It's About Winning Football Games, Stupid

The storm regarding the Philadelphia Eagles' signing of dog-killing felon Michael Vick has by now subsided to a small roar, but it's safe to say that this event not only shook the sports world, but also inflamed the emotions of everyone on each side of the debate. The arguments raged: His barbarous acts earned him a lifetime ban... He paid for his crime so he ought to get a second chance... The dogs that he hung on fences and subsequently electrocuted were given no second chance, and neither should Vick...

I can understand why fans of the Eagles are so excited about Vick's signing. He's still a dynamic talent, and while it's fair to say that he's out of football shape and hasn't played in two years, it's also true that (unless he roomed with Boggs at Shawshank Prison) he's been able to avoid the physical beatings associated with taking the ball under center and getting drilled by defensive linemen and blitzing safeties. He's going to improve that football team, no doubt about it. Even if McNabb remains that starter, does anybody really believe that Kevin Kolb will be the first guy off the bench come Week 6?

As far as all the drama and controversy, I find it interesting that the venom over Vick so far exceeds the punishment that Leonard Little faced after killing a 47-year old mother and wife while driving drunk, which I had alluded to in a previous post. I'm not at all condoning what Vick did, but I am surprised at the relative outrage. Michael Vick runs and dogfighting operation and kills a number of dogs, and people understandably and rightfully protest. Leonard Little kills Susan Gutweiler and he's welcomed back into the league without, at least as far as I can tell, the same about of outrage. I'd be interested in seeing what happens when Donte Stallworth, who also killed someone while driving while intoxicated, comes off his season-long suspension.

The other thing I find ridiculous is this notion that the Eagles did this largely for societal redemption purposes. From owner Jeffrey Lurie to front office men Tom Heckert and Joe Banner to coach Andy Reid, you hear this mantra of giving second chances to a young man who will now have the opportunity to be an agent for social change. Baloney. The implication that this was the primary driver is almost insulting. Michael Vick was signed by the Eagles because they felt he could help them win football games. That's why Vick was given a second chance, and that's why people like Leonard Little are given second chances. To chalk this up to anything else but a desire to win games is simply disingenuous.