Michael Vick’s comments on wanting a dog bring outrage, support

Michael Vick is barred from owning a dog for a year and a half, but the star quarterback’s comment that he’d like to bring one into his house generated renewed outrage — and support.

The convicted dogfighting ring operator said Wednesday 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. For example, the gambling website Bodog.com is offering bets on what breed of dog Vick might own in the next two years.

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: He could not own dogs during that time.

Since Vick was released from prison, he’s 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. 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 he was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles 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’s gained a bigger following of fans.

Ray Morales of Philadelphia said 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,” he said. “It’s hard for people to believe that someone can turn their life around, but they can.”

Vick’s comments, however, brought out plenty of critics. Jane Dollinger, spokeswoman for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, said Vick should be banned from owning dogs for life.

Meanwhile, Wayne Pacelle, president of the Humane Society of the United States, said it’s too early for Vick to have a dog. But he said it could be appropriate after Vick’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,” he 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 said he’s doing that work because he wants to.

“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.”

Favre doubts he will play Monday

Brett Favre said he still feels discomfort in his sprained shoulder and numbness in his hand — 11 days after the injury that kept him out of Minnesota’s last game against the New York Giants. He said “there’s no way” he would consider playing Monday night against the Chicago Bears with the same symptoms.

“I think it would be foolish to even think that way,” Favre said.

So if he feels better, will he start throwing again and see if he can heal in time to play in one of the last two games?

“If it’s February, I probably won’t,” Favre deadpanned. “I suppose. We are obviously running out of time.”

The Vikings (5-8) have been eliminated from playoff contention with three games left. Favre said he has talked with interim head coach Leslie Frazier about taking advantage of the time to develop rookie Joe Webb, now that backup Tarvaris Jackson ( turf toe) is done for the season.

Favre said he’ll stay with the team until the season is over, even if he doesn’t play anymore.

“Can’t say I look forward to traveling any. Getting back at 3 in the morning for a home game the other day, I felt like I had played,” Favre said. “Yeah, I plan on being here.”

As for whether he’d like to play once more before he retires, Favre said he considers the entire season — his 20th in the NFL — the last hurrah.

“I knew going in, as with any season, there are no guarantees, and things may not go as you would have hoped,” Favre said, adding: “I know up to this point, I came in and did everything I could do. Don’t regret it one bit. If it’s meant to be over, then so be it.”

Jackson was put on injured reserve Thursday, and the Vikings signed veteran Patrick Ramsey to take his place.

Revis has sore hamstring

New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis has been limited at practice by “a little soreness” in his right hamstring, but expects to play in the team’s game at Pittsburgh on Sunday.

Coach Rex Ryan said Revis was an addition to the injury report “that’s more precautionary.” Revis didn’t want to discuss the injury, saying that he was playing and he’s “fine.”

Revis missed two games earlier this season after straining his left hamstring.

Ryan also says he will start cornerback Dwight Lowery at safety when the Jets (9-4) play the Steelers (10-3). New York is thin at the position with Eric Smith sitting this week with a concussion and Jim Leonhard out for the year with a broken shin.

Driver urged Rodgers to stay on sideline

Veteran wide receiver Donald Driver saw it in Aaron Rodgers’ eyes: The quarterback wasn’t quite right after taking hard hits on back-to-back plays, but he still wanted to go back in the game.

What happened next can be seen as another sign that NFL players’ attitudes toward concussions is changing: Standing on the sideline during a close game at Detroit that was critical to the Green Bay Packers’ playoff hopes, Driver helped talk his teammate into sitting out the rest of the game.

“I was very concerned about him,” Driver said. “I kind of whispered in his ear, walked behind him during the time he was sitting on the bench and kind of told him, ‘This is just a game. Your life is more important than this game.’ I told him I love him to death, and you’ve got to make the choice, but this game is not that important.”

Driver said Rodgers stood up and stared at him.

“I think I said, ‘Aaron, you need to make a choice,’” Driver said. “And that’s when he realized he just couldn’t go any more.”

The Packers lost the game, 7-3, and face the possibility of having backup Matt Flynn at quarterback for Sunday night’s game at New England. Rodgers, who also sustained a concussion Oct. 10 but played the following week, was not cleared to return to practice as of Thursday and a final decision on his status is not expected until Saturday.

NFL signs off on Vikings site

The executive vice president of the NFL stood at the edge of snowy TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis and said it will be the site of next week’s Vikings-Bears game despite players concerns about being injured on the frozen field.

“We are planning on playing here,” NFL VP Eric Grubman said as dozens of workers worked nearby to clear snow and ice from the outdoor facility. “If we can’t, at that point we’ll figure out what we’ll do next.”

Despite an offer from the Indianapolis Colts to host the Monday night matchup at Lucas Oil Stadium, and concern from some Bears and Vikings players, Grubman called football a “cold-weather sport” and noted that several other NFL teams including Buffalo and Kansas City play in outdoor stadiums with no heating systems to keep their fields warm.

McCoy will start for rest of the season

Cleveland Browns Coach Eric Mangini named Colt McCoy his starting quarterback for the remainder of this season. McCoy, who hasn’t played since spraining his left ankle Nov. 21 at Jacksonville, has been entrusted with Cleveland’s offense for three games that could determine Mangini’s future.

“It’s no landmark day,” McCoy said before practice Thursday. “Today is the day that now I know I’m the starter. I gotta go out and play and go out and get better, and I gotta go out and help us win.”

Etc.

Cowboys linebacker Anthony Spencer has been fined $12,500 by the NFL for knocking helmets with Philadelphia’s Vick. … Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Heath Miller missed practice because of an exercise-related headache, putting his status for Sunday’s game against the Jets in question…. The Detroit Lions signed cornerback Eric King. … Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel was limited in practice and his availability for Sunday’s game at St. Louis remained unclear.