Michael Vick, the disgraced quarterback who served his time for running illegal dog-fighting operations, has started a blog. His first entry was all about remorse.
I know many folks think Vick is a disgusting human being and a lot of people were very upset that he landed a job with the Philadelphia Eagles, but read the post anyway. Let me know if it changes your outlook at all. It’s a long entry, but worth the read. If nothing else, this is how an apology should look. I read it and saw sincerity and remorse, accountability and a plan for change. Chris Brown could learn a thing or two here:
I’m sorry. That’s the place where I need to begin. My feeling of remorse. I ain’t never written a blog before, so putting my thoughts down on paper is a challenge – however it’s a challenge I must face. I can look a 250 pound linebacker in his eyes at the line of scrimmage and have no fear. But expressing myself when I know that there are millions of people who are so angry with me, and rightfully so, is a challenge unlike any other I have faced before.
What I did was horrendous. Awful. Inhumane. And I’ve no excuses for my actions. It makes my heart hurt now to think about what I’ve done. And I’m gonna be real honest, it took a while for me to get to this place.
Sitting in a prison cell didn’t make me feel remorse. It was meeting so many animal lovers, speaking with them and looking them in their eyes. Staring at them. Looking so deep into their eyes that I began to feel their pain. Allowing that pain to enter into my body is when I started to understand how bad it really was. I have been trying hard to connect with people who feel this pain,because for my whole life I was disconnected from the suffering of animals. And you might say, “come on Mike, how could you do those things to those dogs?” And you’re right…I
ask myself those questions every day. What kind of person does this? How does a human-being treat dogs or any animal with such pain and cruelty? And the hard part for me is the answer to these questions. Because the answer is ME. And I am trying so hard right now to become a better person, because who I was, I am ashamed of.Cause see, my whole life has been numb. I was numb to the violence in my community…cause I saw it all the time, ever since I was a child. I mean, how does one grow up in a city that’s nickname is Bad Newz? You can probably guess that from the jump, ya’ know I’ve seen some bad things in my life. And football was the only way that I could escape. As a kid, I even used to go out fishing, and most of the times I wouldn’t catch a darn thing, but just needed to get away from the chaos every once in a while. So, when the commissioner called my name as the #1 draft pick in the NFL – the first time a black quarterback had ever been chosen as the #1 pick, I thought my life was all good. But, what I didn’t realize then, that I have begun to realize now, is that even though I had more money in my pocket, big cars and big houses, I was still numb. And when I say numb, I ain’t talkin about not realizing the stuff that was going on around me, it was just like I was living life asleep. However, that is still no excuse for what I did. But let’s not forget that there are still hundreds of thousands of young people growing in similar environments and seeing violence at a young age has severe consequences.
Now that I’m trying my best to wake up, I know I have a lot of work to do. And this isn’t about trying to win a Super Bowl ring or a MVP trophy…this is about trying to save lives. I think back to when I use to play football and of course I use to see all those kids in the stands wearing #7 jerseys. And I would never want them to look up to the Michael Vick who did all of those terrible things to the dogs. I know where I need to do the most work is with all of the people around the world who continue to fight dogs. Let me be straight forward with y’all: What I did was wrong, and what you’re doing is wrong. We must stop dog fighting, and I will do everything in my power to be a voice of someone who has finally woken up from the numbness, and knows just how bad it really is. My mission now is to be a source of service to save many animals. I am working very closely with The Humane Society and will be launching a new campaign shortly. If I had one hope in life, it would be that my actions will speak louder than my words. I know it will be hard to forgive me until you see my sincerity through my actions, but I promise you and I promise myself that that day will come.
Lastly, I accept this challenge, not of writing this blog, but of redeeming myself.
How do you even know he wrote that….. there are things out there called publicists.
Don´t be such a cynic. Sometimes its better to believe that people can change.
i like that.
I agree. I HIGHLY doubt he wrote this. Either way, he’s still a miserable human being.
Considering the bad grammar and the folksy-ness with which it was written, I think he wrote it. Give him time to redeem himself. Everyone should be forgiven at some point.
We need to get Heather Mills’ daughter near this man and see what happens.
haha AWESOME.
Hahah yes!
This is heartbreaking! I didn´t konw anything about him but just reading this, it made me want to know him.
I thought he was sorry for more horrible things like hurting human beings but no, if this is how you apologize for killing dogs, than apologizing for hurting human beings should be a thousend times more heartbreaking! That just give me a tiny idea of Chris Brown´s mind and soul.
I believe him.
And this is coming from a proud parent of a rescue dog who, until reading this apology, hated Mr. Vick. His actions still must reflect his words, but right now, I believe him.
I think it’s sincere, and having worked with so many children that grow up in homes where pops and smacks are commonplace punishment for small infractions, I can understand how a person can become “numb”to violence. Because if you grow up in a place where human beings are not treated with respect, animals are even less sentient beings, so the thought of them feeling pain or suffering doesn’t even enter the mind. So I am proud of him, and although I like the Human Society Campaign, I would like to see him do something with kids as well, to teach them about how to treat one another, and animals, since he himself identified his upbringing as the course of his behavior.
He doesn’t say he looked into the dogs’ eyes and saw their pain… but looked into the animal lovers’ eyes and saw their pain. Hmmm… I’m suspicious he’s made a seed change. Sure, he probably feels like shit that everyone is mad at him, but do you think he can identify with the animal? That’s what would make a difference to me.
And in an age where published photographs have any unwanted wrinkle photo-shopped out, do you really think that this blog piece isn’t the product of a team of editors, publicists, and counselors? Someone probably sat him down and said, “Look, if you want to get back to making 6-figures, here’s what you need to do.” What’s concerning is that we actually believe media photography depicts reality! And belive that blog posts are written from the heart! Come on, get a dose of reality.
People can change… but how much?
I call bullshit on that entire piece that he (or his advisers) wrote. I don’t believe for ONE SECOND he’s sorry about all the fun he had with his dog fighting enterprise. I agree with your feeling that “Someone probably sat him down and said, “Look, if you want to get back to making 6-figures, here’s what you need to do.” You BET they did.
Call me a suspicious cynic…you BET I am, when it comes to a grown man enjoying seeing animals starved, greased up and fighting to a bloody death. Let’s not forget about the rape cages for the female dogs and the killing of dogs who couldn’t fight well enough. Do some REAL research on this hideous CRIME. Hopefully, it will make you sick.
Vick was “sorry” the moment he heard that prison door slam shut. Sorry about losing the lifestyle he was enjoying; not suddenly sorry for torturing animals for his and his buddies’ pleasure.
Agreed. Saying he “funded a dog fighting ring” doesn’t come close to describing the decade long ritualistic, day to day pleasure torturing and killing of animals *we* domesticated to be our companions.
I don’t think those impulses just click off one day. (And no one even mentions his “Ron Mexico” / herpes days where he also had disregard for humans, for those of you who don’t think animals “count.”)
Plus this fucker ATE the dogs!
I think he should be able to move on with his life, hopefully be a better person .. but NOT as a sports hero. If it were any other industry he’d never stand a chance of getting re-hired.
It’s 7 figures, and I really hated Vick for what he did, but I’m going to give him a chance to redeem himself. Every person deserves the chance for forgiveness.
Wow.
That’s a f*cking good apology.
If he follows through with allthis I’ll be really proud of him.
And I’m inclined to bellieve he DID write it (though no doubt had it once-overed) Matches some clear markers of his personal speech. After light comparison, anyway.
I agree completely. That was definitely a heart-felt, sincere apology and I can understand why he did what he did after a childhood surrounded by violence. I’m glad he is taking actions to really change. Good for him.
You can understand throwing a small toy sized dog into a ring with two pit bulls and watching them get into a bloddy fight over eating and ripping the smaller dog from limb to limb because his daddy had a strong pimp hand?
You canunderstand funding the fight ring and electrocuting dogs that ddint fight well because he got slapped around?
Interesting.
Okay, yeah, that came out wrong. Way wrong. I meant to re-word that. I can’t understand being so cruel to animals (i’m a vegetarian for goodness sake), but I can see how someone with that kind of background would be more prone to violent behavior if that behavior had been condoned.
I hope this is a sarcastic comment.
I was raised in a very small town with very little diversity. Now I attend The University of Toledo in Toledo, OH. This might not be the biggest city but we do definitely have a lot of diversity and areas of the city are none as “bad”. One of the things I’ve learned from being around different races and people in general is that dog fighting is a norm for many people. Its like hunting, when I first saw an animal killed I was shocked and appalled but the more you see it the more numb you become to it. In this case I believe Michael Vick was numb to it. It takes a lot to actually open your eyes and realize what you are doing is wrong and I don’t think Michael Vick is sincere and if he is, I don’t want to hear him say it I want his actions to breath sincerity and kindness and remorse so we know its real.
There are murderers and rapists in the NFL no one seems to care. But a dog abuser now that we cannot forgive. So fucking backwards. I want an apology from Ray Lewis…
Word! I think society needs to stop worshiping this meat heads in general.
Stop giving sociopaths freebies for fucking up peoples lives just cause they can throw a ball.
I care, but two wrongs don’t make a right. Just because some do horrible things and get away with it doesn’t mean we have to let everyone get away with it when we know better.
Yeah I am still waiting for Ray apology too. Worse he dimed out people to get a deal. Real manly.
I think Michael Vick has a right to earn a living. I think he had his chance to play in the NFL and blew it and it should have remained that way.
He has a second chance. He is out of prison early. That alone should be his reward, not 3 million dollars.
I hope the Eagles suffer the same fate they did when they signed Terrell Owens. He made a complete ass of that team (although he was spot on about Donavan Mcnabb). They knew what he was like when they signed him. So when this current piece of crap fucks up we can again laught at the Eagles and do a Nelson “Ha! Ha!
Michael Vick should be forced to shovel dog shit for 10 years at minimum wage. bet he wouldnt get it then either.
He is sorry he got caught people. He is not sorry for his actions. He is sorry his money is gone, He is not sorry for his actions. I only hope the defensemen are dog lovers and flatten his ass when Donavan has to go out for the season three games in as usual.
I don’t think a dog is any less important than a person. Roger Goodell has made it his mission to punish those who do wrong in the NFL. There are people who slipped under the radar in doing their damage before Goodell (see Ray Lewis), but I think that people who hurt animals are just as bad as those who harm human life. I myself will give Vick a chance, but I really don’t like people who think that someone who kills someone in a DUI is worse than someone who killed and tortured more than 300 dogs (most disgustingly those that “couldn’t perform”).
I agree this is an example of how an apology should be written but his sorry ass excuse does not fly with me.
Let me tell you something you piece of shit football tard, I know what it is to see real violence, real poverty, and real suffering in this world and NEVER ONCE did I use that as an excuse to treat another human or an animal in such a vile and disgusting way.
NUMB? Are you fucking kidding me? For all of you sheeple who want to believe this fucker is “sorry” after he looked into animal lovers eyes ( BULL SHIT!) please go do a little search on google about how he WITH HIS OWN BARE HANDS choked the life out of under performing dogs.
There are millions of kids who grew up in hard ass towns fighting for survival. This man is just a BITCH ASS PUSSY who got off on the power to take lives. Serial killers are “numb” types.
Fuck this dude!
Word.
And THANK YOU.
Totally agree. There are people who witness violence every day and never harm another living thing (dog or human). I just don’t believe that after only two years he has changed.
And I agree that those individuals in any of the professional sports leagues (and anyone with money and/or celebrity) should be held accountable for their actions. They’re not above the law.
I don’t even have to make a comment, you summed it up perfectly.
There are tons of people in the world that see and experience violence first hand and they don’t go out and harm animals (or humans) for their own sick, twisted pleasure. I wonder how people would feel if he was tortured in the same way those dogs were? Hmm.
His words were touching. I look forward to seeing his words turned into action. Until then they’re still just words.
Actions speak louder than words. I will await his future behavior.
Many people seem to be skeptical about whether or not Vick actually regrets what he’s done.
I can’t say either way, but I wonder what exactly his apology would have to look like in order to convince people he really had changed?
I think it’s actions that will convince people, not apologies.
Well said.
Impressive; even with help, it’s a show on what he’s been through; how he grew up, dog fighting was a part of a cultural thing, never thinking of the pain or cruelty of it… seeing, meeting and talking to these people seems to have woken him up to it all… Good for him! Let’s see what he does with it, give him a chance. Ignorance does not get a 2nd chance but he should get 1 more.
Some of you will not be satisfied with anything this man does from this point forward – that’s your choice. But I feel that sometimes people make mistakes. They should be punished – he was. He should be allowed to move forward and I, for one, forgive him and am willing to allow him to have a second chance. What would satisfy you haters? Nothing. That’s the truth. And so be it … however, I can forgive and hope that he is sincere and genuine, and know that he will make restitution and make huge advancements in educating society, especially inner-city kids, about the atrocities that occur with this so called “sport”. Some of you will never get it, others can empathize with the ignorance that these people are brought up with.
Michael Vick, I hope you go on to change things for the better as you have realized what a horrific thing you did. I hope you can save lives and make an impact in the world of animal fighting.
That was very well said.
I completely agree.
Oh I know people CAN change but I don’t think he’s at that point yet. No, I don’t have any insight into his life and I don’t know him personally but I do have experience with other people who have made mistakes.
I hope that over the years he can become a positive role model for all.
The only thing he’s sorry for is that he got caught. I hope he proves me wrong – I really do.
I don’t think so. That’s what separates him from Chris Brown. Vick is at least admitting what he’s done (Has Chris Brown ever even said ‘I Beat My Girlfriend’??) He really does seem to feel remorseful for what he did.
He has a lot of expectations to meet now that he’s involved with the Humane Society and I think that what he does to deter animal abuse will be loads more productive than having him sitting in a jail cell for the rest of his life.
But I’m being optimistic!!
All I heard was “Blah blah, animal lover’s eyes, blah blah, smacked as a kid, blah blah, give me millions of dollars to play football again.” He, and all the other professional athletes, who are convicted of violent crimes can rot in Hell.
are we supposed to be okay with this now? i appreciate his effort, but still can’t justify why he is back in business making 1.6 million. sorry.
TO ALL THE MICHAEL VICK HATERS:
Since nothing he ever says or does will ever earn him any foregiveness or credibility in your eyes, maybe he should just go back to fighting dogs. Sound good? Even as a 3rd string backup QB in the NFL, Michael Vick will make enough money to resume his former practice of dog fighting and cruelty to animals……
A bunch of you fucking whiners can’t seem to see the greater good beyond your own personal opinions, agendas, and emotions. Whether he’s full of shit or not is irrelevant…. he’s trying to save animals, now, period. People that TRULY care about the welfare of animals can see that.
I’m pretty sure all of the animals (not to mention their owners) who will be benefitting from his donations and contributions couldn’t give much less of a fuck about whether or not his heart was in it. He did wrong, and now he’s trying to do right.
Besides… how many of you actually gave enough of a shit to do something about the dog fighting epidemic before Michael Vick’s heinous conduct brought it before your eyes? Michael Vick may not have been sorry about dog fighting BEFORE he was caught, but 90% of the haters out there didn’t give a shit about dog fighting until AFTER he was caught. So shut the fuck up, already!!!
Your opinion may be minutely significant when the day comes that you don’t eat meat, don’t wear leather, don’t wear cosmetics tested on animals, or pretty much don’t do anything else that could be associated with animal cruelty.
Hey Walter, people are allowed to have opinions so calm down. Your argument really suffers when you call others names.
I get so annoyed with the “hater” accusation. It’s a fake word that makes the user sound ignorant.
Well, as my online nickname may suggest, I don’t do calm…..
I understand what you’re syaing about my argument losing it’s validity with the name calling, but I was pretty sure I was just following suit seeing as how Michael Vick has already been labeled a “miserable human being, meat head, sociopath, piece of shit football tard, and a BITCH ASS PUSSY” in the previous comments. I won’t even mention the numerous attacks on his sincerity.
I used the word “haters” because I type and write how I speak so as to convey my true personality and emotions. Anyone who has spent a decent amount of time on the internet is probably familiar with such a concept. While I did consider use of the terms “opponents, antagonists, adversaries, oppugnants, etc.” I determined that they were a little too formal for the subject matter at hand and the tone of my rant.
Besides, whether or not “haters” is a word, you still knew what I was trying to infer. You do know that a large number of English words found in a dictionary originated as colloquialisms, don’t you?
Yes but it sounds very immature. Your argument is very well written (which is very rare on the internet) so to me, the hater part took away from an otherwise good argument. As for anyone using the term “bitch ass pussy,” there’s no point in commenting.
I’m on the fence, I don’t care about him at all so I have no opinion. And I don’t know who your online name is referring to.
He’s trying to save animals now? Really? I’ll believe that when I see it. Of course, I’m still waiting for OJ to find the real killer……
You are one of those sheeple who will slurp up any old bull shit some PR whore spoon feeds your ass. Mark my words this BITCH ASS PUSSY who ATE DOGS has not changed and will not help ONE FUCKING ANIMAL OR HUMAN.
He just wants the dollars, son! Grow the fuck up and buy a clue! Whiners? yeah how dare people complain this SICK FUCK murdered and ATE DOGS.
Dumb ass!
Ahhh, I’m so torn. I’m always “middle-of-the-road” with these things. I do, to a certain extent, agree with one person up there saying it’s much easier to believe he’s changed than to remain cynical. But I can’t help but roll my eyes at this.
The day he decides to start volunteering with the Humane Society, there will be tons of media coverage, publicity on ET/Access/Extra/(insert here). Hell, there will probably be tons of photos of him cuddling puppies on here as well. It just makes me wonder whether his future good deeds will be for redemption or for reimbursement. Kids wearing #7’s might be easily swayed. But I (and I’m sure many others) will be skeptical. It takes more than one grandiose deed to show improvement…it’s a lifelong battle. I guess we shall see.
I’m starting to believe him!
I teach “numb” kids and I see all the time how they are living in survival mode. Kindness to animals has no place in their lives. I try to teach my students that animals have feelings of happiness, sadness, pain, etc. Something that Vick was obviously not taught.
I truly hope that Vick is sincere.
Life lesson learned. Each one, reach one. Time to teach.
He is scum. I have not changed my opinion at all. It will take a lot more than a written statement of what people want to hear, and what I feel i can safely say was in his contract to do. “Be contrite so we don’t lose fans and endorsements. F him and his handlers
I dont know whether or not Mike Vick is sincere. I do understand that you can be numb to animal killings. I lived on a farm in Jamaica and I remember seeing goats, pigs and cattle killed and not in an industrialized way. Also we had dogs and they were not friendly dogs, they were dangerous guard dogs that would attack and kill. People are products of their environment.
I’m from Missouri…you gotta show me. Talk is very cheap, Michael Vick. I want to see you walking the walk with the Humane Society of the United States. I want to see that you really understand the enormity of what you did at Bad Newz Kennels. The sadism of killing man’s best friend with your own two hands tells me that there is a dark core in your heart, Michael Vick. Like others before me here have said…there are children all over this country who are poor, who are deprived, who know nothing but poverty and despair. Yet to use that as an excuse to lose your humanity is just wrong. It is an insult to the many people who do pull themselves out and do it with moral convictions intact. It is always easier to take the low road. It takes true character and strength to do the right thing.
I think Michael Vick should be allowed to make a living. Working with those angels who rescue animals at the various ASPCA & Humane Societies throughout this country would be a good start. Maybe he can make a little more than minimum wage, who knows. I think he deserves little better than that until he PROVES he is a better man than he was before he was caught.
I agree with those who say there are “sports heroes” (cough, gag) who have gotten away with horrible crimes or gotten slapped on the wrists. I disagreed with all those light sentences vigorously, too! Don’t get me wrong on this. Just being appalled at the Vick case does not mean I am not even more appalled at the other injustices with regard to the ability to buy justice at times in this country. We had a case here in St. Louis where a young man from the Rams ran a red light — he had been celebrating his birthday with booze at a downtown hotel — and killed an innocent mother going to pick up her son. Mr. Little was quoted as saying “the b*tch ran a yellow light.” The man did not do the time for this act of manslaughter. They say he has made restitution to the family for his deed. A man is without his life partner, his wife and their children do not have a mother. What is the price of that, Mr. Little? I was angry at that case as well. I am sure there are those in other cities who have similar cases that stick in your craw. But that does not make my anger at Michael Vick any less severe. It just gives me something else to be p*ssed off about.
Prove yourself, Michael Vick. The world is watching. And don’t forget, sir, all dogs go to heaven. However, for you, the jury is still out.
No matter if Michael Vick is sincere about changing his ways, everyone should feel the urgency to go out and better humanity, Me included.
He gets credit for having the guts to admit what he did and make a public apology, which is more than most celebrities ever do. He also expresses remorse, even more rare.
I’m waiting to see if he follows up his words with actions, but as far as I’m concerned he took responsibility for what he did and that is huge. Yes, he laid some of the blame for his own nature elsewhere, but there is surely more than a kernel of truth to what he says.
Let those who have never sinned cast the first stone. Me, I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.
I think Vick is sorry, that he got caught. Nothing more nothing less – I’ve known people who grew up in horrific circumstances, they didn’t torture, injure, maim, and slowly kill dogs for fun, money and amusement – he doesn’t deserve forgiveness, he has to earn that and a apology letter doesn’t begin to make a dent in the harm and suffering he caused.
He wants his money and to be left alone to spend it.
Oh, fuck him. He is a lying MF. He’s just saying this to get everyone to like him again. A person who could do this to an animal is disgusting. God knows what he is capable of doing to a human being. I am so sick of people doing disgusting things and then “apologizing”. Gee, I am so sorry I did those horrendous, tortureous things to those poor, defenseless dogs. Yeah, right. You are just sorry you got caught you disgusting piece of shit. Here’s a quarter, call someone who cares.
wow… this actually does start to change my opinion, and i’m a friggin’ vegetarian.
“ME..Me…me..abused ME, lost my way, found THE way…. PLEASE forgive ME!!!”
Give ME a break!!!! He is appeasing anyone who will listen …rehabilitation is when he actually apologizes to the DOGS he “done wrong” and feels the empathy…I still do NOT understand how a “abused person” can use “abuse” as an excuse for “abusing”…please ‘splain???