Michael Vick was born in Newport News Virginia in 1980.  He was a standout player and signed on to Quarterback for Virginia Tech after high school.  Like many athletic stars, he left after only two years and was the first overall draft choice for the Atlanta Falcons in 2001.  He gained notoriety in the NFL for his incredible agility and in 2006 was considered one of the richest athletes in the US.  He is perhaps best known for his dog fighting ring, in which his dogs were forced to fight and when they didn’t perform were hanged, shot, drowned, and electrocuted.

To call Michael Vick an animal would be a disservice.  Animals don’t kill for sport. Michael Vick is a creature of which the only connection to other living things is by way of Hitler, or Charles Manson.

However, we punish cruelty to animals less severely than we punish cruelty to humans, and Vick has served his time.  He gets out of prison this week after 23 months behind bars in Kansas.  While fresh air may sound good for most people, Vick walks out into a world of hurt.  He is currently going through bankruptcy, civil cases, and a lawsuit over a pit bull that was loaned to him for breeding.  He will be allowed to work at a construction company while under house arrest.  After that period of time he can again play football, if the NFL lets him.

Vick has stated that he plans to live his life differently now, and whether or not you believe him is irrelevant.  In this society, he has now earned his second chance.

But what should Michael do to make things right?  Should he give 10% of his earnings to police forces chasing down dog fighting rings and organizations that help rehab these dogs?  Sure.  But this is only an attempt to fix the damage he has caused.  He needs to fix the damage caused to him.

If you’re confused then that’s good.  Here’s the thing with athletes destined for greatness: From a very young age they know it. This can be damaging to that person.  By age 14 Vick would have known he could be playing pro ball someday.  He would have college recruiters watching him at games, calling him at home, and potentially buying his family dinner.  By 18 he would already have an ego and would be coddled by potential agents, coaching staff, and even fans.  In college he would be on the national stage, and even though he was cocky and downright rude even to his own fans, he got away with any bad behavior.  Shortly after being drafted, Vick was already known to be rolling in the wrong crowds.  In 2004 two men were arrested driving a van owned by Vick full of weed.  In 2006 Michael Vick shot the bird to his own fans in his own stadium after a poor performance.  This is not the behavior of someone who is in a position to set a good example for kids that grow up in meager circumstances.

While personal responsibility is an important issue here, someone like Michael Vick was never in a situation to learn what that means.  Even as a teenager he would be surrounded by “friends” drawn to him for his potential to make money.  These friends are only interested in the Vick teat and what it can do for them.  They would serve as simply a bad influence on everything Michael Vick did.  It comes as no surprise these “friends” bailed on Vick as soon as they were in cuffs, all willingly pointing the finger at Vick.

The sports industry needs reform from the bottom up.  You have young kids recruited by agents and colleges before they can even drive.  You have thousands of athletes that burn through their cash within five years of retirement because they never properly learn money management.  Michael Vick could prove he learned his lesson if he focused his efforts on reforming an industry that contributed to his own personal failings. Not everyone falls victim to the Michael Vick effect, but enough have and someone needs to take the lead in making changes.

Personal Note:
I’ll never understand how breeding animals to fight is considered masculine.  I’ll always be reminded of Vick each time someone fears my boxer, because they look so much like pit bulls.  I’ll see Vick’s face every time an apartment considers Boxers an aggressive breed, based solely on an insurance report of dog attacks from a pit bull/boxer looking animal.  American bull dog owners also feel my pain.  Michael Vick has contributed to making pit bulls, and all dogs that look aggressive, outcasts.

Photos: keithallison, pete4ducks, sylvar

By The Weakonomist

The Weakonomist is the founder of Weakonomics. Clicking the picture of the puppy will tell you more about him. If you like what you're reading consider subscribing to the blog, following him on Twitter, and checking out the related posts below. Please consider a donation if you really enjoy Weakonomics.

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