Dallas honors Michael Vick with key to city
Philadelphia Eagles QB Michael Vick was awarded the key to the city of Dallas, igniting outrage in the animal rights community and controversy in local politics.
Dallas politicians are at odds over Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway's decision to honor Vick, who was released from federal prison in 2009 after serving 19 months for his involvement in a dogfighting ring.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick.
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Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert said the action took place without his knowledge.
Caraway defended the decision in an interview with ESPN:
"The message and the kids are far greater than all this response about, 'Why give him the key to the city?' He is telling kids and exchanging with them the rights and wrongs of the things that he did and encouraging kids to further their education and to not deal with the drugs. To obey their parents and pick the people they hang around."
Mayor Leppert issued a statement Monday morning, saying that Caraway's action "was not sanctioned by my office and was not an official ceremonial honor on behalf of the City of Dallas."
Caraway responded Monday that he cares "deeply about animals."
"Since making some bad choices, Michael Vick has devoted time to speaking to children about staying in school, staying away from drugs, making positive choices about picking friends, and the importance of education," Caraway said. "That was the focus of the event. ... For those reasons, Michael Vick deserves such an action from my office."
Tell us: Does Michael Vick deserve the key to any city?
-- Robert Klemko
Philadelphia Eagles QB Michael Vick was awarded the key to the city of Dallas, igniting outrage in the animal rights community and controversy in local politics.
Dallas politicians are at odds over Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway's decision to honor Vick, who was released from federal prison in 2009 after serving 19 months for his involvement in a dogfighting ring.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick.CAPTION
By Tony Gutierrez, AP
Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert said the action took place without his knowledge.
Caraway defended the decision in an interview with ESPN:
"The message and the kids are far greater than all this response about, 'Why give him the key to the city?' He is telling kids and exchanging with them the rights and wrongs of the things that he did and encouraging kids to further their education and to not deal with the drugs. To obey their parents and pick the people they hang around."
Mayor Leppert issued a statement Monday morning, saying that Caraway's action "was not sanctioned by my office and was not an official ceremonial honor on behalf of the City of Dallas."
Caraway responded Monday that he cares "deeply about animals."
"Since making some bad choices, Michael Vick has devoted time to speaking to children about staying in school, staying away from drugs, making positive choices about picking friends, and the importance of education," Caraway said. "That was the focus of the event. ... For those reasons, Michael Vick deserves such an action from my office."
Tell us: Does Michael Vick deserve the key to any city?
-- Robert Klemko
i would burn all my cowboys gear if "dog killer" thug boy should be hung in my front yard with my nice tree Mike Vick became a Dallas Cowboy. Who the buck gave this loser a key to a city you kidding me. The guy is a joke isn't even that great of a qb and gets a key to the city. Whats his playoff record not to good. Guy is a great runner average at best qb and always starts strong but wears down at the end of the season cause he takes to many big hits. Guy kills and tortures animals. Flips off his own fans when he was in Atlanta and the guy gets a key to the city god bless america ha. Might as well honor OJ Simpson break him out of prison give him a key also.
