Letter to the Editor 10/20

To the Editor,

I think Andrew Kaback’s Oct. 14 column focused on (the incredible and… To the Editor,

I think Andrew Kaback’s Oct. 14 column focused on (the incredible and sensational) Michael Vick a bit too much. Yes, he is a convicted felon. But, the “professional field” that he is in does not hold that against him to the point of banning his involvement.

In my opinion, you’re better off boycotting the NFL than my Philadelphia Eagles’ epic star quarterback.

A convicted felon’s ability to compete in the NFL is only harbored, but not eliminated. Regardless of whether this is repugnant, the rules allow for individuals suspended from the league to at a later time reapply for their job or a similar one.

For example, in the NFL, as my hometown football hero Mike Vick has shown, you can lose your job after receiving a felony conviction, or even incarceration. After being released from incarceration, one can be given the ability to compete for a similar position within the NFL.

Now, this is not the case in other realms of professional employment.

Many professionals are banned frompractice once convicted of a felony. Again, this is not the case for the NFL.

Felons also lose their right to vote, the ability to run for office and attain various professional licenses or permits. Again, convicted felons do not lose their ability to compete for a spot on a NFL team.

This said, every job field is clearly very different and has different standards of employment applied to them, but your turning a

cold shoulder to the best No. 7 in Pennsylvania just does not seem right, especially when you still support the NFL, whose rules it is that you are unhappy with.

Henry Goodelman

School of Education