Earlier today we published an article titled Tony Dungy is Michael Vick’s Dupe of the Season, we basically started out the article saying that ‘it didn’t matter if Michael Vick didn’t follow Tony Dungy’s advice’ about not drinking. 

Apparently we were half right and half wrong.  As one of our astute readers was able to point out to us in an email today.

Its true that it doesn’t really matter if Michael Vick ignores half of what Tony Dungy says, but (and this is a big one) Michael Vick IS REQUIRED TO FOLLOW THE CONDITIONS OF HIS PAROLE & (another big one) Michael Vick IS REQUIRED TO FOLLOW THE CONDITIONS OF HIS CONDITIONAL NFL REINSTATEMENT.

By going to a bar and drinking Vodka with friends after his First day back on the job in the NFL, Michael Vick likely violated both his parole and his NFL reinstatement.

But don’t take our word for it, check out the terms of Michael Vick’s reinstatement as quoted from Roger Goodell’s letter to Michael Vick.

“Among the conditions of this reinstatement, you are required to abide by the terms of the supervised release that were imposed on you by the court, which include not committing any further crime, limits on who you may associate with, prohibitions regarding drug and alcohol use, possession of a firearm or other dangerous weapon, and forbidding you to own, possess or be involved with the sale of any dog.”  Source NFL.com

So the New York Post caught Michael Vick drinking Grey Goose Vodka on his first day back on the job.  If that allegation of the Post holds up, then Michael Vick may have just sabotaged his latest and often repeated ‘second’ chance.

We’d like to call on both the NFL and Parole officials to investigate whether or not Michael Vick violated his parole.  Truthfully, it would be painful to watch this man go back to jail, especially just 5 days after his younger brother was sentenced to 20 days for violating his own parole, but we were one of the first groups to say that Michael Vick should not be in the NFL and it could very well be that his latest actions prove this yet again.

Open Questions

As things stand, I am personally unclear as to whether Michael Vick is on parole in Virginia, Georgia, Pennsylvania or possibly at some federal level since he was released from Federal prison.

If someone could shed some light on this, I think it might help.  It would then be a likely next step for us to review parole conditions for whichever jurisdiction Michael Vick must report, to determine if Roger Goodells letter talking about parole requirements is accurate.

Update

It would appear that Michael Vick is under the jurisdiction of Virginia.  Furthermore, the conditions of his parole suggest that consuming alcohol may have violated his probation.  From the overall scope of Michael Vick’s judgment the root of the issue seems to hinge on Michael Vick’s substance abuse issues.  You may recall that while he was still negotiating with the courts in 2007 he tested positive for marijuana and had to undergo a special substance abuse program in prison, which helped to fast track him for an earlier release.

There are two clauses in his judgment that relate to alcohol:

1. the first states that ‘the defendant shall refrain from excessive use of alcohol’
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2. The second item in the Special Conditions of Supervision seem to be where Michael Vick may have already run into trouble, it states “The defendant shall participate in a a program approved by the Probation Office for substance abuse, which program may include residential treatment and testing to determine whether the defendant has reverted to the use of drugs or alcohol”
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3. Based on the New York Post article it would appear that Michael Vick DID use alcohol after that first day of work with the Eagles.
4. It now remains to be seen whether
1. Michael Vick’s probation officer will take action and what that action might be
2. Will Roger Goodell hold Michael Vick to the NFL letter which specifically prohibited alcohol.

At a minimum it looks like Michael Vick may have broken his most recent commitment to Roger Goodell and the NFL, it remains to be seen if he broke any laws.

Its true that several major news organizations have also questioned whether Michael Vick just flamed out before our eyes and no one noticed, but obviously a little grass roots action may be required to actually get something done.

The Eagles seem to think that Michael Vick’s alcohol consumption in a bar was not a parole violation but they are not in charge of the Michael Vick’s parole nor the NFL.  The real authorities have yet to weigh in.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.