Michael Vick Ed Block Courage Award Ceremony Sparks Protests
Written by Vegetarian Star on March 10th, 2010 in Animal Issues, Athletes-Games-Sports.
Michael Vick was recently awarded the Ed Block courage award for his “sportsmanship” and “courage,” but not everyone who attended the event was supportive.
Several people gathered outside the facility, holding signs that read “No awards for dog killers” and “Cowards abuse animals.”
Each year several players receive the award if they are chosen to be “role models” that “exemplify commitments to the principles of sportsmanship and courage.”
One protester, according to the Baltimore Sun, said, “I find it appalling to give this to someone that has gotten enjoyment from hurting dogs,” she said. “What is he courageous about?”
A spokesman for the foundation awarding Vick, Paul Mittermeier said, “People have the right to voice their opinion.”
Vick has served time in jail for his involvement with dog fighting and has partnered with the Humane Society to discourage dog fighting in communities, especially among youth.
Is it time for activists to let go and focus on other campaigns?
Or is their constant presence in the midst of Vick’s comeback needed as a painful reminder that society should choose better role models.
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March 11th, 2010 at 4:04 pm
Vick has no respect for the lives and well-being of our fellow creatures. Hid had zero
impact on the Eagles this year and should have been banned from the NFL.
March 11th, 2010 at 11:33 pm
We are all human beings and we all make mistakes. Michael Vick did jail time, restitution, and has made every attempt to make amends for his actions. Some people, however, forget that we are all human and no one is perfect, and they keep wanting to crucify Vick again and again. Personally, the fact that some people refuse to acknowledge that people can change, or that certain people can change, makes me wonder more about any potential biases that they may have.
Let Michael Vick continue to speak out against dog fighting. To try and act as if human beings cannot be forgiven makes me wonder more about a person’s lack of apathy towards their fellow man.
March 11th, 2010 at 11:38 pm
For the record, I am an avid animal lover, and I detest those that abuse animals. I also realize that the entire trial with all of the plea bargains, testimonies, etc., does not seem like it may have been the most equal of trials, and I feel that Michael Vick has made every attempt to rectify his wrongs. I do feel that the way people react towards him, might be very different if it were, say, Joe Montana who was convicted of dog fighting and animal abuse.
Let the man right his wrongs and continue with his life and try and be a positive role model. To continuously berate him only shows that for some people, those who claim to care for animals may show more tolerance and compassion towards animals, than their fellow man.