I can’t look at Michael Vick running around on a football field, exhibiting preternatural speed and arm strength, and refrain from thinking, “Yup, that guy drowned and electrocuted dogs. Screw him and the Eagles.”
I’ll never root for Vick, and yet I respect the positive changes he seems to have made in his life. I understand he has an interesting life story to share, a cautionary tale that many underprivileged kids could benefit from hearing, and so when I see that Vick has been hired as a commencement speaker for Camelot Schools, a Philadelphia school program that helps kids ages 16 to 21 who have behavioral and emotional issues, I can only commend the move. You can dislike the messenger and still respect the message.
“These students may have made a mistake along the way, but they turned it around,” Vick said in a statement. “They did the right thing and finished school. I am honored to be speaking at their commencement.”
The commencement will be held in June at the Verizon Center and will honor students from five schools.
According to Tim McManus of Philadelphia Sports Daily, faculty surveyed their classes to find out who they wanted to speak at their graduation, and three names came back: Mayor Michael Nutter, School District of Philadelphia Superintendent Dr. Arlene Ackerman, and Vick, with Vick getting the slight edge.
“Based on Vick’s recent story of making a mistake, hitting rock bottom and having the courage to pick himself back up and work through difficult period of life, that was something we felt was very relevant to the student population and their story,” said Milton Alexander, Vice President of Operations at Camelot. “It will be something they will remember for the rest of their lives.”
Don’t like ads? Become a supporter and enjoy The Good Men Project ad freeThere is a significant difference, of course, in the life path of Mayor Nutter and Dr. Ackerman compared to Vick; Alexander was asked if there was any hesitation in selecting a former felon to address their group of 16- to 21-year-olds over the other two public figures.
“There was not a whole lot of debate on our end,” said Alexander. “One thing that we are constantly addressing with our students is if you make a mistake, if you make a bad decision, there is accountability involved, and just because this is your reality now it doesn’t have to be your reality forever.
“Vick’s story is very relevant to their situation.”
Even a dog-loving New York Giants fan can recognize the truth of that.
(Photo: Deadspin)
Michael Vick will be written into the history books as the most notorious “inter-species sadist” in modern history. Mental health professionals can tell you that he is not capable of remorse NOR can he be rehabilitated. Although the “opportunity” to torture and maim animals has been “temporarily” suppressed or removed, HE WILL ALWAYS ENJOY THIS ACTIVITY. Whoever came up with the idea to let this monster speak to young people has to be either ignorant, racist, or making money from it. You can ONLY support an animal torturer if you are one of the above. Michael Vick is a disgusting… Read more »