by Mark Silva
Never mind health-care reform, the economic stimulus, the president's approval ratings or Sarah Palin's unfavorable ratings.
Here's a poll Americans can sink their teeth into:
Sort of like the fighting dogs that football's Michael Vick played before going to prison for it and now returning to the NFL as quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Most football fans surveyed -- 57 percent-- agree with the NFL commissioner's decision to allow Vick to return to the field. Just 36 percent of the fans surveyed by the Marist Poll disagree.
Just not on their team.
When fans are asked if they would want Vick to join their favorite professional football team, 53 percent say no, and only 37 percent say yes. That could make it hard for Vick in his newest assignment: 62 percent of fans living in the Northeast say they would not want Vick quarterbacking for their beloved team.
Most of all Americans surveyed -- 53 percent -- also believe that sports players who have been convicted of a crime should be allowed to return to the sport after serving their time. Only three in ten say they should be banned from the sport.
Men are more accepting: 64 percent of men, as opposed to 42 percent of women, say convicted athletes should be allowed to "show their athletic prowess again'' after prison.
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The survey of 938 U.S. residents was conducted Aug. 3-6 and the margin of error for the overall poll is 3.2 percent.
There were 526 football fans in the mix, with a 4.5 percent margin of error - not enough for a first down, but good enough for a poll.
(Michael Vick of the Philadelphia Eagles is pictured at a press conference today. Vick signed a one-year contract, with a second year option, with the Eagles. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)
Comments
Go Vick Go! I'm an Atlantan and I hope the Eagles spank the Falcons really good just one time b/c personally, I think the whole dog-fighting thing was blown just a little bit out of proportion. Great blog you have here.
Posted by: Refried Ramblings | August 14, 2009 10:35 PM
Hmmm, Mark, you still have to mention Sarah Palin? Does your wife know about your lust for her?
Anyway, interesting poll. While I believe the guy is scum, he did serve his time and deserves a second chance. Hopefully he is sincere about rebuilding his rep and making up for his stupid, cruel actions in the past. If he is sincere and since he served his time, then he deserves the second chance.
Posted by: John D | August 14, 2009 10:48 PM
Since this is an issue I care about only peripherally -- I don't follow sports at all -- why is anyone spending money polling on it?
Really. Where were the polls about whether or not fill-in-the-blank criminal should have been able to go back to their sport. How many accused sportsmen rapists are roaming around making millions without a single poll result printed?
Posted by: evie | August 15, 2009 12:42 AM
How low can Football get?
Posted by: Inky | August 15, 2009 6:52 AM
Guard you Beagle, Vick is an Eagle.
Posted by: Terry | August 15, 2009 8:32 AM
Let those without sin, cast the first stone. As terrible as the blood sport is, we do worse things to animals and we seem to be able to sleep pretty well, at night. If the man is sincere in is regrets and is willing to change his ways, give him the benefit of the doubt. He didn't kill or maim anyone. I wish him well and hope that he has seen the error of his ways.
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, IL | August 15, 2009 8:39 AM
I really don't mean to preach, but...,what Michael Vick did
to those poor animals was
absolutely terrible. That being
said he said he was sorry he
paid and enormous price and
now its time to forgive him and
go on with life. Let us not forget
to error is human and to forgive
is divine.
Posted by: Paul | August 15, 2009 9:24 AM
Ah Mark, it is nice to know that he did not show up on my beloved Bears roster! I just can not wait to watch what happens if he every makes it into the "dog pound" end zone of the Browns. Now that would be a highlight. Been out of touch with the Swamp...so how is Obama's poll numbers holding up? Not so good, huh. Oh well, maybe you could figure a new "spin" to enlighten us on his rapid decline in approval as well as why his WH handlers let him continue to destroy his credibility as he speaks without the TelePrompTer and lays a host of disingenuous, distorted facts concerning Obamacare and how it will affect the average American. Any thoughts on why the American folks have now turned into a "mob" of Democracy? As always, the "fishy" dude!
Posted by: bubba Porter | August 15, 2009 10:06 AM
Hmmm, I wonder "refried ramblings" truly is an Atlantan and not one of our resident loons like John E?
But I certainly would not classify Vick going to prison as being "blown out of proportion." The man committed crimes, legally and crimes of humanity. For that, he got what he deserved, though perhaps he deserved more prison time. Having said that, he still deserves his second chance.
Posted by: John D | August 15, 2009 10:53 AM
It seems a bit odd to me. A man cheats on his wife it is held against him forever. Kill a few dogs.....put a bumper on your car saying you support PAWS.....and all is forgiven.
Posted by: bill r. | August 15, 2009 2:51 PM
billy r, the reason it is so "odd to me" is because liberalism has that effect of selective compassion for only those like-minded. Have you noted the massive privacy issues at peril with your liberal Obama/Pelosi/Dem care? Have you checked out the proposed new powers against you given to the IRS. Your rights are being trashed and I bet you are still sprouting liberal kool aide. Be informed, join the angry "mob"!
Posted by: bubba Porter | August 15, 2009 10:26 PM
The only way Michael Vick can redeem himself is by donating at least half of his 6.8 million dollar contract to the Humane Society and accompany them to locations where they scrape up the remains of dogs that lost a fight and have been heniously electrocuted by their owners. Then he can be responsible for trying to rehabilitate the rest who have been starved, beaten and made to drag heavy chains around their necks to make them stronger fighters. Then he can cry and beg for forgiveness. After that he can speak in schools holding a kitten in his arms and teaching children why it's so important to respect all living things. Then he can donate to the veterans who come home without limbs or a sound mind. If not, may he never become a parent. God forbid.
Posted by: Lian Martin | August 16, 2009 3:38 AM
Since everything is about race these days, could this poll be racial, too? It's seems kind of like the old saying, "I think blacks should have equality. Oh, but don't let them move into my neighborhood.
Posted by: not on my team | August 16, 2009 6:17 AM
bubba.......Thank God there is no "selective compassion" on your part. Please inform us "liberals" (as if this was a political issue) which life is expendable for a little human entertainment?
Posted by: bill r. | August 16, 2009 10:17 AM
Not on My Team,
According to one of the biggest race baiters there is, Rev Jesse Jackson, its all about race. As the Rev makes the comparision of Michael Vick and Jackie Robinson.
Posted by: Terry | August 16, 2009 2:11 PM
Why does Michael Vick have to go through a series of mea culpas and tearful apologies (not to mention a prison sentence) for torturing dogs, and Dick Cheney does not even face an investigation for torturing people?
Posted by: BC | August 16, 2009 2:53 PM
BC,
Would you like to see Bill Clinton seated next to Dick Cheney?
http://www.aclu.org/safefree/extraordinaryrendition/22203res20051206.html
Posted by: Terry | August 16, 2009 8:43 PM
Vick should run for Congress as a Republican - they love denying scandals. Right Mr, Vitter, Craig, Sanford, Ensign, Foley,,, on and on,,,,
Posted by: Gus | August 17, 2009 9:46 AM
Gus,
My guess is if Mr. Vick voted, he was a BO fan.
Posted by: Terry | August 18, 2009 7:35 PM
"Vick" as in "sick".
Posted by: ornery | August 18, 2009 11:29 PM
Yeah, ya heard right.
That was a play on "Veeck as in Wreck", an old neighbor's biograpy.
Posted by: ornery | August 18, 2009 11:41 PM