“The Ed Block Courage Award is a yearly honor given to those NFL players who “exemplify commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage.””
Each of the 32 NFL teams gets to select a recipient.
The Philadelphia Eagles chose Michael Vick who joined the team in August as their recipient. Vick had spent the last 18 months in federal prison for his role in a dogfighting ring on his property.
Vick’s award received mixed review both in the sports world and was soundly rejected by the animal rights world. Many in the sports world simply feel that Vick was awarded too soon. He needs more time.
Vick was quoted in thespec.com:
It means a great deal to me,” Vick said Wednesday. “I was voted unanimously by my teammates. They know what I’ve been through. I’ve been through a lot. It’s been great to come back and have an opportunity to play and be with a great group of guys. I’m just ecstatic about that and I enjoy every day.”
A three-time Pro Bowl pick in six seasons with Atlanta, Vick has played sparingly with the Eagles. He has two touchdowns rushing and one passing in 12 games.
Vick’s peers have acknowledged his courage and his journey back to the NFL. PETA, the animal rights group doesn’t quite have the same warm fuzzy feeling about Vick receiving this award as the Philadelphia Eagles. They issued a statement reprimanding the Eagles:
“The Philadelphia Eagles fumbled when they gave Michael Vick the Ed Block Courage Award, which was named after a man who advocated in behalf of abused children,” the PETA statement read. “Michael Vick should not be the person anyone points to as a model of sportsmanship, even though he has now exchanged dogs for touchdowns after serving time for extreme cruelty to animals. We wish him well in educating others, but this is not appropriate and does not mark a joyous moment in NFL history.”
Has the dude served his time? Has he shown remorse? Can leopards or NFL players change their spots?
Can the Eagles select their own recipient of the Ed Block Award without slack jaw from PETA? They already took some from PETA for signing Vick. When has a person served their time? Vick has done countless hours of community service working with the Humane Society, and speaking to schools and community groups about his involvement in dogfighting and publicly admitting his wrong-doing.
Does Vick need more time before he is allowed back into the fold? Vick is a gifted and talented athlete who wasn’t content with all he had. The endorsements, NFL salary, and the accolades weren’t enough. He had to have more. And his life came crashing down upon him. Has he had enough time to rehabilitate? Is it time for second chances?
