Former Atlanta Falcon's multi-purpose quarterback, Michael Vick pleaded guilty to a Virginia state dogfighting charge. The plea agreement was a calculated move that now positions Vick to be eligible to leave Federal Prison early. In exchange for the plea, Vick received a three-year suspended sentence, a fine and four years probation for his role in the 2007 dogfighting incidents which resulted in him being suspended by the NFL. The fine will be suspended if Vick pays court costs and keeps the terms of the probation. The charges against Vick carried a maximum sentence of 10 years. Vick is scheduled to be released from federal prison July 20, 2009. The state plea agreement allows Vick to participate in the Federal Bureau of Prisons re-entry program. The program may include an early release and a stay at a halfway house for up to six months.
The question is: Is it time to forgive Michael Vick for his dogfighting role and allow him to return to the NFL? He most likely will receive a rough reception from many animal lovers around the nation if an NFL team has the guts to allow him back not to mention the public relations nightmare the brave team who accepts him into their fold will receive. But has Vick paid enough for his crime? He's serving a 23 month Federal Prison Term, he's lost all of his income, he's filed for bankruptcy, his NFL future is in jeopardy, he's a father and has to earn to support his family. So, has he paid enough? Should he be banished for life like Pete Rose was in Baseball? What do you think?
