFL team in 2024… …LeBron James broke Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record for minutes played last Thursday. Following his 34-minute performance, James was at 57,471, surpassing Jabbar’s 57,446…How much is Steph Curry worth? According to Sportico’s annual assessment, GSW is valued at an NBA high of $9.14 billion. The franchise is followed by the New York Knicks ($8.3B) and the L.A. Lakers ($8.07B)…Only the Dallas Cowboys at $10.3 billion have a higher valuation than the Warriors in U.S. professional sports… The Trump craziness continued last week when the president-elect nominated Herschel Walker to be U.S. Ambassador of the Bahamas…From the entire Reid family, including Bella the dog and Reuben the cat, Happy New Year!
Dude you need to get a life ,people like you are the reason this world is the way it is he did his time and you keep reliving it ,if it was your child or relatives and people keep bringing it up everytime they try moving forward with their life you would have a fit get over it.
Agree with Ronnie Mill 👏🏾. People make mistakes and they deserve to reform and live a normal life in peace without being reminded very day. Let those without sin cast the first stone. Mr. Reid you need to ask God to remove this from your heart and move on, I admire you for your love of the dog, now show the same love to man kind. Life to short and precious to waste on hatred.
Mr. Reid, agreed. His treatment of animals wasn’t just a “mistake.” It shouldn’t be minimized. It was sociopathic / psychopathic behavior. And his path to reform really needs to be examined and proven to be adequate enough before he takes on a leadership role for several generations.
Thank you for saying this, and for advocating for pit bulls. I always remind people that animals are only products of their environment. Any animal could be aggressive if it was constantly put in situations where it fears for its safety. But people don’t care enough to educate themselves and find it easier to just make generalizations. For all the people saying “quit bringing up Vick’s past”-yes he did his time, and yes he should get a second chance, which he’s gotten. But wouldn’t someone who’s truly remorseful want to use their platform as a pro athlete to do some good and try to educate others? He could speak on what happened, and discourage people from being involved in or supporting this horrible thing that’s still a problem in the world. Think of how big of an impact that could make and how many potential dogs could be saved from a life of endless fear and suffering, or excruciating deaths. I feel like when you’re given a second chance, you should take that as an opportunity to do the right thing. I wish more people who are forgiven for their past mistakes felt this way.
Did Tony and Ronny read the dang article? Vick and his cronies tortured (b/c that’s what dogfighting is) and killed dogs. As a business. That kind of behavior is sociopathic. He may have reformed himself. Go for him if that’s the case. But I certainly, and he shouldn’t, forgot the horrible things he did.
Thank you for rescuing these dogs! They are not bad dogs, it’s bad humans.
I refused to support the Eagles for almost 10 years because of him. I’m from Philly!
I don’t agree with him teaching in any
college or high school.