..........so, what's the deal?

As usual, I listened to the Bob and Sherri Show on my way into school this morning. One of the topics for discussion today was Michael Vick. The former NFL quaterback is now serving a 23 month sentence for hosting a dog fighting ring at his Virginia home. With good behavior, he could be released by July, 2009. This release date is pending an additional sentence on state charges from Virginia. I expect those charges to be a suspended sentence of sorts, but who knows. Anyway, both Bob and Sherri (rabid left-wing nut jobs) were talking about how he [Vick] should never be allowed to play professional football ever again. The former coach of the Atlanta Falcons has publically stated that he will not be returning to their club. My question is this; "why not?" The guy serves his time and pays his debt to society. Why not allow him to return to the NFL? Am I to believe that the NFL only employs good citizens to play for them? Listen, there are a great many more thugs out there playing professional sports that have done and still do worse things than hosting a dog fighting ring. It's almost a weekly thing that we hear about some professional athlete abusing his wife or being arrested for drugs. As a collective whole, professional athletes are not the role models they are portrayed as being, and I don't really think it's their falt. The athletes are a product of the American consumer, who thrives on controversy and always being on the edge of acceptable behavior. Granted, many professional athletes do use their fame and fortune to help others. I don't want to belittle that. There are some great family-oriented individuals in professional sports who do set a positive example. The late Reggie White is one that comes to mind. I sure wish we could hear more about their efforts, and less of the failures in character. Recently, I saw a spot on a professional basketball player (I can't remember his name) from Africa who, by using his own money and funds from his professional athlete friends, builds multi million dollar hospitals in Africa. Who knows? Michael Vick may come out of this mess as a very positive role model for others. I sure think he should return to the game. Let's save the banishment from society for those who choose to drive drunk, murder, produce and sell drugs, abuse children, and steal from the elderly.