It doesn’t matter one bit that Michael Vick ignores the advice of Tony Dungy about drinking in public. 

Michael Vick’s mentor, Tony Dungy, scolded the Eagles quarterback for drinking in public after the New York Post revealed he was drinking Grey Goose and pineapple juice in a Philadelphia airport bar. "Michael, you can’t do that," Dungy told Vick, via SI.com’s Peter King. Eagles spokesman Derek Boyko told the Philadelphia Inquirer that drinking alcohol is "not in conflict with terms of (Vick’s) probation or reinstatement with the NFL." Dungy relayed to King that even though alcohol may not be completely banned, he must not present a negative image. Said King, "He can’t give the media or the public any ammunition to suggest he isn’t doing everything he can to live a clean life and devote himself totally to football.

Tony Dungy scolds Michael Vick for public alcohol consumption

The real problem is that Michael Vick was allowed back into the NFL at all.  Tony Dungy and Roger Goodell have both been fooled by an extraordinarily practiced liar.  We do not have to take issue with the idea that Michael Vick is keeping his mind on his money with a little Grey Goose, but we do take issue with the source of that money, NFL fan money that is.

If the NFL had instituted a policy that prevented violent criminals from playing permanently, then people like Roger Goodell and Tony Dungy would have been protected from this type of deceit.  That is why a policy change is in order and that is why policy is used to protect large organizations from the weaknesses of individuals, especially those with 6+ years of experience subverting that organization.

Wake up Tony Dungy, wake up Roger Goodell, the NFL needs to be changed.

It might be possible to reform an evil person, but expecting them to reform into a saint, into a marketable hero is a travesty.

Everyone can agree that Michael Vick is sick, but its becoming increasingly clear that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is either as sick, maybe even more.  Michael Vick admitted his guilt to killing dogs with his bare hands, torturing them, running illegal gambling rings bringing more people into a criminal lifestyle and setting and overall terrible example for kids.

Roger Goodell is possibly worse.  He’s like the kingpin drug pusher of the NFL enabling violent felons from Christian Peter – sexual assault, Lawrence Phillips – violent domestic abuse, Leonard Little – killed a woman with a car, Jamal Lewis- drugs, Ray Lewis, obstruction of justice in a murder case, Michael Vick, Tank Johnson, Pac-Man Jones, Donte Stallworth, manslaughter, Plaxico Burress almost shot a bar tender, did shoot himself, lied about it.

The NFL needs a rule that prevents people convicted of violent crimes from playing in the league.  That’s it, end of story, one strike and you are out permanently.  But instead Roger Goodell promotes criminal behavior by not providing any substantive penalty.  Kill some dogs, kill a person, ‘OK well you are going to miss a few games, but we’ll let you come back and make millions of dollars after you sit on the bench for a while.’

That’s the problem with Roger Goodell, he thinks that benching a player and then providing them a financial reward after benching them for committing a violent crime is going to do anything to prevent other players from engaging in violent behavior.  That’s not a deterrent.  Its almost a reward!

But of course, that is not enough for Roger Goodell, he not only wants to provide financial rewards for criminal behavior, he wants to make a buck off of it, while laughing at the victims.  Below you can see what the NFL is offering on their website today (August 21, 2009) after Michael Vick was convicted of dog fighting, after Roger Goodell allowed him back into the NFL, after The Eagles hired Michael Vick for $6.8 million.  The NFL.com is selling Jerseys on their website with Michael Vick’s name on it FOR DOGS!

What’s next Roger Goodell?  Are you going to sell NFL bumper stickers saying, “NFL Players don’t brake for people in intersections”  or sell thongs to rape victims with an NFL logo above the words saying “You were just asking for it” or will the NFL sell brass knuckles online with the engraving, “Women Don’t Back Talk NFL Players!”

Seriously, Roger Goodell, you are sick and twisted and part of the problem.  If you can’t take charge of the NFL and turn it into a decent place again, your time is long over due to leave.

Ed Sayres, the President and CEO of the ASPCA described in detail why he and the ASPCA specifically chose NOT to partner nor work with Michael Vick, despite requests from Vick and his entourage.  We would highly encourage reading this article in full, but wanted to share some of the key excerpts.  Our effort, site and campaign are also NOT partnered with the ASPCA, we have not contacted them and vice versa, but we DO respect their decision not to help promote the criminal in this particular case.

Several months ago, Mr. Vick’s PR representatives approached the ASPCA to help educate America about the heinous act of dog fighting following his release from prison. We were the first animal welfare organization given the opportunity to work with Mr. Vick but immediately turned him down due to the unique knowledge we had of his indescribable and barbaric acts of animal cruelty where he and his associates savagely electrocuted and beat dogs to death after they lost their brutal fights.

.

The ASPCA’s general consultation and our specific role in processing the forensic evidence in this case were key elements that resulted in Mr. Vick and the three other defendants all pleading guilty to felony crimes.

.

the ASPCA wants to make clear why this organization chose not to partner with him in his supposed rehabilitation efforts. We are simply not convinced that Mr. Vick has demonstrated compassion toward animals as living beings or the necessary remorse for his criminal actions against them.

.

CBS did a grave disservice to the animal welfare community by failing to show the ugly truth of Mr. Vick’s actions and the horrors of dog fighting and animal cruelty in this country. The continued attention paid to Mr. Vick is only reinforcing that criminal behavior does not destroy fame and fortune.

.

Although Mr. Vick has served his time and is now entitled to employment, the ASPCA was strongly against him being able to immediately re-join the NFL, to play alongside highly paid elite athletes who are looked upon as our heroes and role models.

.

The ASPCA believes in second chances — in redemption — but that second chance has to be earned through contrition, conversion to the cause of animal welfare and finally, through hard work. Mr. Vick has only now begun his journey toward a second chance.

.

Will Mr. Vick have learned something — and taken the opportunity he has been granted to impart to his legion of fans the importance of compassion toward animals? Certainly, only time will offer us an answer — but we will be watching.