What! Michael Vick Wins a Courage Award

Eagles player Michael Vick was voted the Ed Block Courage Award by his Philadelphia teammates despite the fact that he maimed and killed thousands of dogs. Just because he was allowed to play football again and make millions after serving a prison term does not make him courageous. It makes him lucky.

All 32 NFL teams select a recipient.

To give him an award named after Ed Block is an insult. Block fought in General Patton’s Tank Corp and won a Purple Heart during WWII. He received a master’s degree from the University of Missouri in 1937, worked in the U.S Space program, and was Head Athletic Trainer for the Baltimore Colts from 1954-1977. He died in 1983.

Reflecting on all of his contributions to society, his greatest may have been his efforts to prevent child abuse.

This from the foundations web site.

Above all, he believed in the rights of children, no matter how hurt or handicapped, to be exposed to the good things in life. He was outspoken on the subject of child abuse and he practiced what he preached until his dying day.

What is most disturbing are Vick’s comments after it was announced he had won the award.

“I’ve overcome a lot, more than probably one single individual can handle or bear,”

Really? You overcame more than the soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan? More than the family members who have lost a loved one in the World Trade Center attack? More than the dogs you mutilated? More than the children who were subjected to the abuse that Ed Block was trying to prevent?

The only thing you overcame was a prison term directly related to your own sadistic behaviors.

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…

I would argue that at least 95% of the sensible people in this world would have never been involved in an activity so vile as dog fighting to begin with.

“It was a big obstacle proving I’m worthy of a second chance…”

I am a Social Worker who is all about second chances. Vick got his when after serving his debt to society he was allowed to return to his chosen profession. You don’t deserve an award for that.

His comments seem to indicate that his previous statements and actions were the result of a well crafted campaign by his lawyers and public relations people. Based on these unscripted statements, it appears that Vick believes he was courageous in the face of insurmountable obstacles. Obstacles he created for himself. Obstacles created out of cruelty and cowardice.

While I find this hard to believe, his coach said the vote was unanimous amongst the Eagle players. Vick said it was not. In an effort to show his humility and remorse he said he did not vote for himself. Ed Block fought against abuse while Michael Vick sought to inflict it. If Vick wanted to honor the principles of Ed Block and show true humility and remorse he would have declined the award in the first place.

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