Vick's behavior shows the man has no soul, no compassion, no ability to identify with those who are more vulnerable than he.  Why on earth would anyone want him to be role model, or even on television representing any team?  

  I don't think there is any question that this was pattern of calculated behavior and I don't agree with those who suggest that this behavior was no reprehensible.

   He was sent to prison, so it's not as if he got the proverbial slap on the wrist. Reasonable people can disagree as to whether the senternce was severe enough but among the things a court can and should consider is the likelihoos a person will reoffend.

  Some people might  believe that the nature of the crime demonstrates such stunted character and morals that future criminal conduct is probable. Others might believe that his exceptional abilities and rare ability to earn money makes him less likely to offend than an otherwise similarly situated person.

  Many might think that even if his ability to earn money makes him less likely to reoffend that is unfair for that fact to be considered because it in a fashion punishes those without such advantages. That's a valid opinion because when it's something "external" that makes a person less likely to reoffend we are looking at more the luck of circumstances than the essence of the person.

   On the other hand, punishment is only one of the factors involved in the sentencing calculus and the need to protect society is another important factor and that has more to do with predicted outcomes than the true nature of the person. different people will have differing views on whether a "bad" person who is unlikely to reoffend should receive more or less time than a "better" person who is considered more of a future threat.

And I place a higher value on human life, though of course all life should be respected.

As I wrote here:

   Vick was denied any credit for taking responsibility for his crime. Hudson agreed with a federal probation officer's finding that Vick had lied about his hands-on killing of dogs and about his drug use. Vick tested positive for marijuana Sept. 13, violating conditions of his release while he awaited sentencing.

    Hudson recalled that Vick at one point said he only handed over two dogs to co-defendant Quanis Phillips, who killed them. On another occasion, Vick said he dropped a dog after Phillips tied a rope around the animal's neck, the judge added. "I'm not convinced you've fully accepted responsibility," Hudson told Vick.

...Court papers revealed gruesome details about Vick's dogfighting operation, including the execution of underperforming dogs by electrocution, drowning, hanging and other means. Those details prompted a public backlash against the once-popular NFL star and outraged animal-rights groups, which used the case to call attention to the brutality of dogfighting.