PHILADELPHIA — Michael Vick’s peers appreciate his tough journey back to the NFL.
Vick won the Ed Block Courage Award, voted on by his teammates on the Philadelphia Eagles, after the once-disgraced star quarterback returned to the league after spending 18 months in a federal prison for his role in a dogfighting ring.
“It means a great deal to me,” Vick said Wednesday. “I was voted unanimously by my teammates. They know what I’ve been through. I’ve been through a lot. It’s been great to come back and have an opportunity to play and be with a great group of guys. I’m just ecstatic about that and I enjoy every day.”
A three-time Pro Bowl pick in six seasons with Atlanta, Vick has played sparingly with the Eagles. He has two touchdowns rushing and one passing in 12 games.
The Ed Block Award honors players who exemplify commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage. Each of the 32 NFL teams selects a recipient.
“I’ve overcome a lot, more than probably one single individual can handle or bear,” Vick said. “You ask certain people to walk through my shoes, they probably couldn’t do. Probably 95 percent of the people in this world because nobody had to endure what I’ve been through, situations I’ve been put in, situations I put myself in and decisions I have made, whether they have been good or bad.
“There’s always consequences behind certain things and repercussions behind them, too. And then you have to wake up every day and face the world, whether they perceive you in the right perspective, it’s a totally different outlook on you. You have to be strong, believe in yourself, be optimistic. That’s what I’ve been able to do. That’s what I display.”
The Eagles were criticized by animal rights activists for signing Vick less than a month after he was released from prison. Dozens of protesters voiced their outrage outside the team’s practice facility the day after Vick was signed, and many fans threatened to give up their tickets.
But Vick got a warm reception in his first game with the Eagles and by most accounts has been a model citizen off the field.
The animal rights group, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, issued a statement reprimanding the Eagles for giving Vick the award.
“The Philadelphia Eagles fumbled when they gave Michael Vick the Ed Block Courage Award, which was named after a man who advocated in behalf of abused children,” the PETA statement read. “Michael Vick should not be the person anyone points to as a model of sportsmanship, even though he has now exchanged dogs for touchdowns after serving time for extreme cruelty to animals. We wish him well in educating others, but this is not appropriate and does not mark a joyous moment in NFL history.”
Vick has spent time working with the Humane Society of the United States, speaking to school and community groups about the mistakes he made in getting involved in dogfighting.
“It was a big obstacle proving I’m worthy of a second chance,” Vick said. “It doesn’t stop here. I have to continue to prove that. I think it’s not going to be a day-to-day process, it’s going to be a year-in, year-out process. It’s a challenge to myself. The thing I told (NFL commissioner) Roger (Goodell) is that four or five years from now, I’m going to come to him and say, ‘Everything I told you I was going to do, I’m still doing it.’ And that’s what I pride myself on and that’s my focus and that’s my goal.”
Quarterback Donovan McNabb called the award “well-deserved.”
“Congratulations to him for straightening his life around and bettering himself as a human being,” coach Andy Reid said. “He’s obviously very well-respected by his teammates.”
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at 10:49 am
It’s because of Michael Vick that a lot of dogs are alive today! His ordeal has brought the issue of dogfighting to the forefront. There’ve been more crackdowns on dogfighting rings than ever would’ve been if not for Vick.
Not praising him for his wrong-doings. But you’ve gotta give credit where its due. How many of us could’ve weathered the storm of that kinda “fall from grace.” The redicule, loss of 100s of millions, prison-time, the jokes, your name being dragged thru the mud. I think not many.
Philly is not my team, but I applaud them for giving Vick another chance, when no one else would! There is nothing I love more than to see someone step out on the limb, against the grain & opinions of others, hold their head up & say “We’ll take him!” YEAH! That’s what I call backbone!
I wish him all the luck in the world on his comeback! Can’t wait to see him lead a team to victory! Again!
at 8:00 pm
This is so typical. Black folks downplaying wrongdoing, and even somewhat sticking up for the perpetrator because. . . .he’s another “brutha,” and it’s our duty and obligation to stick up for him because he’s “one of us”, right? RIGHT?
at 7:21 pm
18 months in prison for a crime that should have been a fine and probation. Im glad they picked him and some people need to face facts…yes Michael Vick did wrong and went to prison for it and his time is done and over and yes it takes alot to come back to a sport when you done time in prison and be under the spotlight of everyone and everything you do and say is watched. So I say hell yeah-they should have gave it too him,after all he is not the only 1 who fight dogs or pay to watch them fight nor kill animals. Sh1t ya’ll eat don’t,you-the only differents is some people don’t eat dogs. And I agree with you LUNATIK713.(just my opinion)
at 5:47 pm
I wish Mike Vick the best of luck and hope he continues to stay on the right path a lot of ppl come down hard on him for being part of an illegal dogfighting ring. Well here’s a piece of information you tons of ppl have been doing it for years mainly white ppl Mike just caught up and when they found out about him it became a witch hunt. I don’t condone the torture and mistreatment of animals, but there are monsters in history who have done far worse to human beings and they are still doing it today. It’s just the fact you had a well known black athlete who made some stupid choices. I feel he’s paid for his mistakes and now he’s trying to prove he’s worthy to be given the second chance that anyone who is truly sincere about changing deserves. I’m still rocking my Vick jersey Falcons and Eagle and I dare someone from P.E.T.A. to run up on me about it. The Phenom is still my favorite QB!
at 5:33 pm
I know yall gone burn a cross in my yard for this one but I agree with Lakerdude19 (YES! I actually agree with him this time!), and nightowl358. I don’t see why Vick deserved this award. HE had the greatest standing/following in the NFL, millionaire, and what did he choose to do? Kill/torture innocent animals? So he gets an award for getting out of prison and playing football? I dont pat him on the back for ‘overcoming’ whatever he went through because it was self mannered…Meaning, he didnt have to go out and kill animals. He was already THEE ‘IT’ man. What hes doing isnt courageous…it’s what a million other young black males have talent to do but dont have the exact opportunity that Vick had and THREW AWAY! I’m glad hes getting his life back on track…but courageous?? Nah…But then again Obama got the Nobel Prize so maybe I’m out the loop on these things…
at 4:57 pm
And _A_, have you ever thought that maybe YOUR community is responsible for your own people dying?
at 11:34 am
_A_, I didn’t say anyone has been through worse for killing dogs (and he didn’t just kill them, he tortured them too), I said that there are millions of people who have been through much worse than an 18 month prison sentence. So for him to say what I quoted came off as arrogant and insensitive. So you in effect took my statement out of context…
And leave it to an angry black man to bring up “dirty” cops while we’re talking about a dog killer.
“I have seen cops kill unarmed black men.” Have you? Really? Or did you just read about a black man dying in a stint with the cops and assume that he was innocent and the media was lying? But if you have actually seen that happen then I would love to here about it.
And where was my silly joke? All I see is a cleverly construed metaphor.
at 10:49 pm
I been watching this dude play since his days at VT University. P-H-E-N-O-M-E-N-A-L!!!….LOL!…Mike has always been the one player who comes along and changes the whole game. Left-handed, highly accurate and ain’t afraid to run the ball too. I’m really glad for him and hope he got something genuine out of all this. I still, proudly, rate him as #1 among my favorites NFL QBs of all time. This against Randall Cunningham, Dan Fouts, Ron Jaworski, Steve McNair, John Elway, Joe Montana and of course, Peyton Manning.
at 12:00 pm
@Lakerdude…How many people you know have been through worse for killing dogs? You’re always taking statements out of its proper context and trying to make silly jokes. Dude lost millions of dollars for killing your best friend. I have seen cops kill unarmed black men, and didn’t even go to anything close to the “hilton of penitentiaries” which would have at least shown us, that the justice system has some concern for OUR community.
at 10:15 pm
Im happy for Michael Vick even thou-im a Cowboy fan and he done his time and went threw that bullsh!t speech about animals and he got the right to play and kick a$$,too.
at 10:14 pm
I am an animal lover, but the punishment meted out to Michael Vick far exceeded the crime. People assault human beings and get far less time than Mike got for crimes against dogs. He overpaid for his crime, and now, it is time for PETA and the rest of society, to let Michael Vick lead his life to the fullest. I am so very happy that his teammates bestowed him with the Courage Award. EXPERIENCE IS THE BEST TEACHER. Michael learned his lessons, and learned them well. He will now be able to exemplify excellence towards humanity, as well as the animal kingdom. Be happy, Michael — just be happy!
at 8:37 pm
I’m very happy that Michael Vick has turned his life around and that he’s back to doin what he does so well. His case is another sad example of what happens when you give millions of $$$ to someone with a minimum wage mind. This is the legacy of “thug life” and as long as black men equate mindless consumerism, violence and ignorance with “keepin it real” then you will continue to see such unfortunate behavior. And as long as black women continue to reward such stupidity with attention and sexual favors it will never change!
at 7:52 pm
I agree with Niketa1981. Michael Vick served the time for his crime and I’m glad that he was reinstated in the NFL, given a second chance by the Eagles and appears to have redeemed himself. While he committed a horrible act and I love animals just as much as the next man, his victims were just dogs. What about the hunters and the fishermen? Also, most of the people who complain about Vick and his past transgressions are just jealous because they don’t have his talent and / or income. It’s time for us to look in the mirror at ourselves and stop looking for professional athletes to be role models for our kids. I agree, keep up the good work Vick!!!
at 7:43 pm
I understand Vick did what he did but damn why hate let this man have a lil…yall dnt say nothing when u got muthaf*ckas gettin up at the crack of dawn to kill deers and rabbits and racoons and s**t. Its sad instead of help the next man yall like always put them down! And its funny cause if the shoe was on the other foot you would be doning the same. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK VICK!!!
at 7:21 pm
Michael Vick is just another dumb ass pro athlete who didn’t have sense enough to behave.
Just be grateful that 1) You didn’t stay in prison past your playing prime, and 2) The NFL took your ass back.
at 5:31 pm
I wouldn’t have voted for him. LOL. Sorry. He did the crime and he did the time, but you dont reward THAT!! It’s ridiculous. My question is, if 32 teams have a winner, why announce this particular one? Why not announce the ones that are I’m sure more deserving? His getting back on a team is reward enough I think. I would have liked to hear about the guys who really did show courage in their life. Going to prison, coming out and getting a multi-million dollar job didnt take courage!
at 5:26 pm
“I’ve overcome a lot, more than probably one single individual can handle or bear,” Vick said. “You ask certain people to walk through my shoes, they probably couldn’t do. Probably 95 percent of the people in this world because nobody had to endure what I’ve been through, situations I’ve been put in, situations I put myself in and decisions I have made, whether they have been good or bad.”
Sorry Vick, but 18 months in prison doesn’t give you the right to say that. There are millions of people who have been through much, much worse. Plus you were in a federal prison, the Hilton of penetintiaries.