In May former Atlanta Falcon Quarterback Michael Vick is being released from prison and will serve out the remainder of his 23 month sentence on home arrest. He is currently suspended from the NFL (though the Commissioner Roger Goodell said he will review his case after his release) and will begin a construction job sometime in the next month or so. Now that he is close to being released, talk has begun as to whether or not Mike Vick should be able to play pro football again.
To answer the question honestly, I have no idea. I’m torn. Playing professional football is a privilege and whether Charles Barkley, Britney Spears or any other American likes it, pro athletes and celebrities are role models.
Side Note on the Role Model Conversation (to “not-a-role model” celebrities): You don’t want to be a role model? Then don’t be on television, the big screen or in music. Don’t sell your name as a brand (to include putting it on a jersey so that kids and adults can wear it on their backs). Yes… you did not ask to be a role model, but I also don’t remember anyone asking if they cared that you didn’t want to be a role model. Any time someone is in a position of authority or fame it puts them in the role model category. Kids want to be Derek Jeter. Kids want to be Kobe Bryant. Kids “want to be like Mike.” So whether they like it or not, kids are WATCHING! If they weren’t watching them, said celebrities would be “that dude Chuck who has mad skills on the court at the YMCA, yo!” or “that sweet girl in church, Britney, who sounds so good singing in the choir!”. So, to the not-a-role model celebrities, stop whining about your pay day, play the game and live in a manner that’s honorable. Whether you like it or not, you are accountable to your fans (aka – the people who pay your salary). I digress…
As I was saying… playing football is a privilege. Playing in front of a national audience and having your name chanted and worn by fans is an honor. Getting paid obscene amounts of money to play a game (or sing a song, or make a movie, etc.) to entertain the masses is a blessing.
What did Mike Vick do with that blessing? He blew his money (as well as used it for wicked causes). He used his name loosely and now it has little to no value. He took his talent and sacrificed it in the name of “fun”. In short… he blew his blessing and left in the wake of his poor decisions are his teammates, the Falcon fans, his family, his career and starry-eyed little kids.
SHOULD HE PLAY AGAIN, THOUGH?
I’m torn. Yes, he blew it; however, he also paid his debt. The last time I checked
I understand the role model aspect of the game, and that he would be getting a second chance at what many consider a lottery of sorts (“he had his million dollar ticket and blew it, why should he get another?”); however, for Christians weighing this question themselves… when does Grace play a part of our decisions? We are all products of second chances. As for the role model conversation - how sweet a lesson is it to not only talk about Grace but actually model it? To be a living example of what it looks like to covet and desire sin, to reap its consequences, to be forgiven and to be used again, but this time for good.
People who have experienced Grace, changed and grown as a person are exactly the sort of examples we want before us (those who are repentant and changed from their experiences). The drug addict who lost it all only to reclaim his life, sober. The crumbling marriage (due to any number of sin issues) that truly forgives one another and works toward reconciliation. The prostitute who sold all that she was for profit and lost her identity, safety, purity and soul in the process, but experiences the loving kindness of the Savior and now seeks to help other working prostitutes off the street. These are but a few examples of people we would willingly welcome to our churches to share their stories of how God changed them and used them for His purposes later.
Or how about Paul, the woman at the well (John 4), Rahab the Prostitute, Abraham, Moses, and Jacob? They are but a few Biblical examples of people who God used in mighty ways, for His purposes, despite their sin.
I’m not saying that’s what God is doing with Michael Vick. What I am saying is that we are so quick to say “he blew it” and blind to how many times we have too.
What do you think?
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1 comments:
I agree with you. Even though sports players and others in the entertainment industry don't want to admit that they are role models, our children are watching them, and many times looking to their example. How they live their life is seen through the world. Those that follow them will see what they do, and unfortunately many of our youth do not have their own discernment to see what is right or wrong, just that their role models are doing something and if they do it, then it is OK for our youth to do it. If you are going to be in the public eye, you need to be aware that people are watching and following you.
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