Michael Vick has collared a reality show bid with BET called “The Michael Vick Project,” which will supposedly chronicle his attempts to make good with his family and the public after his fall from grace.
I personally can’t believe any network that takes itself seriously would become involved in something like this. I can understand and applaud the Humane Society for their risky move to utilize him in their plight to curb inner city dog fighting. But to launch a for-profit business venture that will essentially use the controversy as a money magnet seems unconscionable.
Yes, I believe in the concept of American justice: you pay your debt to society, and you should be given a second chance. The problem is that he has already been given a MAJOR second chance by the NFL and the Philadelphia Eagles—isn’t that enough?
Some have even speculated that the deal may have been born while he was behind bars—that they actually could have begun negotiations before his release.
As can be expected, PETA is not behind the move. Spokesman Dan Shannon said:
“People who abuse animals don’t deserve to be rewarded. They shouldn’t be given multimillion-dollar contracts … or given the privilege of being a role model.”
I suppose the move is a wise one for Vick, however, given that it will provide him the chance to frame his side of the story. Rather than let the public sit back and assume that his 18 month slap on the wrist was nothing to him, this show may give him the chance to prove that his mistake was a costly one, both financially and emotionally (although I have my doubts about the latter).
I wouldn’t be surprised if the show is well received. There was hardly a “boo” in the stadium when Vick took his first snap as an Eagle. In fact, the fans even chanted for him to be put back in the game after he was swapped out. Also, soon after his return, Nike began giving the quarterback free apparel to wear while on the field, but stopped short of signing a new deal with him.
The show is set to air early next year. I’ll conveniently be walking my dog when it comes on.
You’ve got to watch the video below of Jim Rome’s take on Michael Vick’s BET reality show, which he calls “a desperation cash grab.” You go Jim!