Michael Vick is barred from owning a dog for a year and a half, but the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback's comment that he'd like to bring one into his house generated renewed outrage -- and support.
Vick, a convicted dogfighting-ring operator, told TheGrio.com earlier this week that he genuinely cares about animals and would like to have one for a pet again.
"I think it would be a big step for me in the rehabilitation process," he said.
Vick has made similar statements before, but this time, it seemed to have grabbed the world's attention.
Vick served 18 months in prison after being convicted in 2007. A federal judge also sentenced him to three years probation, ending in May 2012. One of the terms: Vick could not own dogs during that time.
"I would love to get another dog in the future," Vick told the website. "I think it would be a big step for me in the rehabilitation process. I think just to have a pet in my household and to show people that I genuinely care, and my love, and my passion for animals."
Since Vick was released from prison, he has become a touchstone for a deep debate: Can people who do bad things be redeemed?
"I really mean what I say. I don't have a problem. I'm not a psychopath. I'm not crazy. I'm a human being," Vick told The Associated Press on Thursday.
"What happened in my past and what I did in the culture I grew up in doesn't shape and mold me as the person I am now," he continued. "I said it before that I wish I can own a dog, and I'll continue to say it. I'm not allowed to, but I'm just saying I wish I could because my kids ask me every day. It's more so for them than for me."
When the Eagles signed Vick last year, criticism seemed to outweigh cheers. But now that he's again a top NFL player and has spent time speaking with at-risk kids, he has gained a bigger following of fans.
Ray Morales, of Philadelphia, said that Vick has worked to turn his life around and deserves a second chance.
"They're just trying to scrutinize him way too much because of his popularity," Morales said. "It's hard for people to believe that someone can turn their life around, but they can."
Morales said that in his home state of Florida, a friend stopped participating in dogfighting after hearing Vick talk about why it was wrong.
"He's been doing a lot to educate people about dogfighting," Morales said. "He knows he's done something wrong, people just really need to get past it and stop casting stones."
Vick's comments, however, brought out plenty of critics. Many took to Twitter to lambaste the quarterback with tweets like, "Michael Vick says he'd like to own a dog someday. I'd like to own a brewery too but it's probably not a good idea."
Jane Dollinger, spokeswoman for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, said Vick should be banned from owning dogs for life.
Meanwhile, Humane Society of the United States President Wayne Pacelle said it's too early for Vick to have a dog, but it could be appropriate after the quarterback's probation ends.
"There may be some who would forever deny Michael Vick the opportunity to have a pet. I understand that sentiment. But there is a larger principle at stake here," Pacelle said in a statement. "We at The HSUS are about the business of change -- personal and societal change."
Since his release from prison, Vick has worked with the group and makes school appearances to talk to students about his past.
Vick told TheGrio.com he's doing that work because he wants to do it.
"The court doesn't make it an obligation for me to go out and speak," Vick said. "It doesn't make it an obligation for me to work with the Humane Society. I'm putting in the hard work to do it, so it's not for any personal benefit. It's to help others.
"I think if I can help five or six kids daily, then I'm playing my position as a positive role model in our society," Vick said. "I tell a lot of people that it's easy to do the wrong thing. It's hard to do the right thing."
Vick said he allowed outside influences to affect his behavior, but he said prison helped him see the changes he needed to make.
"I hate to use our culture as an excuse, but it is what it is, and that's what happened and that's the way I thought about it growing up," Vick said about dogfighting. "This is just the way we were brought up."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
