Eagles QB Michael Vick was honored Tuesday night as one of 32 NFL players to receive the Ed Block Courage Award. It was the first award he received since being reinstated by the NFL in September 2009.

As he arrived to receive his award, Mike was met by about 100 protesters carrying signs with slogans such as “No awards for dog killers” and “Cowards abuse animals,”.

Vick’s Philadelphia teammates unanimously nominated him for award, which honors one player from each NFL team. While protesters screamed outside the banquet hall where he received the award, Vick was asked whether or not he felt deserving of the honor:

Video ~ Michael Vick Receives Ed Block Courage Award

“I think I do exemplify what this award stands for. I think everybody has the right to their own opinion. But I feel like I’ve done everything that I said I would do, coming out and moving forward. My peers felt like I was doing the right thing, and that I display courage and sportsmanship and leadership. I value their opinion.”

The crazies…also known as “animal advocates”, who were outside the event, proclaimed that Vick has none of the qualities that are deserving  of the honor.

“I am here to protest that the Eagles have given Michael Vick a Courage Award and everyone else has gone along with it,” said Darlene Sanders Harris, who organized the demonstration. “I don’t think he exudes courage or any of the qualities they are looking for in an Ed Block recipient.”

I beg to differ. The Ed Block foundation’s website gives the following description for the award:

The Ed Block Courage Award recipient symbolizes professionalism, great strength and dedication.  He is also a community role model.  With this honor, he enters into an association which contrasts his fierce profession by becoming a major component of the Courage House National Support Network for Kids. He becomes an Ambassador of Courage for victims of abuse, violence and neglect.

The Ed Block Courage Award recipient will be identified as a team player in helping abused children and families in crisis.

In other words, it ain’t about dogs or dogfighting!

It would seem that after serving his time and doing everything he was required to do legally & professionally –  including working one on one with PETA – that people would just let it go! *sigh* How long will this man have to suffer for his crimes?