Should Michael Vick be allowed to play again in the NFL?

***KATMAN*** · Jul 31st 2009, 10:40 PM

This has neen a hot topic on several boards.I'm kind of iffy on this one.I believe that as a Christian that everything can and should be forgiven. But even though I can forgive his deeds and actions,I don't believe he should be allowed to play in the NFL. I guess character has a lot to do with as does integreity.I don't expect any teams will be looking at him for a quaterback anytime soon. I mean little kids look up to professional atheletes.If one has broken the law and served jail time and then be able to play again,what message is that being sent to a kid? Discuss.

***Clavicula_Nox*** · Jul 31st 2009, 11:12 PM

No, I don't. Integrity.

***BrckBrln*** · Jul 31st 2009, 11:19 PM

Yes, I do. Second chances.

**amazzin** · Jul 31st 2009, 11:25 PM

Originally Posted by KATMAN

This has neen a hot topic on several boards.I'm kind of iffy on this one.I believe that as a Christian that everything can and should be forgiven. But even though I can forgive his deeds and actions,I don't believe he should be allowed to play in the NFL. I guess character has a lot to do with as does integreity.I don't expect any teams will be looking at him for a quaterback anytime soon. I mean little kids look up to professional atheletes.If one has broken the law and served jail time and then be able to play again,what message is that being sent to a kid? Discuss.

Everyone deserves a second and thrid and forth and fifth and tenth and 50th and 100th chance.

I am, so glad God doesn't see us as washed out and unworthy of grace and mercy

**tt1106** · Jul 31st 2009, 11:27 PM

He's a professional athlete. If someone is willing to pay him, I don't see why he shouldn't. There are plenty of other people in professional sports, that deserve some jail time also.
Although I see your point Clavicula, In my personal opinion, professional sports is well beyond that and may not be familiar with that word any longer.

***Clavicula_Nox*** · Aug 1st 2009, 01:26 AM

Originally Posted by tt1106

He's a professional athlete. If someone is willing to pay him, I don't see why he shouldn't. There are plenty of other people in professional sports, that deserve some jail time also.
Although I see your point Clavicula, In my personal opinion, professional sports is well beyond that and may not be familiar with that word any longer.

These people make a significant amount of money, prestige, and untouchable identity and they should be held to a significant standard in order to enjoy these perks. Considering the number of professional athletes that young people look up to, expecting them not to act like scum bags hardly seems like too tall of an order.

If professional sports is no longer familiar with Integrity, then that is indicative of a greater problem.

***Brother Mark*** · Aug 1st 2009, 01:52 AM

Originally Posted by KATMAN

This has neen a hot topic on several boards.I'm kind of iffy on this one.I believe that as a Christian that everything can and should be forgiven. But even though I can forgive his deeds and actions,I don't believe he should be allowed to play in the NFL. I guess character has a lot to do with as does integreity.I don't expect any teams will be looking at him for a quaterback anytime soon. I mean little kids look up to professional atheletes.If one has broken the law and served jail time and then be able to play again,what message is that being sent to a kid? Discuss.

Why should he not be able to make a living in a private enterprise because of his criminal background? He's paid his debt to society and society has released him. IMO, that should be the end of it.

However, if the fans don't want to pay to see him play, then he's no longer a good investment. So the market will determine it.

Finally, if he were in the midst of creating new problems and not following the rules, then sure, something needs to be done. That's just my 2 cents.

Let me ask this question... would you be alright with your company firing you and no other company hiring you because you committed a misdemeanor or felony?

**Nick J** · Aug 1st 2009, 02:18 AM

I think he should be able to because Jesus said it himself in Luke 18:2122

(Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”
“No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!)

I say if he has a repenting heart and is sorry, let him play (if any team wants him) but if he does it again then you "might" consider taking some kind of action. Thats just me.

**tt1106** · Aug 1st 2009, 02:22 AM

Originally Posted by Clavicula_Nox

These people make a significant amount of money, prestige, and untouchable identity and they should be held to a significant standard in order to enjoy these perks. Considering the number of professional athletes that young people look up to, expecting them not to act like scum bags hardly seems like too tall of an order.

If professional sports is no longer familiar with Integrity, then that is indicative of a greater problem.

I agree with you. The bigger problem is idolatry. It wouldn't be a tall order if the game and players were about the game and not the money. The only difference between Vick and others is Vick got caught. To not let him play because of his criminal record would be, imo, hypocritical. Whether or not Vick plays will not increase the reputation of the game. If it damages it, it will only do so until Sunday afternoon.

***KATMAN*** · Aug 1st 2009, 02:50 AM

Originally Posted by Brother Mark

Why should he not be able to make a living in a private enterprise because of his criminal background? He's paid his debt to society and society has released him. IMO, that should be the end of it.

However, if the fans don't want to pay to see him play, then he's no longer a good investment. So the market will determine it.

Finally, if he were in the midst of creating new problems and not following the rules, then sure, something needs to be done. That's just my 2 cents.

Let me ask this question... would you be alright with your company firing you and no other company hiring you because you committed a misdemeanor or felony?

If it hinders my performance and judgement,then I would see their point.Also,most companies wouldn't be paying top notch money to work for them because of a felony.

***Brother Mark*** · Aug 1st 2009, 02:59 AM

Originally Posted by KATMAN

If it hinders my performance and judgement,then I would see their point.Also,most companies wouldn't be paying top notch money to work for them because of a felony.

Michael Vick won't be getting top notch money from any NFL team. No one will pay him anywhere near what he was making before it happened.

One thing to keep in mind, what he did was against the law, but it is also a cultural thing. That is significant. Fighting animals is far more common than folk think. That doesn't justify breaking the law.

Still, it's not in societies best interest to make sure that ex-cons can't make a living. It is much more in our best interest to make sure that ex-cons are assimilated back into society and that all in the society are aware that a price is to be paid for breaking the law.

***KATMAN*** · Aug 1st 2009, 03:13 AM

I doubt if any teams will sign him.His best bet would be to go thru the CFL or the Arena leauge and work his way up.Nothing wrong with the CFL,many players done that route.I'm just saying 2 1/2 years in prison might have hindered his body.He won't be in tip top shape to play in the NFL in my opinion.

***Clavicula_Nox*** · Aug 1st 2009, 03:14 AM

Originally Posted by Brother Mark

Michael Vick won't be getting top notch money from any NFL team. No one will pay him anywhere near what he was making before it happened.

One thing to keep in mind, what he did was against the law, but it is also a cultural thing. That is significant. Fighting animals is far more common than folk think. That doesn't justify breaking the law.

Still, it's not in societies best interest to make sure that ex-cons can't make a living. It is much more in our best interest to make sure that ex-cons are assimilated back into society and that all in the society are aware that a price is to be paid for breaking the law.

I agree completely here. I am not saying Vick shouldn't be able to work anywhere else, but I am saying he should no be given the privilege of being a professional football player.

I don't like the argument of "Others do it, this guy just got caught" because it negates the fact that "this guy" was in fact caught and it should be acted upon accordingly.

***Brother Mark*** · Aug 1st 2009, 03:19 AM

Originally Posted by Clavicula_Nox

I agree completely here. I am not saying Vick shouldn't be able to work anywhere else, but I am saying he should no be given the privilege of being a professional football player.

Football is pretty much all he's ever done to make money. It's like telling an electrician he can have a job, just not as an electrician. IMO, that's a punishment that doesn't fit the crime.

I think a bigger issue is that society has made heroes of the sports figures. There was a time when that wasn't the case but it certainly is now.

I don't like the argument of "Others do it, this guy just got caught" because it negates the fact that "this guy" was in fact caught and it should be acted upon accordingly.

Oh, I agree with that. Thing is, not being able to work is double jeopardy IMO. It's akin to making him wear a scarlet letter. What I am saying is that what he did is not as bad in his culture as it is in ours. That should be considered. It's like when someone from NY city condemns a gun owner in South Ga. Not the same thing, but similar. It's a cultural thing with a lot of folks but it is still against the law. Because it's against the law, it doesn't matter about the culture, legally speaking. But if you grew up fighting dogs your whole life, and were in that culture, then it would require some changing of opinion and mind as an adult, or repentance. I think it is possible that has occurred.

He's paid his debt in full. Anything more is a blot on society IMO for extracting more than she agreed to charge.

Having said all that, the NFL should not bar him from playing. However, if teams do a study and find out that hiring him would hurt the bottom line, that would be too bad for him wouldn't it.

***Gulah Papyrus*** · Aug 1st 2009, 03:25 AM

I wasn't aware that there was anything is his sentence that included being banned from football. He made a mistake, paid his fine, did his time...of course he should be able to play. If the NFL banned every player that has ever broken the law we would be down to an 4 team league...kind of like the CFL!!!

The question is, will YOU stop watching the NFL because they let MV back in the league? To those who say he should not be allowed back in...put your money where your mouth is and not watch as long as he is in the league.