Michael Vick to be honored as a “hero” by arts organization in home state of Virginia

Well, it seems the days of Michael Vick being a lightning rod for controversy are not yet over. The Southeastern Virginia Arts Association (or SEVAA; a prestigious association to be sure) has announced that Vick will be honored at their annual Black Tie Gala, because he is a “hero” and “a true example of life success for all to emulate.” Well yeah, all of us with 4.4 speed and a rocket-powered arm, maybe.

“Michael D. Vick has epitomized the meaning of ‘hero’ not only by his unparalleled accomplishments on the gridiron, but more importantly, by his relentless resilience in overcoming the obstacles he has faced in his career”

Ah, of course, overcoming all those obstacles. What disease did Michael Vick have again? Wait, no, that’s not right. It must have been when he signed as an undrafted free agent out of college, and had to work his way onto the team, against all the odds. Hmm no, that doesn’t sound right either.

The truth of the matter is Michael Vick was a major-time college football star who signed a contract guaranteeing him millions before he ever threw a pass in the NFL. The only “obstacle” he’s had to overcome in his career is his own morbid love of fighting dogs. Excuse me if my eyes don’t get a little misty at him finally conquering that one.

It’s true that everyone loves a redemption story until it comes time for the protagonist to actually, you know, redeem himself, and yes, since being sent to federal prison and having his financial stability and career taken away, Mike Vick has been a law-abiding citizen who has worked hard to regain his good graces in his professional community and the eyes of NFL fans (though certainly not all of them). He served his sentence and shouldn’t have to carry water for his crimes forever, but to go so far as to call him a hero and frame his situation as that of one overcoming true, legitimate obstacles in their life is dishonest at best, and at worst, an outright affront to anyone who has ever had to conquer something a little more serious than their own penchant to mutilate pets. We’ve cheapened a lot in contemporary society, let’s not add the word “hero” to the list. Positive example? For many, yes. Hero? For anyone with a brain, absolutely not.

It’s all about keeping the right perspective, which is something you would expect an organization of the arts to understand.

“Since he was released from federal custody, Michael has been more than an example of how to redirect your life after troubled times” said SEVAA president Michael Muhammad.

“You say controversial, I say inspirational.”

Then again, maybe not. May I suggest the equally inspirational “Dogs Playing Poker” painting series as the perfect visual accoutrement for the evening’s theme? I mean, it’s an association of the arts, and the idea is overcoming obstacles, right? Those pooches play poker despite not having thumbs! What bigger obstacle is there than that?

Oh, right. To gain “hero” status in the eyes of SEVAA, they would have just had to kill themselves first.

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VA Arts Org To Honor Inspirational Hero Vick [SPORTSbyBROOKS]