Class

I gotta say, this all hit me like a tornado. My knee-jerk reaction was "Can I root for the Eagles after this?" I then went searching for every piece of internet fodder I could get my hands on. I began reaching for anything that would tell me this drastic move by my beloved team was alright.

I abhor what Michael Vick did, but I'm no tree-hugging, birkenstock-wearing, hippie-crit. I've had enough pets throughout my life to recognize that animals, especially dogs and cats, have personalities and souls, and what Vick did to torture those poor animals was monstrous. But at the same time, I also eat meat, wear leather, and probably would go hunt deer if given the chance. And it's hypocritical on my part to say killing animals the way Vick did is evil, while killing animals for society-acceptable reasons is not.

Likewise, killing another human being is a far, far greater crime in my mind than taking the life of an animal. There shouldn't even be a comparison. And I don't really care what means caused a human being's death. Momentary lapse of reason, alcohol-influenced accident, or your henchmen got carried away, if someone died and you caused it, you must be severely punished.

Vick was punished for his crime. Some may argue the punishment was too much, some will say too little. Regardless, the state decided on what they deemed was a fair punishment, and Vick served. No need to punish him more.

From all the comments I've read across the NFL, Vick has been forgiven and everyone wants him to get a chance at redemption. Everyone including the man who's job it is to protect the NFL. I was surprised at the support Roger Goodell gave Vick, it was much more than I expected. I've only heard players and coaches across the league endorse Vick. And it seems the only ones that had negative things to say about Vick were the owners and front offices too insecure with their team or their team's status with their fan base to even consider taking a chance on Vick.

Then I watched Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb do their interviews last night.

When the news of the Vick signing came in, my first emotion was "Shame." I was ashamed to be a part of an organization that could accept someone who did something so monstrous. After listening to Reid and McNabb's words, my emotions changed to "Pride." I was proud to be a fan of an organization that was willing to forgive, willing to take a risk and give someone a chance at redemption, strong and confident enough to stand up for something they believe is right against what will be a shitstorm of hate and criticism. The Eagles have provided me with multiple emotions throughout the years: joy, anticipation, desperation, excitement, and pride. But I don't think I've ever been prouder of this team than I am at this moment.

There will always be haters. There will always be those that will take this as an opportunity to mock or attack us. Let them come. They can go rally with the hippie-crits and act righteous.

Our organization did a very good thing yesterday, and regardless of the success or failure that may come of it, both my appreciation of the Philadelphia Eagles and the class it has shown have evolved my Eagles to a higher level of appreciation.

Good for you, Philadelphia. You are a much stronger organization than I understood.