Thursday, December 24, 2009

Yesterday, the Philadelphia Eagles announced they had voted the annual team award to backup quarterback and dog killer, Michael Vick.

The According to the Ed Block Foundation Award is meant to recognize courage, commitment to sportsmanship, and community service.Courage award has have been given to an NFL player from each NFL team for a quarter-century. Often, they’re given to players who return from serious injuries or who have overcome personal tragedies or obstacles. Last year, Eagles players voted for long-snapper Jon Dorenbos, whose mother was murdered by his father when he was 12 years old.

But, Michael Vick? Vick’s controversies began when he admitted to bankrolling the “Bad Newz Kennels” dogfighting operation located at his sprawling Virginia estate. He plead guilty after three co-defendants testified to gruesome details of how Vick participated in the killing of more than a hundred dogs and puppies that didn’t perform well in test fights by shooting, hanging, drowning or slamming them to the ground. Vick was convicted of Federal animal cruelty charges and was sentenced to a 23-month sentence. The first 18 months her served at a Leavenworth, KS prison. In short, Vick is a chump ass motherfucker who hardly deserves a prize for courage.

But in case anyone thinks I’m being too hard on Vick, here’s a few previous examples of NFL players who received the Ed Block Courage award.

Richard Collier was a 26-year-old left tackle for the Jacksonville Jaguars when he was the victim of a drive-by shooting last year. The 14 gunshot wounds left him paralyzed and cost him one of his legs. He went from prime-of-life athlete to wheelchair-bound crime victim in one awful moment.

Israel Idonije, whose foundation focuses on promoting education and staying in school for at-risk youths, and who traveled to Africa two years in a row to provide college scholarships. The Chicago Bear’s defensive lineman is the epitome of honor and dignity in professional sport.

The Cleveland Browns chose wide receiver Mike Furrey because of his extensive community work. Furrey, was humbled by the recognition and gave credit to the many less-heralded people whose selflessness isn’t recognized.

Sorry, but bestowing the Courage award on Michael Vick is nothing less short of a travesty.