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You probably recognize at least one of the guys in the picture above. You probably remember that one of them was sent to prison for dog fighting and other related charges. You probably remember that only 19 months out of the 23 sentenced were served. This man is Michael Vick.
What you probably don’t remember is that the guy you don’t recognize is also an NFL player since 1998. What you also don’t remember is that he was sentenced to 90 days in jail, not prison, for manslaughter. Yes he killed a woman while he was drunk and served 3 months in jail for it. This man is Leonard Little.
Let me preface the rest of my writing by saying that I in no way condone what Vick and his cronies did to dogs. I am not an animal lover but I am not an animal hater either.
What I wish is for people to get off his back about his return to the NFL. He is a football player. That has been his “job” since he was young. He was gifted with a talent to throw the pigskin and run all willy-nilly on teams. If you want to continue to attack him, as a person, then so be it. But do not attack his return to his job. You’re pretty much saying that all criminals should not be able to re-enter the workforce once released from prison/jail.
On top of all this, he has to sit out the first five weeks of the season, roughly 30% of his team’s games after serving 19 months in prison. During that time he was not able to work as an NFL player.
Return to Mr. Little.
He was convicted of manslaughter and served 90 days in jail. He was suspended for half of the next season’s games. For killing a human. I have not seen one article debating why Leonard Little should be able to play in the NFL. I don’t see PETH(People for the Ethical Treatment of Humans, yes I totally made that up) protesting against his career. So essentially, the majority of people are stuck with the equation – Animals > Human.
Let’s also bring into the mix, Donte Stallworth. He, too, killed a human being recently. He is also an NFL player. He will be suspended for this season and reinstated the next season. I really doubt there will be a comparable hub-bub for Stallworth’s return as there is for Vick’s.
