Forgiveness is a lost art in American circles, especially within the canine community. People want to be forgiven, but if they have been harmed in any way, they reserve their right to not forgive. Michael Dwayne Vick is a former American football quarterback who played 13 seasons in the National Football League, primarily with the Atlanta Falcons and the Philadelphia Eagles. Vick’s name has resurfaced not because of what he did on the field, but because of something he did off the field.

Michael Vick was sentenced to two years in prison over a decade ago for running a “cruel and inhumane” dogfighting ring and lying about it. He funded the ring while his cousins and friends ran it. He apologized to the court, animal activists, and his family members, performed a lot of work with animal organizations after he served his time to redeem himself, and suffered public disgrace after receiving a harsher sentence than others in the federal conspiracy case. Did I mention he served time in prison?

During the trial in 2007, despite his early surrender, a public apology, and participation in an animal sensitivity training course, Vick was denied an “acceptance of responsibility” credit that would have reduced his time in prison. Federal prosecutors opposed awarding Vick the credit.

Fast forward to today.

It is 2019 and the PC “Animal police” are still opposing Vick. Let it go, dog people! Cruelty to animals is disgusting to say the least and deserves to be penalized. But Vick has redeemed himself through accepting the consequences of his actions.

However, what if a woman were mocked for her decision to terminate an innocent child in the womb years after an abortion? Would human-right’s activists hold her in non-conceptual contempt? Would they suggest a repentant doctor not be recognized as a stellar physician in his field?

Late last month, the league announced that Vick would join Terrell Davis, Darrell Green, and Bruce Smith as honorary captains during the 2020 Pro Bowl. The PC Animal rights activists became enraged and started a petition to remove Vick from being honored at the Pro Bowl, which airs January 26 on ESPN. 740,000 signatures have been accumulated as of this week.

One petitioner states, “Mike Vick does not deserve the honor of being Pro Bowl Captain.” Another says. “He is a convicted felon and a known animal abuser. Is this who we want our children to look up to? Disney, how could you condone this? There are so many players that have made amazing contribution to society; however, Michael Vick is not one of them.”

We live in a society where unborn animals are more protected than unborn babies. Yes, I am going there. Kill an eagle and see what happens. You could get up to two years in prison and fined $250,000. Kill a baby in the womb and see what happens. You can walk out the front door of an abortion clinic with a “clear” conscience.

I like animals as much as the next person, but I will not hold a person in contempt for animal abuse in the past. Holding a grudge only destroys the one with the resentment. Vick needs to be paroled from the prison of public opinion. Forgiveness is not always for the person who wants it. It is actually for those of us who need to purge ourselves of anger and bitterness before it tears us apart.