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Michael Vick's "redemption" tour begins

Disgraced ex-NFL star Michael Vick has embarked on his controversial community service mission with the Humane Society of the United States to deliver the message to inner city children that dog-fighting is cruel.

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Michael Vick's "redemption" tour begins

POSTED: Wednesday, August 12, 2009, 7:57 PM

Amy Worden, Inquirer Staff Writer

Disgraced ex-NFL star Michael Vick has embarked on his controversial community service project with the Humane Society of the United States. His mission? To deliver the message to inner city children that dog-fighting is cruel.

Last weekend Vick made his first brief appearance at a private forum for at-risk youths in Atlanta. Today he appeared with HSUS president Wayne Pacelle in a troubled neighborhood in Chicago.

Says Pacelle: We spoke with dozens of young people, and Michael shared his story, expressed remorse for his actions, urged the community to stand up to dogfighting, and asked them to help with the campaign.

I was heartened to see these kids sitting on the edge of their seats as they listened to speakers convey that dogfighting is wrong. This practice is inhumane, and it is a dead end street for anyone who takes it up as a hobby or livelihood. Our program already deploys former dogfighters, and they have demonstrated a special ability to relate to at-risk kids and steer them in our direction. We also have dog experts in the program who work with the young men and their dogs and show them that there are alternatives to fighting, such as behavior work and agility training.

Pacelle said Vick asked to get involved with HSUS anti-dog fighting effort to make amends for the brutal dogfighting operation he ran that led to his 23-month federal prison sentence.

Meanwhile, Vick returns to primetime with a no-holes barred interview Sunday on CBS News's "60 Minutes." Baltimore Sun television critic David Zurawik raises a number of questions about the interview in his blog, from the selection of James Brown, who's never before reported for 60 Minutes, as the interviewer, to the national exposure for Vick and the boost to the NFL which has a contract with CBS to televise games.

Zurawick asks:

To what extent will "60 Minutes" include the gruesome and horrific nature of Vick's crimes in its piece Sunday night? Will "60 Minutes" think "balance" simply means having a spokesperson from the Humane Society of the United States on as a talking head?

I have no doubt as pro football fever starts to build that "60 Minutes" will have a huge audience. I hope many media critics will be in that audience with me trying to assess what price 60 Minutes did or didn't pay in credibility to get it.

2 comments

Comments (2)

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 9:36 PM, 08/13/2009

I'm done with Pro football. The college game is 100 times better anyway.

— Leron

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 12:48 AM, 08/16/2009

The Humane Society of the United States bears the real shame in facilitating Vick's re-branding of his image. CBS is just along for the ride in a media blitz that's just begun- that's my hunch. How lucky are we? Vick is going to right next to Camden, NJ, where he can "help" more inner-city youth and their dogs. He should give 1/2 his salary to start up a foundation - and only then will he even has the start of paying off his debt.

— Gail Reilly

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About this blog

Amy Worden is a politics and government reporter for the Inquirer. In that capacity she has explored a range of animal issues from dog kennel law improvements and horse slaughter to the comeback of peregrine falcons and pigeon hunts. From hamsters to horses, animals have always been part of her life. To pass along a tip or contact Amy, click here. Reach Amy at aworden@phillynews.com.