PETA criticizes Eagles for Vick award
Michael Vick has been named the Eagles' Ed Block Courage Award recipient for this season in a vote of his teammates. The award honors NFL players who exemplify commitment to sportsmanship and courage. They are selected by their teammates for team effort and individual performance.
PETA criticizes Eagles for Vick award
Daily News staff
Michael Vick has been named the Eagles' Ed Block Courage Award recipient for this season in a vote of his teammates. The award honors NFL players who exemplify commitment to sportsmanship and courage. They are selected by their teammates for team effort and individual performance.
The selection drew immediate criticism in some quarters.
In a statement, PETA said, "The Philadelphia Eagles fumbled when they gave Michael Vick the Ed Block Courage Award, which was named after a man who advocated in behalf of abused children. Michael Vick should not be the person anyone points to as a model of sportsmanship, even though he has now exchanged dogs for touchdowns after serving time for extreme cruelty to animals. We wish him well in educating others, but this is not appropriate and does not mark a joyous moment in NFL history."Vick has played in 12 games, completing six of 13 passes for 86 yards and a touchdown. He has also rushed 24 times for 95 yards and two touchdowns. All three of his touchdowns have come in the last three games.
Coach Andy Reid said Vick was a "unanimous vote" and that he is not sure anyone can understand the situation or the vote who has not been with Vick through his struggles. The award is "for working to straighten his life and better himself as a human being," Reid said. Vick is "obviously well-respected by his teammates."
"I've had to overcome a lot, more than probably one single individual can bear," Vick said. "Take a look at what I've been through. You ask certain people to walk in my shoes, they probably couldn't do it -- probably 95 percent of the people in this world. Because nobody had to endure what I've been through, situations I've been put in, situations I've placed myself in, decisions that I've made, whether they were good or bad. There are always consequences behind certain things and there are repercussions behind them, too. Then you have to wake up every day and face the world, whether they perceive you in the right perspective or it's a totally different outlook on you.
"You just have to be strong and believe in yourself and be optimistic. That's what I've been able to do and that's what I display."
Vick returned to the NFL with the Eagles after missing nearly two years of playing time and serving 18 months in prison for his role in a dogfighting ring in Virginia.
"It means a lot to me. It means a lot to my family," Vick said of the award. "It means a lot to me because of everything I've been through and what I've come back and been able to do. Just having the chance to be back and playing again is a blessing."
"I've only been in this locker room for 3 1/2 months. For those guys to feel that way about me, it means a lot to me. The bond that I have with the players on this team and the way we've jelled has been outstanding. Like I've said before, I couldn't have been with a greater group of guys. This is a group that's special and I see why this is one of the top organizations in this league."
Previous Eagles award winners: Jon Dorenbos (2008), Montae Reagor (2007), Jerome McDougle (2006), Chad Lewis (2005), Derrick Burgess (2004), Correll Buckhalter (2003), Shawn Barber (2002), Duce Staley and Tommy Brasher (2001), Cecil Martin (2000), Mike Mamula (1999), Bobby Taylor (1998), Rhett Hall (1997), Kevin Turner (1996), Charlie Garner (1995), Fred Barnett (1994), Andre Waters (1993), Jerome Brown (1992), David Alexander (1991), Ron Solt (1990), Mike Quick (1989), Wes Hopkins (1988), Gerry Feehery (1987), Jody Schultz (1986), Ron Jaworski (1985), John Spagnola (1984).
Vick, along with one player from each of the other 31 NFL teams, will be honored at the Ed Block Courage Award Banquet on March 9 in Baltimore.
On the field, Vick will not practice today with the quad contusion suffered against San Francisco.
PETA- Pests-Evolved inTo-A**clowns— Will.i.Am
Comment removed.- contgrats mike.......i don't see why peta has ti say anything,if his teammates voted for him,what business is it to this organization?has nothing to do with any animals.back off here,cause its not any concern of u all.haters too back down.i really hope the eagles pick up his option next season.whatever happens,good luck and contrats micheal,your TEAMMATES voted ,so be it............GO E-A-G-L-E-S.....oh...by he way lets welcome home B-DAWK....man we miss u here man.......— t_darb_56
- Comment removed.
- mk1956 & other nutjobs- but mk1956..your comment suggested Vicks courage award was for killing defenseless animals..pretttyyyy sure it was for his turn-around. Now leading a better life and career. Speaking to young ones about what he did and how wrong it was to prevent the next generation from making the same horrible mistakes. PETA is a joke ! Also philly10 needs a new keyboard, that caps buttons stuck or somthin', and the rest of ya trashing Vick, guess what? He's turned himself around and you, nor peta are gonna do a da*n thing about it. The man is playin good football for our team. Also has payed his dues, people that kill other PEOPLE, get lesser time. So, SHUT IT !— Will.i.Am
- How do I sign up to punch a PETA rep in the face...I'm growing tired of their lame attention seeking whining and protests.....I EAT BEEF, TURKEY AND FISH....I will also shoot any animal, skin it then eat it if need be. I value humans first; animals second........get real and go save Mars.....— RoastedBird
- Trooper.....go catch some real criminals and tell all of your kindered spirts (those incable of forgiving" to F off!!! We real Philly get tired of the hatred you and your bros spew...HE KILLED FIGHTING DOGS, WENT TO FED PRISON...was he supposed to be sentenced to LIFE; I'm sure you and your type would like to think so...He got his now LET IT GO!!!!— RoastedBird
Can’t say that I have the insight to disagree with this award because for all I know, everything the Eagles are saying about Vick is true- That he has redeemed his life and is keeping the promises that he made…One thing I will strongly disagree with is Michael Vick determining that “95 percent” of the people in this world could not walk in his shoes. People overcoming their demons and becoming a productive a member of society is nothing new in this world. While they should be commended for bettering themselves, I find it ridiculous that they would compare overcoming their sins to other peoples’ hardships…In my opinion, true heroes are people who battle the real travesties of this world…Congratulations on the award Vick, but try walking in the shoes of the women & children in this world who are victims of human trafficking, (for starters), before you compare “what you have been through” to 95 % of the people in this world…As far as PETA goes, well I’m vegan, but I strongly disagree with their tactics. Anger will never defeat anger.- THUG; YOUR US Government are the biggest THUGS...go to DC, stand in front of the Capitol and protest YOUR THUG COUNTRY invading foreign homes, villages and lives all because we are SCARED of brown people having any GLOBAL POWER....THAT my friends is the definition of a THUG; Pop Quiz: Name the ONLY nation to drop an Atomic Bomb on another group of people...THUG USA...keep it 100— RoastedBird
- "I've had to overcome a lot, more than probably one single individual can bear," Vick said. "Take a look at what I've been through. You ask certain people to walk in my shoes, they probably couldn't do it -- probably 95 percent of the people in this world. The only problem I have is that Vick sounds like he's patting himself on the back a little too much with his speech. Instead of just feeling honored and grateful he's acting like he deserves this. Whenever someone wins an award they should never act like they deserved it or had it coming to them. Just say thank you and be grateful. As far as PETA goes, just go the hell away already. I cant stand Vick for what he did to those dogs. I think he is a sick disgusting person that isnt sorry for what he did he's sorry that he got caught, but PETA is annoying. We get it. You dont like him you did your protests when he started playing, blah blah blah. Just go away. You guys arent a part of the Eagles organization, you dont own Vick, what the Eagles do is really none of your damn business.— philliekev04
- Vick is a terd.— UncleEddie
- PETA has no place in giving an opinion. This is voted on by players. If PETA wants a say, have a few members make the team and vote.— mwilgus
Congrats Mike Vick...PETA...Go Jump off a Cliff.— citysims- Comment removed.
- lol jay johnstone. I know, right? I wanna committ a crime too and blame it on my culture. Is being stupid part of his culture too? Is not knowing simple right from wrong part of his culture? All you black people out there maybe you can help me out. Is all that part of your culture? I dont think it is but maybe i didnt get the memo on that one. I didnt know hanging and electrocuting dogs was part of being black in the south. Maybe thats what makes a person gangsta down there. Fo sho!— philliekev04
