by Gb Bongiovanni

Created on: September 03, 2009

One of the most intriguing quarterbacks in the NFL will make his anticipated pre-season debut for the Philadelphia Eagles after serving an eighteen month prison sentence for his role in leading a dog fighting ring. While there are many mixed emotions that surround the athlete, the media attention has been tremendous. Go ahead and search for Michael Vick on Google and you'll find over 1,000 articles with different journalists stating their options.

While sure, I may be just another one who is about to state an opinion, everyone is entitled to speak their mind. While I do not condone the previous actions of Vick, I believe that everyone is entitled to a second chance. In fact I think it is absurd that he is not playing in game number one and is still suspended.

There are numerous animals that are euthanized on a yearly basis, that there isn't a correct count. An estimated 9.6 million animals are euthanized on a yearly basis according to the humane society. Does that give anyone the right to go kill and fight dogs against each other, no, but does that give the justice system a reason to put a man behind bars for eighteen months?

That's the question I believe you have to ask yourself. I myself am a dog lover, but I am not the type of person who feels that an animal is like a child. There is a big difference between a human and an animal and some people take that for granted or substitute an animal for compassion and being lonely.

As I stated, I believe everyone is entitled to their opinion. There is not a right or a wrong but simply a belief. As someone who cannot see the importance of eighteen months being served for killing animals, what about people who commit worse crimes and get less time?

For instance, what about Donte Stallworth, now there is a damn joke. On March 14th, 2009 Stallworth's Bentley struck a man and killed him. Stallworth was charged with DUI and second degree manslaughter. Here is the real story, sentenced to 30 days in jail. He killed a man? Maybe he ran a red light because this is nothing but a slap on the wrist. Explain to me how someone can kill a human being and not get more than 30 days in jail?

Mr. Vick over here can get eighteen months for hurting dogs? Come on get real, what a joke. On a different note, how many animals do hunters kill on a yearly basis? Just because Bambi isn't in my home and drinking out of a bowl on the floor doesn't mean that Bambi is any different than that dog that was killed.

Regardless of what anyone says, Michael Vick has served his time and his debt to society. The problem is that a man or woman who has done something wrong in the eyes of the public is never actually free or has never paid his debt. He or she will always be looked upon as someone who did that something.

So enter #7 in Philly and get ready for the crap that is about to surround it. How sick am I of it, let me count the ways. How about how the local media was telling people to get rid of their season tickets? No way in hell was any Philly fan going to give up tickets because they signed Vick. To listen to the Philly fans applaud Vick was simply music to my ears. Imagine what this man has been through in the last few years. Well don't imagine too much, it is prison.

He has made a mistake, paid his debt, and should be welcomed back to his profession. Just as if someone who worked a regular 9-5 job as a plumber went to jail for the same thing, he would eventually get out and become a plumber again. Michael Vick is a football player once again and this writer supports his comeback and believes in giving people second chances.

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