The public apology of professional football player Michael Vick regarding his involvement in an illegal dogfighting operation is raising skepticism among conservatives and the media.
-
(Photo: AP Images / Steve Helber)Atlanta Falcons football player Michael Vick makes a statement after pleading guilty to a federal dogfighting charge in Richmond, Va., Monday, Aug. 27, 2007.
While he took "full responsibility" for his actions, pleading guilty to a federal charge of conspiracy and involvement in the killing of at least six dogs, the Atlanta Falcons' star quarterback went further to say he has found Jesus.
"I'm upset with myself and, you know, through this situation I found Jesus and asked him for forgiveness and turned my life over to God," he said in a statement on Monday. "I think that's the right thing to do as of right now."
Not everyone was convinced.
"The statement that Michael Vick has found Jesus is laughable," said the Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson in a statement on Tuesday. "Like other celebrities before him, Vick is evoking Jesus' name to stop the criticism and gain public sympathy. True believers recognize the hypocrisy in what he's doing."
"'Jesus' is the most abused name in black America and Vick is following a long line of abusers," the conservative radio talk show host continued. "We can no longer allow celebrities and politicians to break laws and then use 'Jesus' as a get-out-of-jail free card. Most of these people go right back into their bad behavior and criminal activities as soon as the storm passes."
Another skeptic of Vick's sincerity, Tim Wildmon, president of the conservative American Family Association, posed on a less harsh note, "You wonder, what's the motivation for making a public statement? Is it sincere, or are they doing it to gain something from it?
"It gets personal in trying to understand someone's faith at times so they may say the right things, but you don't really know what they mean by it," said Wildmon, according to Cybercast News Service.
Vick had made continuous references to his Christian faith throughout his football career in statements and his touchdown signal of pointing to the sky, which for many athletes signifies their thanks to God.
And while FoxNews.com's vice president and executive producer, Mike Straka, had been expecting it, he was surprised to have heard Vick profess "finding Jesus" before imprisonment.
"It took Paris Hilton a few hours in the slammer before she met Jesus, and Vick does it even before lockup. Who knew?" wrote Straka.
The Vick case began in late April when authorities seized dozens of dogs, some injured, and equipment commonly used in dogfighting from Vick's home. The authorities were conducting a drug investigation of Vick's cousin when they raided the football star's property.
In his plea, Vick apologized for initially lying about his involvement in illegal dogfighting and expressed regret for being a poor example to all his young fans. Vick pleaded guilty after his three co-defendants eventually pleaded guilty.
The pro-football star could go to prison for one to five years. His sentence will be handed down on Dec. 10.
Vick has already been suspended indefinitely by the NFL. Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank and Falcons general manager Rich McKay refused to say whether Vick would ever play for the Falcons again, according to The Associated Press. A Gallup poll found that a majority of NFL fans say Vick should never play again in the NFL.
Many fans, however, still showed support for the quarterback, whom they described as an electrifying player.
"I want to apologize to all the young kids out there for my immature acts," said Vick. "What I did was very immature, so that means I need to grow up. I totally ask for forgiveness and understanding as I move forward to bettering Michael Vick the person, not the football player. I take personal responsibility for my actions."
Comments
Even if he's 100% sincere, this is not a good time to be seeing "Christian" and "Michael Vick" in the same sentence. (It is possible, because people do turn to Jesus at the lowest points in their lives, which he is at.) I agree, the public statement is what makes it seem insincere. If he's found solace great. I don't need to know about it.
Vick didnt "find" anything. He just got busted, and is trying to cover his behind. This is purely a PR stunt, and frankly, a pretty weak one. I cant beleive this fools anyone.
And all y'all got to see the fruit displayed these past few days...He just got busted for possession of marijuana. He of all people should know...just because you wear a jersey doesn't mean you're a player. And just because you say "I've found Jesus" mean that you're a Christian.
We all have thorns and temptations, and history to overcome.... I'm just saying that through the Holy Spirit, you become a new creation, you are supposed to be transformed. It's looking like that didn't really take place. He just said the words and hoped it'd change, or that society would go easy on him. Really, if you don't believe in God, what is there to lose in saying that you've found Jesus? Nothing! What is there to lose by really believing and saying that you've found Jesus???? Everything. I don't see Vick giving up anything. I see God taking, but not Vick giving. God will not be mocked :)
Mr. Texan :), how can we forgive Michael Vick you ask. Ask the people that forgave you for the mistakes you made or are making on your journey called "life". I ask you; how long should one be forced to pay for a mistake? Mr. Vick will have his day in court and a sentence will be imposed. This is bigger than Michael Vick in my opinion
we do not no if mike vick found JESUS or not, and to say JESUS is the most abuse name in black america is a SIN it self, self righteous is a SIN REV L PETERSON, read psalm : 139 :23 Search me, O GOD, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts 24 : and see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting... what where you doing when you found JESUS ! ? O MY GOD WE HAVE SO MUCH TO LEARN ABOUT OUR HEAVENLY FATHER AMEN.......
Some great brothers and sisters in Christ posting.......let's wait and see if this fig tree bears figs.
Yes we are to forgive Vick but in the same stroke he must also pay for his actions. For christians Christ was the payment for our actions but give to caesar what is caesars and give to God what is Gods. Vic must still be be accountable for his actions. That is up to the judge and vic :p
It is interesting. compare Michael vick and how the media and court system to Mary winkler. Shes out of jail already. Serving less than 90 days after being found guilty of murdering her husband by shooting him in the back of the head. It will be interesting to see his sentence, I bet if will be intirely diffrent since he doesnt have the feminist agenda suporting him.
who are we to questian michael vick?if you take away the fame(infamy?) ,money,and adoration of millions of football fans,he is just a man who is watching his world crumble.what state were most of us christians in when we made the choice to accept Jesus as our savior?if he ask for forgiveness we are to give it 70 x7 times.if he stumbles in his walk we are to pray for his restoration.we must remember that even peter denied Christ 3 times in a night.i'm not saying this as a fan of mr.vick,in fact i often thought that he carried himself as a thug or wanna be gangster.i am saying this as a christian who is commanded to love and accept a new brother into my christian family.
I will say this that every decision and choice we make in life there comes consequences. I believe that God punishes us when we choose to sin. In Romans 13:2 it reads "Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God and those who resist will bring judgement on themselves. Yes Mike will get to go to Heaven he will also get to go to pay his dues! ?You reap what you sow. We all need to pray for him and our prayer should be that God will lead Him, guide Him and protect Him. The Apostle Paul killed Christians before He met Jesus Christ and when He accepted Christ and His calling he got to go to jail.
Praise the Lord that He showed Himself real to Michel Vick!! It really upsets me when so called Christians judge others especially when God tells us not to in Matthew 7:1-5. Whenever someone says they accepted Christ we need to encourage them and love them lik Jesus does!! The whole part of being a Child of God is to be like God.
Have believers in Christ gotten so jaded that they can treat this confession of faith with ridicule and skepticism?!? Oh that we'd heed the words of Christ - "...that whosoever believes in Me shalll not perish but have everlasting life." Are we to judge the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? What arrogance is this among those who name the name of Christ!! If Michael Vick has received Christ as his Lord and Savior, let it be. God will judge the quick and the dead. And did not Jesus say that "..not everyone who says Lord, Lord, will enter the Kingdom of Heaven." Believers, you run the risk of having Jesus say to you "I never knew you."
Let's stop with this cultural nonsense!! Believers have so enmeshed themselves with the Hollywood and sports culture in this nation that they no longer stand apart but have fallen for the lie and deception that's around us. We need to continue to stand in the Biblical faith of Hebrews Chapter 11. You know, those who seek a kingdom that is yet to come. Those who confessed that here they had no continuing city, and that they were pilgrims and strangers on the earth. It may be that Michael Vick will be in glory some day, and those who castigate Vick now or cast vicious aspersions on his character and confession of faith have more to fear than if he was insincere.
Let's grow up, believers!!! Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand!!!
I agree with summathetes. I am not going to go jumping for joy until he "produces fruit in keeping with repentance" (Matthew 3:8). Jesus said we would know people by their fruit (which last time I checked, grew on the OUTSIDE of the tree), and that not everyone who says "Lord, Lord" will enter the kingdom of Heaven ... only those who DO THE WILL OF THE FATHER (Matthew 7:16-21). The Apostle Paul also told us that we ABSOLUTELY ARE TO JUDGE THOSE INSIDE THE CHURCH (1 Corinthians 5:9-13).
Considering Vick cut a plea deal (in which he only admits to conspiracy), instead of confessing everything, I can't say that I see any good fruit on his tree. Real, genuine repentance has to begin with CONFESSING THE WHOLE TRUTH, not cutting a deal so you won't go to jail for very long and so that you can keep playing football.
"If anyone is without sin, please cast the first stone! "
Oh, please. It's not about the fact that none of us are perfect. Shouldn't you be more concerned with the standard bandying about of Jesus' name when a public figure gets caught red-handed and has to save face quickly? Already, people are forgiving him, conveniently forgetting the horrific blood sport that he's labeled an "immature mistake." Those dogs were bred to tear each other apart, and the losers were (sometimes personally by Vick) inhumanely brutalized and killed.
But that's OK, because he might have found Jesus. So let's forget about what treatment of animals says about the character of a person, and since we're all not worthy, how could we possibly judge VIck? *sigh*
If his statement of faith is legit, then great! If his statement is not, well, then he has a huge issue to deal with! I have no problem with anyone's public statement of acknowledging Jesus Christ- I pray that his is a real prfession of faith and not a statement of fear.