Roger Goodell

When we thought the NFL had just seen the sternest and intolerant commissioner who constituted the powerful player conduct policy in ages to get rid of despicable behavior, it’s now apparent that he’s not the strictest or law enforcer who sets all the rules.

Lately, Michael Vick sets the laws, as NFL commissioner Roger Goodell allows any principles to pass legalization.

Well, the conduct policy was developed to establish peace on earth, kindness among peers, and most importantly keep players from committing foolish transgressions. By now, we have heard of Vick’s hideous dogfighting scandal that left behind marks and sabotaged his reputation.

Because of the gruesome crimes, citizens perceive him as a murderer who cowardly killed dogs and sadly lost everything that was offered. But now, Goodell is willing to give back his possesses and emancipation to play in the NFL next season.

Some believe Vick has paid debts to society, as well as Goodell. On Monday afternoon, he ventured and was portrayed as a confounded daredevil by conditionally reinstating Vick. Judging that the commissioner didn’t forget too quickly, Vick senselessly and brutally tortured dogs by beating them, drowning them, electrocuting them, and hanging them.

It was a disturbing situation that a blind man could take into liability, and refuse an ill-player in attempt of erasing a mortal description. Truth is, it will be hard for Vick to rehabilitate a ruptured legacy, and earn back the description as a positive role model on children.

Much of that trust is gone, after lying to Goodell and Atlanta’s owner Arthur Blank, denying that he had ever killed impeccable creatures.

After Vick lied directly to Goodell of his involvement in a dogfighting ring, it should have taken some deliberating before rushing back the preeminent trademark of the NFL a few years ago.

Perhaps, that was before we found out about his disturbing secret of cruelly fighting dogs, which somberly shocked an entire society. A downcast town turned dole as misery embedded unhappiness in Atlanta.

For some time, fans hearts were shattered, children cried and Atlanta as a community was, well, just stunned to hear the disgraceful news of their quarterback diverging into a fallen star.

That was good enough to declare Vick as the biggest disappointment in all of sports, especially learning that he had a thrill killing animals. With all of this occurring, Goodell has failed to take it into examination.

He allowed the most horrible dog killer of all-time to return, confident that he can recompense by inspiring fans and exhilarating the league. If we just take a few moments to understand that the NFL is full of talented stars, then Vick should be the last player you are interested in accepting back so quickly.

From our understanding, Goodell isn’t desperate of beautifying the game for top-notch marketing among sports. Maybe he just believes Vick is regretful and deserves a second chance.

Personally, I dare say, he doesn’t deserve a second chance. For most people, he’s committed a devilish crime, which shouldn’t ever allow him the privilege of playing another season. For some people, and since it’s a forgiven country, they feel a second chance is the only way he can prove to society he’s merciful.

Of course, this is what Goodell was paying attention to, not his abhorrent scandal. There are even the harsh and bitter populaces who will always disagree with Goodell’s decision. There are some rationalizing that he should have waited until next season, or had not even reinstated Vick.

A prepared statement by Goodell, symbolized remorse and reverence. But it also presented a different side of Goodell. Beyond granting Vick with a positive pledge, it can provoke problems in the long run. Let’s assume PETA protesters will heckle not only Vick, but whichever team decides to sign him.

All teams interested in Vick must realize there are disgruntled animal lovers who will harass and annoy training camp facilities and stadiums. That’s a huge burden for any team to face in the long run, and even it can affect Goodell’s reputation.

Welcoming back Vick, installs a renaissance that will never measure up to the early part of the decade in which he brought thrills to the game.

He electrified us, able to outran and explode through a defense with his unstoppable speed and muscular strength to stay on his quick feet. He was very mobile and poised enough as everyone embraced.

But suddenly, he turned into a dogfighting criminal that immediately perturbed our senses and how we felt about Vick. Sure, Goodell is willing to give him an opportunity, but are the masses willing to accept him back?

Absolutely!

Players are forgiven if they are able to win, produce and more importantly, hijack our minds by captivating devoted fans. Having those ingredients can make the masses forget about the dogfighting scandal, as Vick’s credibility might rejuvenate, particularly if he can revamp a town of grievance.

But there will always be critics who will downgrade the all-time rushing quarterback, disputing against Goodell on allowing the quarterback a chance to repent from the horrific stain that remains within the hearts of dispirited people who are bitter about animal cruelty.

Vick’s presence can muster controversy and animosity, blaming Goodell for ignoring a crime that wasn’t a minor crime. Perhaps it was the most ghastly crime committed by a NFL superstar. Just to remind those who forgot instantly, Vick barely was released from federal custody for his disturbing behavior that forced him to pay consequences.

Sinfully, Vick’s freedom was deprived 23-months, serving 18 months in prison and spent the final two in home confinement. Those are perfect examples that the commissioner didn’t act on the protocol accordingly or pondered enough.

Rather than evaluating his status more thoroughly and taking all counts into accountability, Goodell trust he has changed. Yet, he ignores all the transgressions, along with the hecklers from PETA, which all can unhinge distractions and problems entering next season.

Goodell suggests that a federal conviction and prison sentence was a good enough punishment, including a four game suspension by the league for which Vick is likely to make a return in Week Four.

For a player who faced much disadvantages by losing money and serving time in prison, Vick is grateful to return to the league, thanking Goodell for giving him another chance. Since stepping in as commissioner, Goodell failed to punish him harshly, sympathetic of his livelihood, rather than his sanctions.

For once, he failed to take stricter measures, regarding Vick’s crime.

Knowing that he has done the time and paid the crime, I cannot get over the infractions and will not buy into Vick’s rebirth.

Josh Dhani

Josh has been writing since January 2009 and founded FootBasket in April 2009. He also owns the websites, Hardcourt Mayhem and Gridiron Mayhem. For a full bio, check out JoshDhani.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoshDhani

     

Anyone can deny the truth, warming to a quarterback who absorbed national attention. At one point, we all idolized Michael Vick, as children styled No. 7 jerseys and imitated his explosive athleticism—as he eluded pressure and scrambled into the end zone.

Of course, those were the days when Vick was as clean as his stylish cleats. Now allegations and federal charges distort the way people perceive him. Viewing him as a disturbed individual, rather than an athlete.

Rather than cementing himself as one of the best rushing quarterback of all-time. He killed innocent creatures in a myriad of despicable ways; slamming them to the ground, shooting them with a pistol, electrocuting them, drowning them, even tying some to cords and hanging them from trees—leaving them to die of suffocation.

Gazing at Vick on Sundays, he was the premier and most potent quarterback of this era, if not all-time. But once the revelations surfaced his status diminished rapidly. He was belittled, insulted and heckled by PETA protesters and the general populous.

Now, the law enforcer and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will have to make a decision, based on Vick’s remorse, as to whether he should be allowed to play in the league again.

Already, many are convinced he has paid his debt to society.

If he is given another chance to showcase his talent, lingering questions will remain. He will never be the same superstar again. The question remains: How long it will take Vick to overcome rust and redevelop into an elite rusher and a dangerous threat?

Before we find out if he is still as dominant and hallowed, he must present a positive image, responding to Goodell as a sincere citizen and give a clear explanation as to why he deserves another shot.

Clearly, Vick knows if he’s not honest and apologetic, his NFL career would be over.

But there are other options open to Vick. The UFL, a new football league, is willing to give him a chance to erase those ghastly memories. The UFL wouldn’t care as much about Vick misgivings because he would be a big lure, potentially attracting a large fan base to its product.

This is last thing on Vick’s mind. Clearly, he wants to return to the NFL, but he could decide to rebuild his image in the UFL before returning to the NFL.

Regardless, Vick has shattered a dream of developing into the greatest quarterback of all-time. At one point Vick rushed for more than 1,000 yards, captivating fans in the process. Vick was the star and the symbol of the future.

Now he is in debt, making $9 per hour at the Boys and Girls Club in Virginia while paying back his debt to society.

Today, he is emancipated from the isolated cells. Many felt serving time for the crime was a significant punishment. But there are still many who believe Vick doesn’t deserve a second chance.

Demonstrations from PETA are almost inevitable. If Vick returns to the league, not only will they harass a much-matured Vick, but they’ll also attack Goodell. Earlier in the year, members of PETA sent a letter to the commissioner, pleading with him to not reinstate Vick.

Considering that training camps are ready to resume, Vick will have to join a team quickly to learn the playbook and get back into shape in time for the season. But the commissioner and stern judge of the NFL has the final word on if he can return next fall.

Either way, it will cause controversy.

And here’s why: First and foremost, there are many dog owners and people who love animals. Secondly, many are upset with Vick for espousing a bad example when he was idolised by children. And thirdly, the people of PETA will harass and criticize Goodell.

Reinstating Vick would harm Goodell’s reputation among players and people in general. As strict as he is with the rigorous conduct policy he established, Goodell should measure Vick’s status carefully before granting him a chance to return to the game.

Even if he proves he is a changed man, Goodell must not deny the truth and understand that Vick’s charges were worse than animal cruelty.

Would it appease Vick or boost attendance at venues? Probably not, as football has developed over the years. People here are football crazy. We embrace the game, respect the game, and wait anxiously each year for the Super Bowl.

This year has been devastating for the NFL, we have seen death and DUI’s and other troubles cast a dark shadow. For a start, the commissioner has punished players who violated the conduct policy. Recently, Steve McNair was found dead with two gunshot wounds in the chest, and one in the head. Police in Nashville classified his death as a murder-suicide, when a pistol was found lying next to his girlfriend.

Goodell took stricter accountability on Donte’ Stallworth than the justice system in Florida. By enforcing the law, he suspended the Cleveland Browns wideout indefinitely, refusing to dismiss punishing Stallworth for foolish behavior.

The NFL is now looking to move forward, removing disturbing conduct and portraying next season as a positive one. Of course, if the commissioner reinstates Vick, negativity will prevail in the league that has already endured much turmoil this year.

Vick will just add to a tumultuous year that has had Goodell’s head spinning, stressed and flustered in perturbed times.

As I mentioned in my column a few days ago, Goodell must be smart and say no to Vick.

Josh Dhani

Josh has been writing since January 2009 and founded FootBasket in April 2009. He also owns the websites, Hardcourt Mayhem and Gridiron Mayhem. For a full bio, check out JoshDhani.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoshDhani