what the heck- really? ...

PETA Upset With Vick's Courage Award

PHILADELPHIA (AP) --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 Philidelphia Eagles, after 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. Each of the 32 NFL teams selects a recipient.

"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 (it). 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 Donavan 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."

Who wants to hear my reaction?. well who cares if ya don't. cause here it is. The award is given to one member of every NFL team, this should really piss off the other guys who got this award, they earned it either through intense volunteer work or coming back from major injury. He is evil. and therefore should not get this award. and it just pisses me off that he got it. maybe in ten years when he has proven he changed for real then yeah give it to him. BUT REALLY he basically still has his stripes on for all i care about. GRRRRR and if i see one more person in this area sporting either of his jersey's i might just punch them in the mouth. and the grin he is sporting up above i would LOVE to wipe of his fuckface.

a must read...

A Shelter Dog's Christmas Poem

‘Tis the night before Christmas and all through the town,

every shelter is full - we are lost but not found,

Our numbers are hung on our kennels so bare,

we hope every minute that someone will care,

They'll come to adopt us and give us the call,"

Come here, Max and Sparkie - come fetch your new ball!!

But now we sit here and think of the days..

We were treated so fondly - we had cute, baby ways,

Once we were little, then we grew and we grew;

now we're no longer young and we're no longer new.

So out the back door we were thrown like the trash,

they reacted so quickly - why were they so rash?

We "jump on the children:,"don't come when they call",

we "bark when they leave us", climb over the wall.

We should have been neutered,

we should have been spayed,

now we suffer the consequence of the errors THEY made.

If only they'd trained us, if only we knew...

we'd have done what they asked us and worshiped them, too.

We were left in the backyard, or worse -let to roam;

now we're tired and lonely and out of a home.

They dropped us off here and they kissed us good-bye..."

Maybe someone else will give you a try."

So now here we are, all confused and alone...

in a shelter with others, who long for a home.

The kind workers come through with a meal and a pat,

with so many to care for, they can't stay to chat,

They move to the next kennel,giving each of us cheer...

we know that they wonder how long we'll be here.

We lay down to sleep and sweet dreams fill our heads..

of a home filled with love and our own cozy beds.

Then we wake to see sad eyes, brimming with tears;

our friends filled with emptiness, worry, and fear.

If you can't adopt us and there's no room at the Inn;

could you help with the bills and fill our food bin?

We count on your kindness each day of the year;

can you give more than hope to everyone here?

Please make a donation to pay for the heat...

and help get us something special to eat.

The shelter that cares for us wants us to live,

and more of us will, if more people will give.

~Author Unknown~