2009.03.31
Possible book deal for Michael Vick
The New York Daily News' Web site is reporting that Michael Vick, who is nearing the end of his 23-month prison term for operating a brutal dog fighting ring here in Virginia, has a literary agent shopping for a book deal.
According to the Web site, the book could be viewed as an act of contrition on Vick's part and a step toward the remorse NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said would be required for the suspended quarterback to be reinstated in the league.
It is unclear if Vick were to sign a book deal if the money could be seized by the government under the "Son of Sam" law that prevents convicted criminals from profiting from book and movie deals about their crimes.
Vick's crimes, in my opinion, were not victimless and did cost taxpayers money beyond the court costs of prosecuting him. I think it's only reasonable that any advance he might receive or profits from book sales should be redirected to the Virginia shelters that kept more than 50 dogs until he entered his guilty plea and to the rescue groups across the country that took the dogs in after he was convicted.
If the law doesn't compel him to do it, I think Vick should offer to do it voluntarily. Of course, that assumes there is a publishing house that would release the book and that it would sell.
What do you think? Would you buy Michael Vick's book?
Comments on this blog are mediated. Please remember to keep all comments clean and on topic.
This could potentially be a great thing... if people will allow it to be. Before he got into trouble, a lot of people looked up to Vick as a role model. A lot of those people still hope for the best for him and hope that he really learned a lesson and isn't just going through the motions. A book like this could be great for showing people that you can't just do whatever you want to do just because you're rich and famous, it will all crash down around you eventually. It would also be a great way for him to let his fans know and understand what he was thinking, and hopefully what he has learned from his poor choices. As far as profits... he's already set up his future NFL salary for paying off debts, I would imagine that any profits from a book deal like this would go to similar use, or be added to the money that he already provided before to care for the dogs that were seized from his property.
I hope that he is truely remorseful for what he was a part of, and if that part is really true, then I hope that he does get to play in the NFL again. Think about it, if he is honestly sorry and does truly want to help make amends and be a better person in the future... he could do a lot of good with an NFL salary backing any future charitable efforts that you know he would be a part of.
Unless you're a mistake-free person, then all you can do is hope for the best and hope that he learned a real lesson. If you were never allowed to learn from your mistakes and improve as a person through the things that you learn, this world would be a sorry place to be!
Comment by hokie24 — March 31, 2009 @ 12:24 pm
No I would not look at his book much less buy it. I dont think he should be allowed back in the NFL either. He should have been punished far worse for what he did to thoes animals. They did not deserve to be treated the way that they were. Yes, he has served his 23 months but I do not think that is near enough time for the damage that he caused. Him playing again would be a slap in the face of every dog owner or animal lover. It would be saying its ok to kill animals as long as your rich or athletic or whatever ... serve a few months at the tax payers expense then go back to million dollar contracts and nothing really would have changed - you get a 2 year vacation. A book deal would be worse ... think back to OJ ... REALLY?
Comment by Erin — March 31, 2009 @ 12:45 pm
If he is sincere in his remorse and regret for his stupid actions, then that's great. I would definitely hope any proceeds from the book deal would be seized and used to repay his bad debts, government expenses, and the expenses to treat and house the dogs that were found. Any additional proceeds should be used to help fund education efforts from places like the Humane Society.
I'm mixed on a potential return to the NFL. I beleive that if a person makes a mistake, or does something aggregiously stupid, if they demostrate that they have learned from it and stay clean afterward, then I think he ought to get another chance to play. I doubt he will ever be a QB because he would then be a franchise face, and I don't see any club taking on that risk and headache. But, there is a good chance he could again play on Sundays and serve as an example of both what not to do, and what can happen when a person reforms themselves...if he legitimately has.
That said, if he is not truly a better person for having served time and lost the material possesions and livlihood that he used to know, then he ought not get a second chance and have to live with that reality for the remainder of his days. Perhaps that sort of secondary punishment will help him see the light of day. I will never look at him the same as I once did, and cannot forgive him for what he did either. There are certainly worse crimes that he could have committed, but this one is among the worst possible. I guess only time will tell on Vick.
Comment by Other John — March 31, 2009 @ 1:14 pm
I would not buy a book about him. If someone was to leave one on my porch for me to read, I would throw it away. I hope the NFL does not take him back...after what he did to the dogs, I think it sends a very bad message to people.
Comment by Deborah — March 31, 2009 @ 7:30 pm
I have read the other post's here and get very different views, which everyone is intitled to, but, as a christian i forgive him for the pain and suffering he has caused and i believe he has served his time. I do believe he will again play in the nfl as a QB and i think he will be a better man all around. I own a pit bull and have had a hard time getting people to stop judging me for owning one, he is the sweetest animal i have ever owned and i would not trade him for anything. Murderers have served the same amount of time along with child molesters who serve no time, yet knowbody screams about that, let Michael Vick think about what he has done, he knows and he lives with it every day. We all have other things we could be worried about instead of this.
Comment by Mike T — March 31, 2009 @ 10:07 pm
I would not purchase or read a book by Michael Vick. I have two loving dogs, a pit bull and a pit mix. My dogs are loving companions and are not aggressive or mean. Michael Vick's dogs were made to act aggressive by their owner. I think Michael Vick has shown no remorse for his actions. I am not sure that anyone with a heart could treat their dogs the way he did and with no heart how can you have remorse? I hope he is not allowed to return to the NFL where some child might admire him.
Comment by Sheri — April 1, 2009 @ 8:06 pm
what on earth can he possibly say that has not been printed in the press?
Comment by josiah p. — April 2, 2009 @ 11:49 am