Until recently, America has had two separate codes of justice – one for the average citizen and a more lenient one for celebrities, politicians and professional athletes. The sentencing of Michael Vick to 23 months in prison for dog fighting is just another indication that the tide is quickly turning.
Judges are finally sending out the message that celebrities and professional athletes are ordinary citizens and not above the law. Illegal activities they freely chose to engage in – whether it involve drugs, gambling, assault or dog fighting – and are convicted of, will receive the same sentence as any ordinary American would.
It’s about time. The celebrity status of professional athletes doesn’t entitle them to any special rights, privileges or treatment under the law. In fact, if anything, the courts should automatically give all celebrities the maximum sentence for any misdemeanor or felony they commit.
Professional athletes and celebrities have an ethical and moral responsibility as role models for children in our society. They get paid millions of dollars to perform, and very often millions more to endorse products ranging from clothing and cosmetics to food and energy drinks. Many of the products they endorse are targeted mainly to children. By repeatedly getting arrested on DWI and drug charges or engaging in other illegal activities such as dog fighting, they are endorsing their illegal activities and behavior patterns too.
It’s a tragedy that a talented quarterback like Michael Vick would jeopardize his career, income and image by getting involved in a senseless crime like dog fighting.
In 2004, his $130 million contract made him the highest paid athlete in the NFL. With it, came millions in lucrative product endorsements for companies like Nike, Coca-Cola, Kraft, Air Tran and Hasbro. His celebrity status was confirmed in 2005 by being named number 33 on Forbes’ Top 100 Celebrity List.
Air Tran has decided not to renew their contract with Vick. Most likely, Nike Coca-Cola, Kraft, Hasbro and other companies will follow suit, if they haven’t already. Whether or not he will be marketable as an NFL quarterback again remains to be seen. His multi-million dollar career as a celebrity endorser is surely over.
Vick has let down his teammates on the Atlanta Falcons, his fans, and his alma mater Virginia Tech, as well as his family and friends and the entire Atlanta community. Together with other members of his family, he started the Vick Foundation to fund after school programs for “at-risk” students in the greater Atlanta Metro area. He was also active with the United Way in his community. Unfortunately, much of the good he has already accomplished and had the potential to accomplish in the future will be eclipsed and tarnished by dog fighting conviction.
His greatest crime, however, is one he’s committed against the youth of America. As a role model and celebrity endorser, his recent behavior has condoned, endorsed and approved dog fighting. He has essentially made this cruel crime acceptable as sport and entertainment in the minds of children and adolescents. For this, he deserves an even longer sentence, followed by a lengthy probation with extensive community service.
Major League Baseball banned Pete Rose from the sport for life. The NFL needs to get its act together and sternly sanctioning players, coaches or officials who are convicted of criminal activities. Otherwise, the NFL also sends out the wrong message to impressionable young fans.
