Michael Vick To Be Honored As ‘Hero’ In Virginia

30
by Ali Berman February 27, 2011
Categories: Animals, Sports
Tags: , .

Dog killer. Evil. Cruel. Sadistic. Heck of a QB.

Those are all words or phrases I’ve heard people use to describe Michael Vick. But how about the descriptors “inspirational” and “hero.” Those are the words being used by the Southeastern Virginia Arts Association, a group that will be honoring Vick for his good work at their first annual gala.

In their press release they say that Vick “has epitomized the meaning of “hero,” not only by his unparalleled accomplishments on the gridiron, but more importantly, by his relentless resilience in overcoming the obstacles he has faced in his career.”

It’s not like he’s Lance Armstrong who overcame cancer, started a charity fundraising empire and then went on to win multiple more races. He’s a man who enjoyed watching dogs rip each other’s throats out while he laughed with his friends. He then went to prison for his illegal activities, got out and snagged a multi-million dollar contract. Not exactly the stuff heroes are made from.

Some argue that his continued work with HSUS is enough to right his wrongs. That’s certainly the point of view that Michael Muhammad, chairman of the Arts Association, is taking. He said, “Since he was released from federal custody, Michael has been more than an example of how to redirect your life after troubled times.”

While his work with youth in collaboration with HSUS is admirable, the word “hero” is certainly a controversial one to use about the man.

Via News Channel 3

About Ali Berman

Ali Berman is a writer, teacher and activist. She works as a humane educator for HEART teaching kids about issues affecting people, animals and the environment. Ali is also a fiction writer. Her published work can be found on her website at aliberman.com. In early 2012 Ali co-founded flipmeover, a production company with the mission to use media to raise awareness of social issues.

View all posts by Ali Berman →
  • Karina

    Really?! This garbage is being called a hero? Since when is being a waste of life considered a hero?

    • Nancy

      Excuse me why I thow up. The only thing he’s ever done is make $$$$ off playing football AND ABUSING, TORTURING, SADISTIC KILLING AT HIS OWN HANDS amd “ENJOYING” watch dogs shred each other to DEATH. He’s a CONVICTED FELON, STILL ON PROBATION for VIOLENT crimes. By all means, honor the pos. Next maybe he’ll run for president or being the new CEO of the HSUS…………

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jodi-Sinclair/1575887570 Jodi Sinclair

    that is unbelievable…that thug is only working with the HSUS because he was court ordered to do so, he’s not sorry for the horrific crimes against those beautiful dogs…

    • Ltbadd

      @Jodi >> he’s not sorry for the horrific crimes against those beautiful dogs…<< and you know this how? Have you worked with him on this issue, counseled him? I didn't think so

      • RachelR

        For the record, he’s not once publicly apologized for the actual crime, just for “making bad decisions” and “letting everyone down”.The closest he comes to actually apologizing for his cruelty is saying “Dogfighting is a terrible thing, and I did reject it.”. Maybe he is really sorry, or maybe he’s just sorry he got caught and has a social mark on him now, either way he hasn’t shown any real remorse for the actual acts.

      • http://www.facebook.com/people/Deb-Sanford--End-Bsl/576642730 Deb Sanford- End Bsl

        @Ltbadd,He has never once stated in any interview I’ve watched that he is sorry for what he did to the dogs. Because he was not convicted of animal cruelty (those charges were dropped in a plea deal) he has been advised by his PR team not to speak about it. He was only convicted of conspiracy. Every interview he’s done is all about HIM and how it wrecked HIS life and how HE lost everything. Jodi is absolutely correct, he is only working with HSUS because he was ordered too and they offered to help get him back into football. Watch the interviews,read the original police reports, you don’t need to “council” him. He is not someone I would like my children to look up to. He’s NOT a hero.

  • LittleMe

    They really ought to look up the word ‘hero’ in a dictionary. Getting kicks from torturing animals isn’t exactly something to admire. I wonder if they’d think him equally as worthy of such a title if he’d abused children or beat up a few elderly people in the past. Volunteering at a nursing home or giving a large donation to Barndardo’s wouldn’t make up for that, would it?

  • BanTheFurTrade

    Sickening. Just sickening. That’s all I can say about this. Hopefully some protesters will show up at the ceremony.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Bonnie-Thompson-Jensen/100000186801633 Bonnie Thompson Jensen

    This is just unreal to me for anyone to call him a hero! And he has sucked up so much with CEO Wayne Pacelle of The Humane Society of The United States, and do you know why?? Because the Eagles, Vicks football team has donated 50,000 dollars to the H$U$, just a buy off to get good P.R.he hasn’t done anything on his own!!

  • http://www.herwinsvegancafe.com herwin

    if he is a real hero he should have faced his surviving dog victims at the Oprah show.

  • Gene Armir

    What planet am I on? Who funds this organization the Eagles? The man is only a talented football player and a terrible human!!

    Your setting such a poor example for all black men and the rest of humanity. Find a hero like a black soldier who lost his limbs but worked thru the adversity and went to law school!

    If this is the best your organization can come up with Holy Shit. Why not find a black crack dealer who started at an early age only being able to sell marihuana? I would accept that over Vick.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Lucy-Hayreh/728779051 Lucy Hayreh

    What in the hell????
    He is an evil sadistic bastard who is trying to get a career back for money purposes only by trying to appear to be a good person. It doesn’t wash Vick, you are and always will be scum.
    Anyone who wants to call this asshole a hero should go back and look at the pictures of those dogs he tortured. Anyone who can do that has a dead black heart, and that doesn’t change, no matter what the PR idiots try to sell us.

  • Fern

    Hero!?!? Really??? since when is someone who harms, tortures and kills for money and pleasure a hero?

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Tracy-Lynn-Wilson/1091510853 Tracy Lynn Wilson

    They are an African American Organization. Just sayin’. How sad.

  • Sue

    Hero? Overcoming obstacles? More like got off easy and got way better than he deserved after horrifically torturing and killing animals with his bare hands! Is this group really holding him up as a bright and shining example for their children and the rest of their community? That’s a sad commentary on all fronts!

  • Ellen Garrison

    the world is messed up! and money talks and you know what walks.

  • Charles

    I certainly understand how easy it is to stay angry about Vicks dog killing past. But isn’t it better to encourage people with a criminal past to do better? Maybe this won’t do that and I certainly agree “hero” is a giant stretch but he could have pulled a Mike Tyson and continued to self destruct taking lots of people down with him. It appears he is trying to make amends so why not back off the attack position a little. Doesn’t mean you have to agree he’s no ones hero.

  • Silvia Logez

    I’m from France, and I can’t believe this! It’s a shame!
    Also for everybody woh fights again the dogsfighting.
    I will prayer, that they don’t given him the medaille!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Irene-Johnson/884720471 Irene Johnson

    This is an obvious attempt by his lawyer Mondue to carry on the “redemption of Micheal Vick rubbish” they keep spewing out. What this article doesnt tell you is that the former board members of SEVAA have catagorically stated that the organisation which ran for 25 years was dissolved in Sept 2010 and Micheal Vicks crony lawyer paid the money to open it again under his leadership. The old board members have sent emils out saying that this action has brought disgrace on what SEVAA stood for for 25 years. Methinks I smell a rat!

  • Elizabear

    From where I stand (in New Zealand) heroes are those incredibly brave rescue workers who have been working tirelessly to rescue people and animals from the ruins that is Christchurch. Not people who abuse animals.

  • Shelley larkin

    He laughed while he watched household pets being ripped apart, he laughed while he drowned, hung, beat, electrocuted, and tortured dogs “hero” pray the bastard never breeds he is a full blown pyschopath if he hadn’t got caught he’d still be laughing. This guys should be killed by vicious dogs

    • http://www.scumbag-michael-vick.com/ Vick

      I completely agree!

  • linda

    1 THING….KARMA WORKS A MILLIONFOLD!!! HEY MICHAEL..LOOK OUT IT`S COMING 4 U!! UR INNOCENT DOGS HAD NO CHANCE.. Y THE F*** SHOULD U…RESUME UR LIFE,CAREER GET PAID TOO MUCH TO CHASE A BALL LOL IT`S A SICKENING JOKE….I KNOW MANY HEROES…GUESS WHAT..UR NOT 1 OF THEM…I RESCUE & REHABILITATE ANIMALS, ALL ANIMALS..I`M ON BONE MARROW DONOR LIST WAITING,HOPING TO SAVE A LIFE…IM MORE OF HERO THAN YOU`L EVER BE..JUST WISH I COULD BE THERE WHEN THE UNIVERSE GIVES BACK WHAT YOU`VE GIVEN ..I`D BE LOOKING OVA MY SHOULDER IF I WERE YOU…SAD..NOBODY HAS TO WISH IT ON U..U CREATED IT..DEAL WITH IT.. NOT IF..BUT,WHEN IT COMES AROUND

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jeanenne-Hoglund-Borden/1361719105 Jeanenne Hoglund Borden

    As a pitbull owner this is a disgrace. My dogs are like my children and for someone like him to be said to be a HERO is totally unacceptable. If I were to treat my animals like he did I would still be in jail but then again I am unknown and poor. Please do not honor this man. He is a terrible example for children. They do not need to be taught that if you are famous and have money you can get away with anything. And I am sorry but his sentence does not count as punishment. It was a joke.

  • http://traveleatlove.com Meghan@travelwinedine

    If a remorseless sociopath is a hero. If a ghetto thug who took delight in mutilating, hanging, drowning, electrocuting, ripping the teeth out of animals is a hero. If someone who only is where he is because he got caught doing a crime is a hero. . .
    Wow, pathetic organization if they couldn’t find anyone else. And to compare him to a cancer survivor? A slap to all cancer survivors everywhere.

  • MMMM553

    Guess the Southeastern VA Arts Association has REALLY low standards. They should be ashamed.

  • http://traveleatlove.com Meghan@travelwinedine

    Ooops, my other comment was incorrect. I emotionally misread the article the first time, thinking someone was comparing him to a cancer survivor. Still the Southeast VA Arts Association should be sent dozens of photos of the mangled and bloodied dogs. They can use them to decorate their hero ceremony.

  • http://www.scumbag-michael-vick.com/ Vick

    No one should ever call this man a hero!

  • BC

    This is beyond offensive. Big difference here. Jesus Christ was innocent. He did not do sadistic things to dogs and kill them with his own hands.

  • http://www.acsportsbooks.com/ AC

    This makes me sick. Vick is no hero.

b-mnn
« PREVIOUS POST
NEXT POST »