Michael Vick

We had several calls on Michael Vick and his dog problems on our radio show on News Radio 1620 AM recently. Feelings are mixed. Some say he should be put in jail for life, and some say that he should be banned from the NFLfor a year, forgive him and move on and some say that Mr. Vick, former All-Pro quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons, be "permanently banned from playing in the NFL." Although this story is now months old, this article is not so much about Michael Vick, but more about BEHAVIOR.

Vick made several mistakes throughout his life, and while we all committed indiscretions along the way, the notoriety of well-known personalities exacerbates (yes, sometimes I use big words) the issue. His younger brother had the same problems and was banned from college football at Virginia Tech. A crime is a crime is a crime. However, do professional athletes have to hold themselves to a higher level? Of course they do! Shouldn't we all? "Above reproach" comes to mind. What then, caused a highly visible athlete to "fall from grace?" Do we blame parents and/or guardians? How responsible are his teachers and coaches, as he went through his education? To those that are given much, much is expected.

It's been my experience as a parent, teacher and coach that, while I felt responsible for a student/player under my direction, my good advice sometimes didn't "take." On the other side of that coin, I am proud of those that I taught/coached who, coming from an environment similar to Vick's, proved to be outstanding citizens and athletes. Where does the credit for good behavior really lie? Completely on the shoulders of that person, that's where!

I totally believe that Vick's parents, teachers, and guardians noticed poor behavior traits in his personality as he traveled across their paths. Yet, whatever guidance was attempted, didn't take. Who then did Michael listen to that led him down this path of destruction? Perhaps the answer is "friends." Somehow his self-esteem/selfrespect was not strong enough to see the future and evaluate what the right direction needed to be. He is not alone in that area.

It often starts when young people are allowed to get away with deception, lying and seemingly little things. When the psychological study is done on Vick, I believe it will be revealed that his detestable behavior didn't start with dog fighting, but started with "little things" that he got away with. I know! I was a kid that had such "friends" while I was a teen. I got a second chance and I made good with it. I would never mistreat an animal, but I sure was doing things I should not have been doing. I was headed down a path straight to prison. A football coach made the difference in my life and I spent the rest of my football career, both high school and college, making him right!

The point is, don't let the little things go unpaid for. Nip bad behavior in the bud. My momma didn't have any problems "making it take." She spent her entire adult life making sure that "it took" with her five children, even if she had to use a 2x4 to make it "take" with! Don't let the little things slide, or the child will will slide right away from you and all of society.

Just thought you'd like to know...