[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

You could list hundreds of NFL players that grew up in severe poverty so IMO that's not an excuse for Vick. I did stupid things when I was a kid that I don't do now because I know better. So should Vick.

Yeah, and of many of those 100s a good chunk of them have issues with the law at some point in their lives. I can turn that argument around and point to the numerous boxers who grew up in bad situations and never raped anyone. The whole "Well because the exceptions occasionally rise above severe obstacles, then those obstacles shouldn't affect anyone" argument is such a tired and privileged take.

Tyson was constantly bullied as a youth for his high pitched voice, love of pigeons, was doing B&E's in his early teens, spend time in jouvenile detention centers. Fighting was out of necessity to survive in his surroundings. If it wasn't for boxing he would either be dead or spending life in prison before he hit his mid-20's.

Okay, so explain what that has to do with him raping someone? If you're going to argue that Vick should've known better, despite being constantly surrounded by people who reinforced the idea that dogfighting was okay, then surely you can't turnaround and excuse Tyson for not not knowing that rape was wrong.

Let's also not forget the fact that Vick has shown a tremendous amount of remorse, has gone on to do work for the SPCA, and consistently goes back to his hometown to advocate against dogfighting. Meanwhile, after his release, Tyson continued to act violently towards men and women, continued to use sexist, misogynistic, and homophobic language at almost every turn, and has never even attempted to get involved with any organizations that dedicate themselves to preventing domestic and sexual violence.

I'm not saying Vick is a great guy. I liked him as a QB when he played for my team, but I would never have bought his jersey and I'm glad he's gone. But if you're not seeing the parallels here then that's your own personal bias more than anything else.