Vick tells students: "What I did was inhumane"
In what were his strongest words yet about his years as an animal abuser, Michael Vick reflects with students in New Haven, Conn., about the day God told him "what he was doing was wrong."
Vick tells students: "What I did was inhumane"
Amy Worden, Inquirer Staff Writer
In what were his strongest words yet about his years as an animal abuser, Michael Vick reflects with students in New Haven, Conn., about the day God told him "what he was doing was wrong."
Here's the report from the Daily News:
NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Michael Vick looked out at the assembled high school students, some of whom were football players, many of whom come from a background similar to his, and he asked them to calm down.
Every mention of his football career brought cheers. He didn’t come to talk about football.
“I want to tell the truth,” the Eagles quarterback said today, “because these kids deserve the truth. I don’t hold back, because when you hold back, that’s when you have slip-ups . . . I want to bear down on the message.”
Vick’s off-day began with a 5 a.m. wake-up and a 6 a.m train up the Northeast Corridor. He spoke at two high schools in New Haven, the kind of urban area where it is feared “street dogfighting” has grown in scope.
“Don’t let your environment shape and mold you,” Vick told the students at Wilbur Cross High. “Go out and be the best ambassadors to your community that you can be.”
Vick was introduced by Wayne Pacelle, chief executive officer of the Humane Society of the United States. They have become partners in trying to right the wrong of animal fighting. As Vick was nearing the end of his time in federal prison, he contacted Pacelle and offered his time.
“And in the year-and-a-half I’ve known Mike, he has never turned me down once,” Pacelle said.
Vick told students of his experiences with dogfighting, of falling in love with the pit bulls that men would walk past the barber shop in his hometown, of falling into the underground world of dogfighting and landing, ultimately, in prison.
“I heard God say to me, ‘It’s wrong, what you’re doing to these dogs, and I’m going to punish you for it’ ” Vick told the students. “Four days later, I was indicted.”
Students asked about getting his fame back and rehabilitating his image. Vick said he has been “scrutinized and ridiculed” and “I deserved every word of it.”
Vick’s talks to schools and youth groups around the country have generally been unpublicized, but the Humane Society let it be known he would be in New Haven, Pacelle’s hometown, and made him available to local and national media. Vick’s return to the NFL stardom with the Eagles can only help to amplify the message.
“I know that there are people who will never forgive me,” Vick said, “and I understand that. What I did was inhumane. I can’t change people’s minds, I can’t change that — if I could, I would. All I can do is what I am doing, to try to help more animals than I hurt, to try to be part of the solution instead of part of the problem.”
What he really said was, "You don't need to do this if you are rich."
"Inhumane". Please, he can't even spell it, let alone understand what it means.— CiceroSpuriousDeodatus- Wow. You guys are idiots! I actually feel sorry for you. Enjoy your turkey...— SecondToNone
- I've been a big critic of Vick and the Eagles choice to sign him. However, if he decides to use his fame to help end the cruel treatment of dogs, he will win me over.— NO1PHILZPHAN
- Vick has never turned this guy down in 1 and a half years? That's impressive. Fact is this bulljive still goes on with or without Vick.. so if you want to be critical what have you done for the cause lately? This will have to do for now then.....— HighDrama
Comment removed.- I am a man of color and I do not think that Cicero's comment was racist...it had a tinge of holier than thou thinking but I do understand crime and forgiveness of crime in America depends on the perpetrator and who they are. There are many reasons for that but most people do not want to downgrade those that look like themselves. I hear and see it all the time.....It's really simple though because right is right and wrong is wrong. Mike Vick was wrong and I believe he is making amends if only by use of his celebrity for a cause. Many people hold him to a higher standard though and that is wrong.
— BCRock 
I think Vick has less free time during the season than most of us. Hate him for what he did, but you have to respect him for what he is doing off the field. It would be easy for him to say no given his current success. I have to get ready for the Chicago Defense, my knee is dinged up, etc... instead he takes the opportunity and does the best he can with it.— willbert31- "ExcrementObsessedConservative"- really? Racist? Reaching a little bit there, aren't we? Vick does a great job on the field, but what he did is unforgivable in my eyes and I do quite a bit to help stamp out dog fighting. Stop making excuses for the guy and turn everything that involves putting down a black person into a racist thing. What he did was sick and there's no way around it. You know he'd still be doing it today if he hadn't been caught.— ecmadden
- There is absolutely no reason for anyone to forgive this man if they don't want to do so. You may those of us who chose not to forgive, 'haters,' that is your right. Bottom line is, What he did disgusts me to no end. He exhibits sociopathic tendencies and I don't believe he would have stopped unless he was caught. He is sorry he got caught, not for what he did. He knew all along it was wrong but chose to take pleasure in killing innocent animals. Remember that, he had a choice. I have a choice not to forgive or forget.
- Comment removed.
- Comment removed.
- You don't have to forgive...that's your right. It's also Vick's right to make the most out of his 2nd chance and cash the $20 million soon. Better buy the haters more tissues.
- A Humane Nation
- Animal Law Coalition
- Animal Legal Defense Fund
- Animals & Politics
- Best Friends Animal Society
- Catster
- Dogster
- ohmidog!
- Paw Print Post
- Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
- Pet Watch New Jersey
- Pet-Abuse.com
- PetMD
- Terrierman
- The Bark
- Vetstreet
- WebMed/Pets
- zootoo
