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Highlands Today

Michael Vick Deserves A Second Chance

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Highlands Today Staff

Published: December 12, 2007

It seems to be human nature that many people enjoy seeing the high and mighty fall. That's why so many people feel good about Michael Vick being sentenced to almost two years in prison for a dog-fighting ring he bankrolled. For the rest of us, only sadness is left. That's because so many dogs were tortured and killed, and a young man with great promise has crashed and burned.

Michael Vick was sentenced in a federal court Monday for his part in a dog fighting ring, and his participation in executing dogs that under-performed. He helped hang them, beat them and drown them. It's too sickening to go into detail of what actually happened. Suffice it to say it was animal cruelty at its worst. Dog fighting alone fits that description, but what they did trumped even that.

So the NFL star quarterback now faces 23 months in jail, and his return to football is in question. What we can say now is that he was convicted of a heinous act and is paying for it. The time for vilification is over. If he does his time and no more problems are found, he must be given a second chance.

Our country is built on second chances. That's because most of us believe that someone can do something wrong – and even terrible – and can redeem his or herself. We owe him the opportunity to do that. If not, why do we even try to rehabilitate people?

Vick has lost tens of millions – if not more – of dollars in bonuses and endorsements due to his crimes. He's also become a poster boy in the animal rights world. We understand the anger by any animal lover due to the cruel acts he condoned or carried out. We also believe someone can see the error of their ways, and we pray that's true with Vick.

When Vick gets out of prison, he might resume his NFL career, if a team will take a chance on him. If he stays in shape, and still wants to do it, he'll get the opportunity. We hope that's the case.

The crimes he admitted to doing were sickening, but he deserves another chance.

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