Aug 28, 2015 2 min read

Although I have never been a fan of the violent sport of professional football, I am appalled that the internationally-renowned Pittsburgh Steelers, a team which holds itself out as placing value on character, integrity, morality and ethics, has scraped the bottom of the humanity barrel in signing a contract with a reprobate, Michael Vick.

Some would seek to wipe away Vick’s actions as mere “mistakes.” They are wrong. Repeatedly deriving sadistic glee from the torture and slaughter of precious, defenseless domestic animals is evidence of a fatal character flaw. Vick would still be engaging in savagery today had he not been caught. He has attempted to act as a civilized human being since his apprehension only because it was necessary in order for him to return to a sport which provides him adulation and vast wealth.

What responsible parent would encourage their child to cheer for someone of Vick’s ilk or to proudly wear his jersey? Do any members of the Steelers have dogs? Will they be able to set aside the feelings they have for their animals and look their new teammate in the eye?

Does Vick have the right to a second chance …to redemption? Having been considered to have paid his debt to society, he has the right to live as a free man and to work, but he has no place on the public stage, and certainly not in a position as a professional athlete in which individuals, including impressionable children, will look up to him.

When the Rooney family committed the heist of this era, making off with $233 million of public money to defray the cost of Heinz Field, it was an outrage: welfare for the rich paid for by the working class. Through the Vick signing, the family and the team are now immersed in an additional coating of mud. Perhaps fate will intervene and the team will sport an 0-16 record in the 2015-16 season.

Oren Spiegler

Upper St. Clair