Marcus Vick got what he deserved this weekend when he was not selected in the 2006 NFL Draft.  If Vick has the audacity to stomp on the back of someone's knee in attempt to end their career, then he doesn't deserve a chance at a career of his own. 

As a sports fan who tries to remain optimistic, I usually give athletes the benefit of the doubt when they have off the field problems.  AJ Nicholson, a former Florida State linebacker, had some off the field troubles this season which led to his suspension in the Orange Bowl.  Although he may have some problems off the field, when he is on the field, it is a different story and he has never shown any signs of being a dirty player.  As a fan I feel I have no room to judge an athlete's off the field behavior and can only hope they turn things around.  But when a player does what Marcus Vick does, and carry his off the field baggage on to the football field, then he does not deserve to play.

The talent Marcus VIck possesses is better than most who were drafted this weekend, and for a player of his caliber to go undrafted is usually unheard of.  But so is stomping on the back of an opponent's knee, so much so that NFL teams did not care about his talent, and refused to select him.  Football is a game of respect, and even though Vick may have been competing against the player he attempted to injure, in the grand scheme of things they are both on the same team.  Star athletes lives are very different from most people, and should be able to count on each other on and off the field. 

Maliciously attempting to injure another player is a complete sign of disrespect, and is something that can never happen, no matter what the excuse.  When athletes step on to the playing field, they are putting their lives in each others hands.  If some players have alterior motives other than to just play the game, they can not be counted on by anyone.  Football is the ultimate team sport and what Vick did proves he knows nothing about what it is to be a true teammate. 

Marcus Vick may catch on with a team as an undrafted free agent and become a solid NFL player, but what he did to a fellow teammate, will never be forgotten.