When NFL commissioner Roger Goodell ruled this week that Michael Vick could return to the NFL with stipulations after the former quarterback served two years in jail for his involvement in a dogfighting ring, some thought Goodell was too harsh; others thought he hit the right balance. Those who were against the commissioner's ruling said that Vick had already paid his debt to society. The other side thought the ruling would be best for Vick because the quarterback could now relearn the game and adjust to a new team.
Overall, I don't really care whether Vick plays again or not. That's the NFL's business. However, I find it odd how people get more upset about Vick and the dogfighting (which is horrible) than the other NFL players who committed crimes (which are sometimes worse).
While driving drunk and speeding earlier this year, Donte Stallworth (Cleveland Browns wide receiver) killed a Miami pedestrian who was trying to catch the bus after work. Stallworth faced a minimum of 4 years in prison and a maximum of 15 years. After pleading guilty, he got a 30 days sentence. He reached this deal so that he could start playing football ASAP. According to the prosecution, he was able to get a lesser sentence because the pedestrian wasn't in a crosswalk. So? He killed someone while driving drunk, and he only gets 30 days in jail?
In 1998 Leonard Little (St Louis defensive end) killed a woman while driving drunk and speeding. His punishment? 90 days in jail. How many games did the NFL suspend him? 8.
Let's compare some of these numbers:
Leonard Little
- killed woman while driving drunk
- 90 days in jail
- 8 game suspension
Donte Stallworth
- killed pedestrian while driving drunk
- 30 days in jail (served only 24 days)
- undetermined suspension though indefinite for now
Jamal Lewis
- involved in drug deal
- 4 months in jail
- 2 game suspension
Michael Vick
- involved in dogfighting
- 2 years in jail
- 32 game suspension (and counting)
Vick deserved a just punishment, but so do those NFL players who killed people. Roger Goodell put himself in a position where he has to be tough on Donte Stallworth. As Howard Bryant said on ESPN.com:
And now the commissioner has opened himself up to hypocrisy sure to come, for clearly the Vick suspension will serve as precedent in perpetuity for every future player infraction. Otherwise, Goodell will look small and vindictive, very much as he does today
The public should be more outraged about manslaughter while drunk driving than dogfighting. People are more important than dogs. However, I find more political cartoons and hateful comments about Vick than Stallworth or Little.
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