August 6, 2009

Former Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, shown during a 2006 season game, has finished serving jail time for operating a dog fighting ring and was just reinstated into the NFL. (ZT Pet News File Photo by Keith Allison)

NEW YORK -- Michael Vick, love him or hate him, is back in the headlines as NFL Commissioner Robert Goodale has now conditionally reinstated Vick -- allowing him to participate in pre-season training and several games, that is, if he can find a team to sign him.

His former team the Atlanta Falcons, along with the New York Giants, New York Jets and the Dallas Cowboys have already publicly declined interest in him.

Once considered the most talented quarterback in the United States, Michael Vick is now struggling to regain his place in the NFL.

Several weeks ago, Vick was officially released from federal custody after a two-month home confinement, which followed his 19-month federal imprisonment.

After admitting to facilitating and financing a gruesome dog fighting operation, “Bad Newz Kennels” where hundreds of dogs were reportedly shot, hung, drowned and burned alive, Vick was sentenced to 23-months in a federal penitentiary, plus house arrest and three years probation. Part of his home confinement sentence mandated Vick to work a $10-an-hour construction job -- a far cry from his former $130 million Atlanta Falcons' contract, which made him the highest paid player in the league.

While Vick was released early from a Kansas prison for good behavior, he was suspended from the NFL, lost millions of dollars worth of endorsement deals, and filed for bankruptcy.

Although his reinstatement was a challenging decision for the NFL community, many fans and teammates feel that Vick has paid his dues and has re-evaluated his life. Still others put no merit into a great talent being wasted and dispute his supposed remorse, feeling his actions are inappropriate for a public role model.

With the 2009 NFL season about to start, ZT Pet News wants to know how pet lovers feel about the issue. Take the poll above and share your thoughts.

Elisabeth Brock, editorial intern with ZT Pet News, contributed to this feature. She can be reached at ebrock@zootoo.com.