nfl: a strange beast

Michael Vick is currently the leading vote-getter for the NFL MVP. And people are going fucking nuts about it.

Vick and his cohorts operated Bad Newz kennel - a kennel that abused pit bulls and bred them as bait for dogfighting rings, as well as funded the gambling side of the operation. In 2007, he pled guilty to federal charges in the dog fighting investigation (amongst a slew of minor state and federal charges). Additionally he was suspended by the NFL due to his illegal, cruel and reprehensible behavior - and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. He served almost two years in federal prison and was required to provide to a fund for the care and rehabilitation of the dogs rescued from his kennel. (Note: of the 51 dogs rescued, only four were euthanized. Over half of the remaining dogs now have permanent homes).

I understand the backlash against Vick; backlash from animal rights groups, no-kill shelters, the general populous. This is largely because we can all relate. After all, almost all of us has had encounters house pets at one time or another, and those of us who own pets consider them part of the family. And yes, the Vick incident hits close to home for me; especially seeing Cayenne (and Lily too) represent the breed brutally abused. Abusing animals is unfathomable to us, and just plain wrong.

But this turn of events reveals the strange beast of the NFL.

Earlier this year, Ben Roethlisberger was accused of raping a woman in Florida nightclub. No charges were filed. Yet this is not the first time Big Ben has been accused of sexual assault. He tends to go after almost any female that moves. Abuse - physical, sexual, emotional - against any human is also wrong. Yes, he was suspended for six games by the league. However, there was minimal (if any) backlash from women's abuse organizations, women's rights organizations, etc.

Then there's the whole Brett Favre "sexting" scandal. Favre allegedly sent inappropriate messages to former Jets gameday reporter Jen Sterger. She claims harassment, even though the communication was allegedly mutual. Keep in mind Favre is married (to someone who looks exactly like Sterger, strangely enough). There have been no legal repercussions as of yet, and honestly, there might never be. Sure, Favre screwed his reputation and his marriage, but it's his to screw up. Oh, and did you notice any backlash from the Council for Marriage and Family or the like?

But what about NFL players and murder? Enter Ray Lewis, indicted on murder and aggravated assault charges. However, charges were dropped against Lewis in exchange for his testimony against his two "friends". He got a year of probation, misdemeanor of obstruction and a hefty fine. No suspension. No backlash from anyone that I recall - although this was just over a decade ago. And he was named Super Bowl MVP a year later. Today, he is one of the most revered linebackers in the NFL. I'm not denying his talent or on-field charisma, but everyone seems to have forgotten the past murder charges. Call me crazy, but involvement in a murder is a bigger crime than animal abuse (as trite as that sounds).

What I'm saying is that the punishment should fit the (alleged) crime. I don't condone what any of these players (allegedly) did. In the case of Vick - he paid his dues, served his time, and should be allowed to play the game.

And for the record, I don't think Vick (or any of previously mentioned players) should be MVP for the reasons listed above.