I dont really know anything about Bowman.
yes, I do mean a few yrs more, and I do know the age thing. I addressed that way back that by the time I figure he would prove himself, it would be too late for football.
What I dont want him, or anyone else who has displayed proven serious character flaw, to be, is in position to be looked up to by lots of children before he has proven himself worthy of such.
It is interesting the number of people who believe sports figures or judges or nurses or doctors should be automatically raised to the status of role model and placed on an alter to be praised by kids and adults alike. There is something fundamentally wrong with that idea for me.
Take for example: Actors, in general I would not want to idolize or have my kids idolize someone like the Steven Segal or even Chuck Norris, as I don't know enough about their actions and believes. Whereas, Michael J Fox and his work with parkinson disease is worthy of being idolized to a certian extent.
Similarly, if I look at football players, I don't see people idolizing someone like AJ Gass primarily based on his on field activities. But when you look at someone like pinball who reached out to community yes he may be worthy of being a role model.
People need to be selective about who and why they view as role models.
Now moving onto Vick, while I don't think he would come to Canada, I don't see any reason why he should not be allowed to continue his football career. If he truly does repent, he could become a real role model for kids. I know a few criminals who have actually done that.
As for being a potential rider, I would like to see that, but don't believe it would happen.
It is interesting the number of people who believe sports figures or judges or nurses or doctors should be automatically raised to the status of role model and placed on an alter to be praised by kids and adults alike. There is something fundamentally wrong with that idea for me.I agree, it shouldnt be that way, but it is.
Just like the huge number of people who beleive that because someone is famous, they have a right to harrass them everywhere they go, for autographs, pictures, etc, and to read everything the rag mags can dig up, etc. Simply assinine and shameful, and pathetic, but such is the way it is in our society.
I agree with you but the bottom line is that it is a fact of life.
Add to that the fact that if you are a celebrity you seem to deserve more leeway than anyone else!
I also believe in 2nd chances, but for Mike Vick, aka Ron Mexico, his 2nd chance was a long time ago. Mike Vick is a thug. He makes a lot of money and took it back to the ghetto. He won't change. He is jail bait, plain and simple.
…amen to that brother…
O, c'mon. Lot's of guys have done a lot worse things...like the star NFL linebacker whose entourage murdered two people outside a bar, then he uses his clout to slither out the charges and now everyone worships him as All-World.
But we are supposed to vilify Vick, according to the testimony of a admitted dog-fighter, who testified against him to escape charges.
If Vick had tortured another mammle species, let's say a rat, nobody would of cared less. But because it was a cute cuddly dog, man's best friend...to the gallows with him!
Dog fighting is just part of the culture in his hometown. A lot of people do it, including many of Vick's relatives and friends. It's no big deal to them. Any more than chicken fights or smacking your wife.
I would say if Vick has seen the light, and signs a writ not to abuse any dogs in Canada, we should welcome him with open arms to the CFL (I think they could use him in Regina 
Dog Fighting, Theft, Giving Herpes, Giving Middle Fingers to people who boo him in the stands, and importing drugs... Is it wrong to refuse to welcome him with open arms?
Those are just some of the things he was caught doing. Who knows what else he has done.
A lot of people in his hometown shoot people, and are involved in gang activity. Does it make them excusable?
It is interesting both ro and fyb agree we shouldn't be idolizing sports figures and famous people....you two were the first to point that we make them role models. They are only role models if you want to them be.
I am sure if you are talking to your children you can explain to them the difference between idolizing something and appreciating what that person does on the field and/or the movie screen. Or maybe it is just easier to let them be.
We dont want him here either!
I guess you missed the part where he plead guilty
The problem is that it is against the law in the Country that he lives in.
Is that because he can play football that we should welcome him with open arms? How about murderers and rapists? Should we welcome them as well?
No not murderers or rapists but bank robbers should be OK.
Kidnappers?
Petty thieves?
Sorry keep all the criminals on their side of the border regardless as to whether or not they can play football. The US wont let you into their country if you have a criminal record.
But we cant stop others from making them role models can we?
And who says we dont?
who is saying Michael Vick is a role model...defininitely not me....he is just some average guy who made a mistake....and should be treated as such.
I am sure if you are talking to your children you can explain to them the difference between idolizing something and appreciating what that person does on the field and/or the movie screen. Or maybe it is just easier to let them be.I can, but I am not sure if you can, and I care about your children too, they are societies future.
I say you just to make the point. Not really doubting you personally, but everybody else but me, whom I have no control over.
why are you worried about my kids...you should be focussing on what you can control.
I worry about everyone's kids...it's reasonable to show concern for the people who will be running our country when we're older, just as it's reasonable to look out for them.
He would have trouble getting into, and staying, in Canada.
As someone who has been convicted of an offense that carries a potential penalty of 5 years' imprisonment or more (even though he was sentenced to 23 months), he's ineligible to enter Canada, get a work visa, or permanent residency status.
It would take a Minister's Warrant to even have him try out for a team, and in the past Canada has been reluctant to issue Warrants for athletes. Just as the Detroit Red Wings or Bob Probert about that one, although there are many more examples and none, that I know of, were allowed in.
A Minister's Warrant is a formal waiver which must be signed and endorsed by the Minister of Immigration, and renewed constantly. If Vick gets into any trouble while he's here, that politician has just created political suicide.
All I can say is, if you want Vick for your team, I hope the Minister of the day is a football fan and I hope he keeps his job longer than the average 1 or 2 years. And I hope you can convince your GM that building your offense around a guy that could be shipped south at any moment is a good football move.
Good luck with that. After you cross that hurdle, you can start addressing whether a guy his age who has been out of football as long as he will have been by the time he's off parole (can't leave the USA until he is) is a good fit for any team, and then you can get to work on the PR nightmare for your team, the cancelled Season Tickets, and the other issues that go along with that.
And that's before the first workout. He's still got to show something in practice and on the field.
Can you say "longshot"?
Hey, if you want to start lobbying your GM right now, here's an assignment: make a plan for the PR department of your team to counter this quote:
" ... After working on the case...working with the dogs..I have no sympathy for Michael Vick at all. To see the crime scene first hand...Blood stained walls..Syringes laying everywhere....One pitbull has all his teeth pulled..ALL OF THEM...There is so much that the public is unaware of. You can only draw a true judgement when you know all the facts. For me...seeing those animals...The conditions they were living..They were terrified of us humans...Imagine that! They had been so beaten down by Bad Newz Kennels associates, that I will never forget any of their faces.. ..."
Second chances are for people who make an HONEST mistake and are truly sorry for the wrong they committed.
Choosing to allow (and promote) the barbaric and inhumane fighting,torture and killing of innocent animals KNOWING FULL WELL that it is immoral and against the law only deserves the fullest prison sentence and to NEVER,NEVER,NEVER, play professional football AGAIN!!!
Given the popularity of so-called sports like MMA, I can’t see a little blood splattered on the wall as much of a PR issue. Michael Vick would almost certainly INCREASE ticket sales and TV ratings. That should pretty much end the “nightmare” for the PR department.
It is true that it would be difficult for Vick to obtain a visa to even enter Canada, but not as difficult by half as you make it sound.
In fact a number of athletes with criminal records are allowed to enter the country each and every year. The problem a guy like Probert had, was he needed to enter the country for one day, then leave again, requiring a constant renewal of the visa. Had he merely come to Canada and stayed, he would have been able to do so. He is after all a Canadian citizen.
Anyway, it is far more likely that Vick will get another shot at playing in the NFL than that he will ever come to Canada. I doubt he will.
The issue remains though–if he were available, and wanted to, should he be allowed to. How difficult that might be is actually irrelevant…
Thank you. You just made my point. Ever heard of Barbaro. He was a horse died as a result of racing. Please explain why this is not barbaric and inhumane. I am not arguing its illegal. Lets debate the humane part.