Teammates Give Michael Vick "Ed Block Courage Award."

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PawLuxury

Oh, this topsy turvy world we live in. This story came out when The Dog Files was taking a Christmas break, but I thought it was important to let you guys know.

By the way, the Ed Block Foundation is an organization that fights child abuse. Talk about irony.

— Kenn


PETA’s response to the award:

Today the Philadelphia Eagles announced that convicted felon Michael Vick’s teammates have voted him the winner of the Ed Block Courage Award, whose recipient exemplifies “commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage.”

The Eagles fumbled badly in giving Vick this award, which is named after a man who advocated in behalf of abused children. Michael Vick should not be someone anyone points to as a model of sportsmanship, even though he has now exchanged dogs for touchdowns after serving time for extreme cruelty to numerous animals. The Eagles’ decision to give Vick this award is not appropriate and certainly does not mark a joyous moment in NFL history.

It seems like only yesterday when Vick emerged from the slammer after serving less than two years for “sportsman-like” conduct such as laughing as fighting dogs ripped apart his family’s “pets” and hanging and drowning dogs who lost fights.

If there were an award for cruelty, I’d nominate Vick. What do you think—good idea or epic fail?

Toni Monkovic of The New York Times response:

Did Vick Deserve Courage Award?

Earlier this week, Eagles players voted unanimously to give Michael Vick the annual Ed Block Courage Award. Each N.F.L. team selects a player who best exemplifies “commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage.” PETA said the Eagles “fumbled badly.”

Vick’s initial reaction to the award came across as somewhat self-pitying, and was not helpful: “I’ve had to overcome a lot, probably more than one single individual can handle or can bear. You take a look at what I’ve been through, you ask certain people to walk in my shoes, they probably couldn’t do it. 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’ve placed myself in.”

Phil Sheridan of The Philadelphia Inquirer responded with a column in which he wrote: It’s hard to believe anyone thinks he deserves an award for courage or character.

Rich Hoffman of The Philadelphia Daily News added context to Vick’s response: When you talk to Vick, it sometimes takes him a minute to get to the key point: situations I’ve placed myself in. That is what rankles for some, still, that minute it sometimes takes. But it is all part of a longer process.

Anyway, Vick said, “The thing I told Roger was that, 4 or 5 years from now, when I come to him, I’ll be able to say everything I told you I was going to do, I’m still doing it. That’s what I pride myself on. That’s my focus and that’s my goal.”

That might have seemed a more appropriate time for an award such as this one, not now. Then again, this is all about a bond within a locker room, a place that none of us can hope to understand from the outside.

And finally, a petition you can sign to let the Eagles know what you think:

Petition Against Awarding Michael Vick the Ed Block Courage Award


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kimrocha
kimrocha
14 years ago

unfortunately people have really short memories. Thanks for reminding everyone of unforgivable acts that Michael Vick committed. Even though he spent a little time in jail does not mean that he is a free man. Since his teammates are “unanimously” ignorant and taken in, the rest of us have to keep these crimes formost in people's minds. This prestigious award NOW has absolutely no credibility.

judithkay41
judithkay41
14 years ago

This man is not courageous! He is a coward who deliberately tortured and physically and emotionally hurt many dogs who were defenseless and voiceless. This is not what courage should mean to anyone: he is a coward who killed and maimed dogs for pleasure. He is a saditst and a piece of scum: he should not be playing football and looked upon as a role model by children or adults, much less be given an award for his cruelty and viciousness. What are you people thinking?

Anne Good
14 years ago

Absolutely disgusting and so wrong on so many levels. Let me remind you that this is what dog fighting looks like: http://bit.ly/n35Uh Why would we ever reward that?

SHELLEY
SHELLEY
14 years ago

YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!! THIS PIECE OF GARBAGE LAUGHED AS HE WATCHED HOUSEHOLD PETS GET RIPPED APART HE LAUGHED WHEN HE ELECTROCUTED DOGS.

Vegegirl34
Vegegirl34
13 years ago
Reply to  SHELLEY

It is unbelievable that people know this and still love him. They should put their disgusting butts in there and see how much fun it is to be ripped apart.

vegegirl
vegegirl
13 years ago

Anyone who fights animals are disgusting human beings. There is no in between and as for him doing charity? Please he got caught and wants everyone to think he is a great person now. It does not take high intelligence to understand this.

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