Tech Bookstore will host Michael Vick during a Saturday, April 24, visit.
Community reactions are conflicted as former Virginia Tech football standout Michael Vick makes his first return to Blacksburg since being released from prison for being a part of a dog fighting operation.
Vick, who played quarterback for two seasons from 1999-2000 after redshirting for one year, led the Hokies to the 2000 Sugar Bowl. Selected first overall in the 2001 NFL Draft, Vick played six seasons with the Atlanta Falcons before his incarceration. He served 19 months in federal prison before being released in May 2009.
Now a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, Vick’s teammates rewarded him with the team’s Ed Block Courage Award. The award, given by each of the NFL’s 32 teams, recognizes players who display sportsmanship and courage.
Vick was invited to return to Blacksburg to take part in activities surrounding the Hokies’ spring game on Saturday.
As a part of his appearance in Blacksburg, Vick will sign autographs at Tech Bookstore on South Main Street. Tickets for the event, priced at $25 if purchased before the event and $30 at the door, have drawn some interest. Of the 50 available pre-sale tickets, 28 have already been sold, including one buyer from Florida.
George Daniels, store manager of Tech Bookstore, said the store had done a similar event last year, which brought out Tech football alumni including Victor “Macho” Harris, D’Angelo Hall and Brandon Flowers.
“It was a fun atmosphere,” Daniels said.
Calls left with Brenden Hill, a representative for The Elite Group, which set up the signing event with the store, were not returned.
The store offers several Tech-themed products for dogs, including collars, jerseys and sweaters.
While Daniels said reaction was positive, he did admit to receiving two e-mails from “people disappointed we’re doing this.” Additionally, comments for an event listing on Facebook about the signing had to be taken down after negative posts were made about Vick’s criminal actions.
“I should’ve never had it open,” Daniels said, admitting he often has younger employees assist with working on the store’s page. “I’m not that great on Facebook.”
A version of this article appeared in the Apr 22 issue of the Collegiate Times.
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It is amazing how some people justify hate the man is doing postive work towards ending dogfighting and no one can say he is not sincere because he has done everything he said he was going to do. The press won't leave it alone because it sells papers, animal lovers are lunatics they can't forgive him and move on but they will let a rapist like Ben or event their on hatred, racism and bigotry go unchecked. I wish him well and hope that if I ever do anything that is remotely as bad that God will forgive me and let me move on. If you really love dogs then go donate $30.00 to Montgomery Humane Society like he is doing with the proceeds from the autograph signing. This is not about dogs it is about random hatred of a person and we know why.
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The MCHS is a breed discriminatory rescue. They do not accept pit bulls or any bullies.
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Unbelievable. I just called the shelter myself & it's true ! The woman who answered said their kennels were to old for pit bulls. Huh ?????
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Yeah, HSUS's newest BFF is going such positive work against dogfighting. That's why , according the the Philly SPCA , dogfighting has risen 450% since Vick has been an Eagle.
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HSUS is a lunatic fringe. Don't be confuse this organization with local humane societies. HSUS is very closely aligned with other nuts like PETA.
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As a dog lover and Hokie fan, I welcome Michael Vick back to Blacksburg with open arms.
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Vick committed an unforgivable offense against the most loyal of all animals - dogs. Read one piece of research or view five minutes of any factual documentation about the 5,000 year relationship between humans and dogs you will understand that they are not disposable under no circumstances should they EVER be subject to the cruel, violent whims of humans. Dogs are called into service to assist people with disabilities, to nurture patients in hospitals, to teach children in schools, to serve in our military, police/fire rescue units. Dogs ARE the closest thing to a 'human' relationship we will ever know in a species that is not human. So to say "Shame on Vick" is fair should be repeated often. He ( those who admire him) MUST be held to the highest standards when it comes to animal abuse. PERIOD.
IF Vick is truly remorseful, IF Vick is truly committed to stopping animal abuse, we need to HEAR VICK SAY LOUD CLEAR, that all of you 'enjoying the "sport" of dog fighting" 'acts of cruelty' against animals are committing a vulgar immoral act. PERIOD. Frankly, Vick should’ve been standing before the Supreme Court on their recent ruling 'opening the doors to the videography of animal cruelty for profit' demanding that allowing that vile behaviour is no different than his vile behavior. Words are meaningless unless you back them up with action. So, Vick, step up, man up and own what you've done.
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Just so you know, not just anyone can go talk to the Supreme Court. Vick has spoken out, he does speaking events against animal cruelty, hes publicly expressed remorse. At the time he committed his crime, I was PISSED. I thought he was absolutely disgusting and gave Hokies a bad name, however HE DID HIS TIME IN PRISON. He has paid his debt to society and he continues to pay it. MOVE THE HELL ON PEOPLE. EVERYONE DESERVES A SECOND CHANCE.
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Only, this is about his 4th chance the NFL has given him.
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Arthur Blank gave Mike Vick several chances - that little incident with the Feds was just the last straw because of the attention it got.
1. A few years ago someone in Michael Vick stole a watch from a TSA agent at Hartsfield-Jackson while going through security. In stead of pressing charges, the TSA agent reached a "financial settlement" brokered by a fellow Falcon's player
2. Mike Vick was detained in Miami after trying to get through security with a water bottle that had weed in it.
3. Two Words: Ron Mexico
4. While out on bond, he failed a drug test.
There have been plenty of chances.
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"Dogs ARE the closest thing to a 'human' relationship we will ever know in a species that is not human"
Jane Goodall is laughing, alot, really hard.
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Yup, I think you missed the point (or chose to ignore it?). Diligence said "closest thing to a human relationship..." *not* closest species to humans. Goodall and a few others notwithstanding, the great majority of us don't have relationships with apes or any other primates. However, millions of us have relationships -- much like friendships -- with our canine companions.
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Bob-dog, I copy/pasted what Diligence said word for word. It was even in its very own complete sentence, so I know what he said. My point, is to say "Dogs ARE the closest thing to a 'human' relationship we will ever know in a species that is not human" is incorrect - In fact *we* know that Apes are superior in their ability to form a more "human" relationship...When's the last time you saw a dog form independent thoughts using american sign language? The *smartest* dog on the planet, a border collie, doesn't have the literal physical/mental ability to even come close for comparison (their brain isn't advanced enough - Nat.Geo can tell you)
You can't discount the facts, we know a Gorilla is capable of the closest thing to a human relationship, even if you personally don't know an Ape. I didn't know Pol Pot, but I'm pretty sure I can read how big of a d*ck he was. Use your head. And if you don't dig Vick, don't show up.
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The embarassment to Hokie Nation caused by the Vick's, for me, overshadows their accomplishments on the football field. I will never respect Mike Vick because I don't believe he is truly sorry for the animals he killed and abusived. The only thing he is sorry about is that he got caught. I will send a donation to the local no-kill shelter where I got my dog, but I will not pay for his autograph. It's worthless.
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I agree 100%, Disappointed. Vick's remorse is about his reputation, his lost salary and endorsements, and loss of NFL playing time. I've watched some of his so-called talks to kids and inner-city youth, and I see a man doing a penance, saying what he is told to say. His speech isn't heartfelt, nor does it feel sincere to me.
I'm a Hokie (alum and staff), a football lover, and a former Vick fan who watched Falcons' games just to see him play. What Vick did shows a total lack of compassion, humanity, and empathy, and I'm tired of people boo-hooing about his sentence or trying to pull the race card.
I also think that others associated with the team knew about the dogfighting even when he was at VT (he used his garage and family pets before he got into the "BadNewz" dogfighting big time, so how could his brother not have known?), but fame, money, and greed tops respect, decency, and honesty every time it seems.
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Michael Vick likes to fight, torture and kill dogs. I guess that's okay because he's an "at-lete".
Yet Tech insists on keeping their athletic training facility named after him. All on the notion that he brought a lot of recognition to the University.
All for a street thug who NEVER FINISHED his degree.
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I laugh at the idea that someone who evidently did finish his degree would stoop to such ignorant classifications (like thug).
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You are spot on!!
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The majority of the people on here speaking out against Vick seem to be football fans. The difference between Michael Vick and a large majority of NFL players who have legal trouble is that Vick did his time, he paid his debt to society, he dealt with the consequences of his actions. It is disgusting to me that people can jump down his throat like he is the most despicable man in the NFL, yet dismiss those who commit terrible acts on other human beings. As a dog lover and owner I understand peoples distain, yet at the same time if he had beaten his girlfriend in the same manner you all would have stopped talking about it months after it happened. Let's move on people. It seems to be rare in life these days that people are willing to own up to what they have done, and deal with the consequences. Michael did exactly what was asked for him, in order to return to the league. As a Hokie you have a right to be embarrassed by his actions, yet at the same time you should support someone who actually dealt with the consequences. That is few and far between.
On a totally different note - he did not go to jail officially for dog fighting. He went for violating laws of transporting dogs over state lines. Get your facts straight.
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FACT - he did fight, kennel, transport, kill, and torture dogs. Read the court scripts. The language of the law doesn't lessen what he did.
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FACT- he did serve his time. He accepted his punishment. He not only did what he was supposed to to re-enter the league, he has kept good on everything he promised he would do after that.
Do you hate everyone who commits a crime, serves their time and then reintegrates into society? Get a grip people.
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Vick has served his time in which he was made an example of...if you think serving time is not a worthy punishment you are an ignorant fool. he didnt rape or murder anyone (as other athletes have and gotten away with it) he lost everything and is now working his way back to being a top level quarterback...I still love him as a player and always will...GO MIKE VICK
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He did serve his time and that is defiantly punishment. Being revered as a hero and returning to a million dollar pay check is NOT.
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THANK YOU!! Well said! I agree he has served his time and that he deserves a second chance, but he has yet to do anything wrothy of such high acclaim and attention.
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Why do we own dogs (and pets in general)? Quite obviously, it boils down our own amusement. They're basically well-kept slaves that keep us company because we're lonely. Yes, dogfighting is animal cruelty, but in a way, so is owning a dog regardless of how well you think you treat it. Oh, so you argue that your dog shows you so much affection? Well, kidnap and rape victims have been shown to cling to their oppressors too.
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Do your research, you are way off on this!
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Oh, yes, my slaves (all rescued American Pit Bull Terriers BTW) are all sound asleep on the couch right now with full bellies. So should I free my slaves so they can get hit by cars , starve to death, be attacked & killed by other animals , etc. ?
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You obviously have never "owned" a cat.
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I am always surprised at our failure to acknowledge that we are all products of our environment. I guarantee that were any of you in Vick's shoes, you most likely would have acted the same way (or at least have been sympathetic towards dogfighting). You obviously don't understand the culture... that's obvious. You may be thinking that your "morals" would enable you to turn away from acts you presently deem immoral... but, that's just placing your current state of mind (and upbringing) in Vick's body... not actually walking in his shoes from cradle to grave.
Think about slavery. Had you been born in colonial times when this was common practice and ingrained in our culture, I'd say a great majority of you would have found no fault in it and continued to perpetuate its horrors. Why then, do you not understand that even though what Michael Vick did was wrong, it's not because he's inherently evil or some BS. He's simply the product of a culture where dogfighting was not frowned upon, making his subsequent actions more understandable.
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The TRUTH is, he was old enough to know better. Ignorance of the law is no excuse. Immoral in some cultures, no. Illegal in America, yes. Put your books down, go outside and take a look around. Academia is not the reality.
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I am rather shocked that the Humane Society would accept this money seeing that they will not accept pit bulls or bully breeds. Shouldn't this money go to local organizations that do help the breeds that Vick killed and tortured?
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If the dogs could talk do you think they would rather be killed by some fag AR person or go out with a fighting chance. All the people that think dogs have to be trained to fight are absolutely wrong they have it in there nature,even 5lb Yorkies have and will fight to the death ,its fact not some BS fairy tale made up by the people writting in this blog,from one that knows!!
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Plane and simple, he's a dirtbag. Yet Steger and other administration continue to bring him into the limelight, hoping to capitalize on sports orientated dollars no doubt.
Way to go Tech
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If only you could convince me that all his recent "good behavior" is for his own love of four legged creatures, you might have a point, but I love animals and I never had to kill any to learn that. Also this was not the only thing he did wrong, it's just the most talked about and most offensive. He's definitely had more than two chances. He's no real Hokie to me.
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Although Vick did make a name for VT, Vick boys are both just thugs.
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