The truth about the bias of the sports fan and the return of Michael Vick

I've racked my brain trying to figure out the connection that some dog lovers have with seeing Michael Vick suffer. Some hardcore realities have set in considering the times that we know live in. First, lets establish that Vick made his own bed. Lets also remember that the guy virtually threw away 130 million dollars. He's lost all of his endorsement and will make peanuts in comparison to what his original contract was.

He lied to his employers about the pending charges, spurning an opportunity to tell the truth when asked. But now that he's out of prison what does that have to do with him picking up the pieces to his life? As a resident of the south, I've always heard that this region was the "bible belt".

Some belt. It's not made out of the genuine leather that most belts have in scripted on the inside. (Let that marinate a little) One of the key lessons that seems to be a recurring theme in the bible, is the notion of "redemption" and "forgiveness". We rarely apply that to public figures because we "worship" them so. Guys like Ray Lewis went through fraternity hazing just to repair his image. He benefited from playing in the league when Paul Tagliabue was the commissioner. But to "Ray Ray's" credit he took responsibility for his actions, virtually making most people forget that horrible incident during Superbowl 34. The dynamic of the position plays a huge role in comparison to Lewis being a linebacker and Vick playing Quarterback. But should that really make much of a difference? NO

Here's the three biggest reason why sports fans are biased in their support for players getting second chances.

1. People support who they Identify with. Michael Vick never really appealed to the "average" sports fan.

On April 21st 2001, Michael Vick got drafted number one overall, ushering in a fear that most people will never admit. Some of Atlanta's fan base was uncomfortable day one with the "image" of Michael Vick. At the time he sported "corn rows", baggy clothes, and an entourage that would make HBO blush. That's why many people in Atlanta loved him. Let's face it that's why some people hated him at hello too. Of course he became a star but to the chagrin of most who wanted to see him fail. Sure we appreciated some of his dazzling exploits on the field but deep down inside we all had an idea that it was only a matter of time before the chickens would home to roost. Maybe you're wondering about this fear that I mentioned.

Mike Vick was hailed as one of the quarterbacks that would finally make the "hybrid" quarterback the norm of the NFL. Most people will never admit it but virtually all of the skill positions on both sides of the ball are dominated by blacks. The quarterback position has been the unspoken holy grail since the leagues inception. Honestly that applies for all levels of the game throughout its history. Sure that sounds like complete hogwash to some but to others that know the under belly of hate in America very well, WE know its true.

2. Feel good comeback stories are only for guys who pass the smell test of "image".

Who can forget the alcoholism of Brett Farve and Kerry Collins?(Actually most people have) Brett Farve is a God to some in the south because he's a good ole country boy. He wears tight wranglers, farms, chews tobacco and loves country music. He's a tough guy that fits the mold of the macho man (not randy savage) who has "survived" life's biggest challenges. The people who "identify" with Farve the most, rarely speak about his past addiction to pain killers and his intense love for booze. Some Farve fans are Rush Limbaugh fans also. They to closely "identify" with Limbaugh. They still faithfully listen to good ole Rush. They didn't bat an eye or turn their radio station when the news came out about his drug abuse. In fact the guy is more popular than ever. See the connection? Sure you do but you'll ignore because you're biased.

Kerry Collins found redemption after being a horrible teammate. He once called one of his teammates a "nigger" and even showed up drunk in a fur coat to the airport before a road game. Kerry's career eventually recovered. He led the 2000 Giants to the Superbowl. After stints with the Oakland Raiders and New Orleans Saints, Collins rebounded yet again, leading the 2008 Tennessee Titans to the playoffs. Not bad for a guy who's had such dark days in his career. A change a scenery and being in a place where people "identify" with you helps out a lot.

Collins is Brett Farve 2.0 in Nashville. I know what you're thinking. Steve McNair was a country boy and we loved him too. Charlie Pride is country singer but most country fans love Hank Williams Jr. more. Just like I love MC Hammer more than Vanilla Ice. For the record, McNair would've never worn tight wrangler Jeans and a cowboy hat. Tight Jeans and hip hop culture don't mix remember. Vick may have a better chance in an NFL city that is desperate for something good to happen and "identifies" with him too. Those cities are San Fransisco, Washington, D.C. Seattle, and Houston.

3. If Michael Vick didn't personally kill or fight our dogs then why are we really that upset? Could it be we're just like him?

Think about it. Most people who are in support of additional suspension time are claiming to be righteous people who believe in "following the rules". In the real world convicted felons don't have to show contrition to an employer. It's an uphill battle for convicts to prove to employers that they've changed but at least they don't have to sit down with the CEO and show "contrition". Contrition should be shown by action and not press conferences. Regular joe blow ex convicts don't get press conferences or baby kissing moments. Sure rich athletes get way with murder(literally) but in Vick's case it was dogs, Not people.

We're no better than his crimes if we take personal satisfaction at seeing him suffer further humiliation and punishment. Sure you don't have children and your pets are your loved ones. I get it but that's a little weird in my book. Criminal behavior in the NFL isn't good P.R. but it is overblown. Out of 1700 NFL players, less than 2% of them get in any real legal trouble. So is it fair to judge the league on 2% percent of the bad while casting aside the majority of the league? Sure let's be cynical for a moment. Some of them may not get caught but can we say the same thing about sports fans who live double lives that might be worthy of jail time. How many drunk people leave NFL stadiums all across the country drunker than Cootey Brown on most Sundays? (Never met Cootey he's Hootie's cousin)

My issue with the decision to suspend Vick is with Goodell's treatment of Spygate. There was enough evidence to suspend Bill Belichick but it didn't happen because the evidence was destroyed. That was straight from the Richard Nixon playbook. Spygate was a case of Goodell abusing executive privilege while protecting his reputation as a no nonsense business "professional" to the public.

Since most of us are sheep we will never make that connection due to our affinity for taking pleasure in seeing certain people "get what they deserve" while executives get a slap on the wrist. The Patriots organization embodied that slap on the wrist. Donte Stallworth, Mike Vick, Matt Jones, Chris Henry, and Tank Johnson were dealt with accordingly but the Patriots got off. That's a microcosm of the morons that defend certain side effects of bad free market capitalism. Is it football season yet?