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I saw that too...first thing I thought of? Darwin...
Vick wins Eagles' courage award
By ROB MAADDI (AP) – 4 hours ago
PHILADELPHIA — Michael Vick's peers appreciate his tough journey back to the NFL.
Vick won the Ed Block Courage Award, voted on by his teammates on the Philadelphia Eagles. The once-disgraced star quarterback returned to the league after spending 18 months in a federal prison for his role in a dogfighting ring.
"It means a great deal to me," Vick said Wednesday. "I was voted unanimously by my teammates. They know what I've been through. I've been through a lot. It's been great to come back and have an opportunity to play and be with a great group of guys. I'm just ecstatic about that and I enjoy every day."
A three-time Pro Bowl pick in six seasons with Atlanta, Vick has played sparingly with the Eagles. He has two touchdowns rushing and one passing in 12 games.
The Ed Block Award honors players who exemplify commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage. All 32 NFL teams select a recipient, and each winner will be honored at an awards ceremony in Baltimore on March 9.
"I've overcome a lot, more than probably one single individual can handle or bear," Vick said. "You ask certain people to walk through my shoes, they probably couldn't do. Probably 95 percent of the people in this world because nobody had to endure what I've been through, situations I've been put in, situations I put myself in and decisions I have made, whether they have been good or bad.
"There's always consequences behind certain things and repercussions behind them, too. And then you have to wake up every day and face the world, whether they perceive you in the right perspective, it's a totally different outlook on you. You have to be strong, believe in yourself, be optimistic. That's what I've been able to do. That's what I display."
The Eagles were criticized by animal rights activists for signing Vick less than a month after he was released from prison. Dozens of protesters voiced their outrage outside the team's practice facility the day after Vick was signed, and many fans threatened to give up their tickets.
But Vick got a warm reception in his first game with the Eagles and by most accounts has been a model citizen off the field.
The animal rights group, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, issued a statement reprimanding the Eagles for giving Vick the award.
"The Philadelphia Eagles fumbled when they gave Michael Vick the Ed Block Courage Award, which was named after a man who advocated in behalf of abused children," the PETA statement read. "Michael Vick should not be the person anyone points to as a model of sportsmanship, even though he has now exchanged dogs for touchdowns after serving time for extreme cruelty to animals. We wish him well in educating others, but this is not appropriate and does not mark a joyous moment in NFL history."
Vick has spent time working with the Humane Society of the United States, speaking to school and community groups about the mistakes he made in getting involved in dogfighting.
"It was a big obstacle proving I'm worthy of a second chance," Vick said. "It doesn't stop here. I have to continue to prove that. I think it's not going to be a day-to-day process, it's going to be a year-in, year-out process. It's a challenge to myself. The thing I told (NFL commissioner) Roger (Goodell) is that four or five years from now, I'm going to come to him and say, 'Everything I told you I was going to do, I'm still doing it.' And that's what I pride myself on and that's my focus and that's my goal."
Quarterback Donovan McNabb called the award "well-deserved."
"Congratulations to him for straightening his life around and bettering himself as a human being," coach Andy Reid said. "He's obviously very well-respected by his teammates."
Seriously? You're gonna give a guy a courage award for coming back from being a dog killer and illegal gambling operation runner?
I saw that too...first thing I thought of? Darwin...
peta needs to get a ing life... for reals... how long are they gonna on mike vick?
Man, it takes so much courage to be an NFL player and make millions of dollars based primarily on genetically gifted talent. He's a regular Dalai Lama.
I despise the Eagles as much as anybody but its time to give the man a break.
Agreed!
Vick is a POS on the Kobe-level..he fits in very well in Philly's classless city..
I'm not blaming Vick in this, he's a felon who did his time and is trying to play again. That's cool. I'm saying the Eagles players are such ing re s that they're gonna give the felon a ing courage award. That's like giving a chas y award to Katie Morgan. What a bunch of clowns.
I wanted to see the footage of Eagles fans booing the McNabb draft pick, but then I stumbled upon this little gem. Two things here - (1) McNabb does some borderline gay looking stuff as he playfully attacks the ref, and (2) I didn't realize just how closely he was following the Jamarcus Russell fitness plan back then.
I have a big problem with the statement. 95% of the people couldn't walk through you shoes? GMAFB.
What about this guy?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34467096/
So you came from the projects...so what? We've heard the "It was rough where I came up and football kept me out of trouble" story a hundred times. I'm so sorry that you were worshiped in college and had huge endorsement deals in the NFL. I'm sorry that you got caught doing something you knew was wrong. I'm sorry that you spent a measly 18 months in prison and still get to make millions after you get out. You only lost 4 of your 6 homes...damn...I don't know anyone who could handle that.
If Vick would have been humble in receiving this award I might have a little more respect for him...but his response is equal to a spoiled child that has had all of it's toys taken away, gets a lot of them back and then tries to compare his pain to those who have never had anything.
Seriously Vick...I've tried to give you the benefit of the doubt, but it's obvious you haven't learned a single lesson. I hope you up again and get kicked out of the NFL for good.
I agree about Philly sucking. Philly sucks so bad they tried to frame Marvin Harrison for a shooting and the case got dismissed for lack of evidence.
But dude paid the price for his crimes already. I'd say he's earned the right to not be on by everyone anymore.
, 95 percent of people couldn't walk through my shoes and handle it.
Vick has every right to say that.
What the is he doing? Why are his shorts so short? You gotta know Michael Strahan has seen this...and enjoyed it.
Damn! What a fat ass McNabb is. He looks like Glen Davis in basketball getup.
You can't blame Vick for an award given to him....
BUT, you can blame him for those stupid ing words he used after he got the award. "No one could walk through my shoes, blah blah blah" What a ing joke. What an idiot.
I read an article regarding the Vick courage award that mentioned DeSean Jackson lost his dad to pancreatic cancer in the offseason. Its a very painful cancer to endure and if you get it, it has a less than 5 % survival rate. He and his dad were very close. He has had live with the grief the entire season while posting a pro-bowl type season.
You'd think Desean is more deserving than Vick.
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