Should convicted felons like Michael Vick be automatically
banned for life from the National Football League?
THIS WEEK’S QUESTION:
“Should convicted felons like Michael Vick be automatically banned for life from the National Football League?” Yes: 4 No: 8
? Karen Anderson: “No. It is their livelihood. It should depend on the crime and whether they are rehabilitated. Vick’s was gambling, drugs and dogs.”
? Bert Berson: “No. Who would be left to play football?”
? Chris Bryant: “Such positions serve as role models for youths and we need to stop sending the message that breaking the law is OK and doesn’t have long term consequences.”
? David Cohen: “No. He has served his time and deserves a second chance. But, it should also be his last chance.”
? Dennis Kennedy: “Yes.”
? Julian Mancias: “No. The penalty is too broad and severe to make it a blanket statement for all NFL players convicted of a felony.” n Linda McNulty: “No he served his time and everybody deserves a second chance.”
? Henry Miller: “No. Once they have paid their debt to society, each case should be judged on its own merits. Or should we automatically ban all convicted felons from all professions? How about the law, education, research, baseball, basketball, and, oh yes, the clergy? And let’s not overlook politics?”
? Lisa Pampuch: “Absolutely not. First, zero-tolerance policies are dumb policies that discourage thinking and discretion. Second, we create more problems than we solve when we make it difficult for ex-cons to return to being functional members of society. Michael Vick paid his debt to society. He should be allowed, even encouraged, to use his talents.”
? John Quick: “While I do believe in second chances, some boundaries are good. Felons cannot vote. Maybe they should not be held up as leaders in our society, which playing in the NFL does. Such an action should be a general rule of the NFL, not a special case. I only hope that Michael Vick’s ‘deal’ with the Humane Society adequately counters the evil he has done.
? Emily Shem-Tov: Maybe not automatically banned depending on the circumstances, but I really can’t believe they signed him after what he did.
? Steve Staloch: “Yes. Convicted felons received their day in court and the NFL should not render situational verdicts based on a player’s market value. The only professional sport to be more lax in its code of ethics is the WWF – just ask Pete Rose.”
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