White House clarifies Obama's Michael Vick 'praise'

President's phone call to Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie ignites a bit of criticism.

Tue, Dec 28 2010 at 3:47 PM

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ZUMA Press

Michael Vick's performance this year as QB for the Philadelphia Eagles has earned him some new fans, including Barack Obama.

The president recently called Jeffrey Lurie, the owner of the Philadelphia Eagles, to praise the organization for giving quarterback Michael Vick a second chance; saying that "a level playing field rarely exists for prisoners who have completed their sentences."

That move, however, quickly rubbed some people the wrong way and the White House yesterday made sure that everyone knew Obama was not overlooking the convicted dog fighter's heinous crimes.

"The President did place a call to Mr. Lurie to discuss plans for the use of alternative energy at Lincoln Financial Field, during which they spoke about that and other issues," White House spokesman Bill Burton said." He of course condemns the crimes that Michael Vick was convicted of but, as he's said previously, he does think that individuals who have paid for their crimes should have an opportunity to contribute to society again."

Outside of football, Vick made headlines all over last week for saying in an interview that he would love to get a dog sometime in the future. "I think it would be a big step for me in the rehabilitation process," he said. "I think just to have a pet in my household and to show people that I genuinely care, and my love, and my passion for animals.”

Humane Society of the US President Wayne Pacelle further added to the outrage caused by those comments by backing up Vick saying, "I have been around him a lot, and feel confident that he would do a good job as a pet owner." This in turn caused many HSUS supporters to rail against the organization, with some even demanding Pacelle's resignation.

Don't get me wrong, I believe Vick should be given a second chance as well -- but I think it's just a bit too early for anyone to say with certainty that the guy has turned a corner. The world of sports can turn villains into heroes overnight, but it will probably take many more years of advocacy before Michael Vick is considered one off the field -- if ever.

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Comments: 5

Edpeak Dec 29 2010 at 10:11 PM

"Michael Vick brings more to this economy on the football field than he does in jail or as a victim of execution" And same is true for virtually every other prisoner in the USA, the world's capital in per capita throw-them-in-prison, where instead of paying tens of thousands, they could be returned as a productive member of society if we actually meant "corrections" as in help people correct their course, when we use "corrections" as a euphamism for "we want them to suffer" because our culture encourages

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that...brutalizing them (rape, beatings, and less extreme but still brutal aspects) mean they return to society, all other things being equal, LESS capable of avoiding anti-social behavior, just because of the "I'm MORE brutal towards prisoners than my opponent" rightwing politics.. Everything above goes for even real criminals....that fact that so many of our "criminals" are not even real criminals but there for victim-less offenses (taking drugs) makes it that much more insane a policy (and I say this as someone who doesn't take and never has taken any illegal drug..and who does not take a legal drug called alcohol either) The politics of retribution, punishment, and "make them suffer" must end. Right now in so many places more money is spent building more prisons than universities, or repairing potholes, or repairing crumbling schools, etc

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texan independence Feb 03 2011 at 11:00 AM

vick ritually tortured his dogs who lost fights, the prize moneys were in the hundreds of thousands for some events, this was grown men who were already rich now enjoying seeing dogs rip eacxhother's faces apart. Vick went beyond even the norm of sadism for a dog fighter he electrocuted, hung dogs who refused to fight even one dog that refused to fight a girl dog. you think we need some murderers and pedophiles and rapists adding to our economy you need to move to china. our president you would think

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had more important matters

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bluishgreen Dec 29 2010 at 11:02 AM

This issue is getting analyzed from a lot of perspectives. My perspective is an economic one: Michael Vick brings more to this economy on the football field than he does in jail or as a victim of execution, as some suggest he should have been. I also think that some of the views in these blogs are disturbing, especially the one about the "Christian" on Fox News saying that Vick should be executed. I've shared a link to this blog, along with a few others, in a bledit at: http://bleditor.com/bledit.

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php?bleditID=15534

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Brenda Dec 28 2010 at 7:40 PM

Just because a guy can throw a football well, he deserves a second chance? When will people get it through their heads that anyone who can enjoy such horrific animal abuse can be equally as horrific to HUMANS? If you don't have compassion for the suffering of animals, you can't have compassion for people, either. Obama, you have just lost what respect I had for you. Sick.

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Mark Dec 28 2010 at 5:10 PM

If Mr. Vick came back to the NFL and had a mediocre season, would President Obama make that phone call? No! I hope Michael Vick continues to do well and avoids future run-ins with the law. But good grief, if he does that, your President might make him Secretary of State.