Michael Vick's Crime Against Humanity

Until recently, America has had two separate codes of justice - one for the average citizen and a more lenient one for celebrities, politicians and professional athletes. The sentencing of Michael Vick to 23 months in prison for dog fighting is just another indication that the tide is quickly turning.

Judges are finally sending out the message that celebrities and professional athletes are ordinary citizens and not above the law. Illegal activities they freely chose to engage in - whether it involve drugs, gambling, assault or dog fighting - and are convicted of, will receive the same sentence as any ordinary American would.

It's about time. The celebrity status of professional athletes doesn't entitle them to any special rights, privileges or treatment under the law. In fact, if anything, the courts should automatically give all celebrities the maximum sentence for any misdemeanor or felony they commit.

Professional athletes and celebrities have an ethical and moral responsibility as role models for children in our society. They get paid millions of dollars to perform, and very often millions more to endorse products ranging from clothing and cosmetics to food and energy drinks. Many of the products they endorse are targeted mainly to children. By repeatedly getting arrested on DWI and drug charges or engaging in other illegal activities such as dog fighting, they are endorsing their illegal activities and behavior patterns too.

It's a tragedy that a talented quarterback like Michael Vick would jeopardize his career, income and image by getting involved in a senseless crime like dog fighting.

In 2004, his $130 million contract made him the highest paid athlete in the NFL. With it, came millions in lucrative product endorsements for companies like Nike, Coca-Cola, Kraft, Air Tran and Hasbro. His celebrity status was confirmed in 2005 by being named number 33 on Forbes' Top 100 Celebrity List.