[Russ_Boston]

The old saying is:

"you don't get out of life everything you ask, you only get what you negotiate"

[BobKat1]

Greed was probably the wrong word to use in this case. The word crazy or something similar might be more accurate, but not greed.

[bkcunningham1]

Originally Posted by BobKat1

Greed was probably the wrong word to use in this case. The word crazy or something similar might be more accurate, but not greed.

I agree BobKat. If greed alone could make someone a billionaire; I'd become greedy.

[villagegolfer]

This deal puts him in the same category as Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. I don't think so. Brady and Manning are proven champions and have played at the highest plateau for many years.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

I used to enjoy watching pro sports many years ago........when most of players seemed to do it more for the love of the game and as a way to make a decent living.

Bill

[villagegolfer]

Wow Bill, you have to go back to around 1974 for Major League baseball, about 37 years. The straw that broke the camel's back for me came in 1994, when baseball went on strike. Haven't watched a game since, and I was a fanatic.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Originally Posted by villagegolfer

Wow Bill, you have to go back to around 1974 for Major League baseball, about 37 years. The straw that broke the camel's back for me came in 1994, when baseball went on strike. Haven't watched a game since, and I was a fanatic.

You're in the right ballpark (so to speak! ) - I started losing interest in the pro stuff in about that timeframe.

Bill

[Doodlegirl]

police investigators, the rescuers of the hurt and dying fighting dogs, and the creamatory people make....by comparison if you know what I mean. I think
when criminals are rewarded after bad behavior there is double jeopardy.
Vick may have paid his debt to "society", and "served his time", but it
seems to me it speaks volumes to the younger generation that crime
can pay. Not a message I want to send.

[villagegolfer]

Originally Posted by Doodlegirl

police investigators, the rescuers of the hurt and dying fighting dogs, and the creamatory people make....by comparison if you know what I mean. I think
when criminals are rewarded after bad behavior there is double jeopardy.
Vick may have paid his debt to "society", and "served his time", but it
seems to me it speaks volumes to the younger generation that crime
can pay. Not a message I want to send.

On the other proverbial hand, he could be an inspiration for thousands of people that they can turn their life around and be a success. It might even be a lesson for employers, too. People who leave the prison systems are at a great disadvantage as employers are reluctant to hire ex-cons.

[GeorgeT]

Originally Posted by MrMark

Nothing to do with Greed! He paid his debt to society. Time to get off his case.

Yep. I totally agree. He turned his life around and is using his God given skill to earn a living.

[redwitch]

Sorry, don't see what his crime has to do with his ability to play football. He was a great player before serving his time and hasn't been doing that badly since he came back. I can't say I think he is worth his salary, but, then, I don't think Brady, James, Jeter, et al., are worth their salaries, either. Athletes are way overpaid today. The fans stated that these salaries were okay by paying the higher ticket prices and by buying the products advertised during the games and by the athletes. So, until fans and television sponsors say enough is enough, these salaries will continue. Don't like 'em? Start boycotting. But leave the crime issue out of it -- Vicks did his time. Not only that, he has since come out strongly against dog fighting and it sounds like he truly regrets his prior acts.

[villagegolfer]

Billions of dollars are going into the football industry. That is what the last strike was all about. If the players were paid a pittance and the owners kept the lion's share, they would be talking about the greedy owners. I think they have reached an agreeable compromise.

Look at football as you would a business. Take The New England Patriots, for example. There are 54 players out on the field. Tom Brady is the leader (CEO) he has the responsibility of making the team run efficiently. I don't know what he makes but say it is 14 million. Is he any less of a CEO of some of these corporations that make 100 million? If he has a career ending injury, he can kiss his salary and his endorsements good-bye. Yet the CEO who makes 100 million will have a long working expectancy. (unless he falls out of his chair)

[ilovetv]

My original question didn't reference the guy's crime (I actually think he is duly remorseful and changed, after seeing an interview with him lately).

Without wanting to get into "political"...it just seems quite noticeable that when class envy is stirred up by politicians in Washington, pitting "the haves" against "the have nots", and "redistribution of wealth thru higher taxation" is pushed, pro athletes and Hollywood actors are never mentioned as part of the "Corporate Greed" crowd.

I've never heard of an actor nor pro athlete being vilified and called a "Fat Cat" or "The Rich" or "Corporate Jet Owner" who "doesn't pay enough taxes". But I have heard of small businessmen and others making $250,000 being lumped into the vilified group of "The Rich", "that is not paying enough in taxes". It's a big double standard as I see it.

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by Bill-n-Brillo

I used to enjoy watching pro sports many years ago........when most of players seemed to do it more for the love of the game and as a way to make a decent living.

Bill

I had loyalty to certain teams and the the demands for higher salaries began with Joe Willy Namath. Now all you do is cheer on empty suits. I understand the business aspect and i undertand the short life cycle of ball players but again far too many never live up to expectations. That was a big issue for owners this time around

Whereas with golf or tennis a player is rewarded for truly outstanding play

So I also lost my tastefor the NFL and MLB.

[angiefox10]

Originally Posted by ilovetv

My original question didn't reference the guy's crime (I actually think he is duly remorseful and changed, after seeing an interview with him lately).

Without wanting to get into "political"...it just seems quite noticeable that when class envy is stirred up by politicians in Washington, pitting "the haves" against "the have nots", and "redistribution of wealth thru higher taxation" is pushed, pro athletes and Hollywood actors are never mentioned as part of the "Corporate Greed" crowd.

I've never heard of an actor nor pro athlete being vilified and called a "Fat Cat" or "The Rich" or "Corporate Jet Owner" who "doesn't pay enough taxes". But I have heard of small businessmen and others making $250,000 being lumped into the vilified group of "The Rich", "that is not paying enough in taxes". It's a big double standard as I see it.

Interesting thought process... I never thought of it that way... and wasn't thinking that's where you were going with the post. Also interesting that we all saw something different... from our own perspective.