Dallas Mayor Disavow’s Michael Vick’s ‘Key to the City’
Michael Vick won the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year award to commend a stellar second season returning to the league after imprisonment.
Dallas Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway handed the Philadelphia Eagles’ All-pro quarterback a key to the city of Dallas while he was in town for the Super Bowl, but apparently Michael’s past is still in question.
Vick’s charge of funding a dogfighting ring years ago caused him to face a sentence of 18 months in prison and Mayor Tom Leppert is less than ecstatic about the gift presented to the athlete.
Mayor Leppert cited that the official “keys” to Dallas are made from gold or crystal and are given out mainly to foreign dignitaries.
Celebrities have routinely been handed the “ceremonial” version of the gift which is reportedly worth around $25 but until one was given to the convicted felon, it wasn’t an issue.
Leppert reacted, “The action taken was not sanctioned by my office and was not an official ceremonial honor on behalf of the city of Dallas.”
“It’s shameful. I’m embarrassed that my city has given a key to a convicted felon accused of a violent, horrendous crime,” said Jonnie England, spokeswoman for the Metroplex Animal Coalition.
The constant backlash forced Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway to make a statement of his own: “I care deeply about animals. … I have two dogs of my own, and I am deeply sorry to offend anyone who loves animals.”
Caraway insisted, however, that Vick deserved the honor he received because he’s turned his life around and dedicated himself to keeping kids from making the same mistakes he did.
He went on to call him a hero.
Will Mike Vick ever be forgiven for his actions?
