The other living dead quarterback to recently rise out of the ashes is Michael Vick. I don't know if anyone was happier to see Brett Favre return to the scene than Vick. Favre's return has drawn the NFL fans' focus off the new Eagle and onto a more pressing decision--buy the "yes" or "no" Favre t-shirt. (Personally, I think preseason football has provided the best original television of the summer. It's been so good that playboy-turned-model-husband Tom Brady's comeback from last season's foot injury draws little more than a spot on ESPN's sports ticker, and poor T.O. and Ocho Cinco are relegated to Tweeting to garner the attention they desire.)
So after two years in prison and a house arrest, Michael Vick has rejoined society with the desire to become a productive member and get out of bankruptcy. While I'm also a Hokie, I didn't ride the Vick bandwagon during his Falcon days (although I loved the second-half show he put on during the 2000 national championship). And the abuse he brought upon those poor dogs who were unwillingly members of his dog fighting ring definitely deserved the sentence he received. But I have to say I'm now in Vick's corner, mainly because of the anti-Vick movement's theatrics.
Athletes who raped women and killed men return to professional sports with less outrage. I barely heard a whimper from anyone when Roger Goodell had to decide Donte Stallworth's fate last week. While driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, Stallworth killed a man who was crossing the street to catch a bus home from work. Goodell was correct in Stallworth's one-year suspension, but I couldn't help but notice the striking difference in public reaction from only a few weeks earlier when Goodell decided Vick's fate. I love dogs, and have always had them as pets! But are we really saying that a man's life is less important than a dog's?
I believe the people one surrounds themselves with will have a deep impact on their life. Vick rarely made the wisest choices in choosing friends. While in prison, his "friends," fiancee, and even his own mom continued spending his money as if he was still starting for the Falcons. (Check out Rick Reilly's breakdown of how he went bankrupt in prison http://tinyurl.com/kp4u5v.) Those closest to Vick took complete advantage of the situation, and made a tough comeback even more difficult. But during that same time, a strong, Christian man also took an interest in Vick. Former Colts' coach Tony Dungy brought Vick under his wing, and helped orchestrate the quarterback's NFL return. I don't know if Vick has ever had someone like Dungy guiding him, teaching him right from wrong, and truly desiring to see good things in Vick's life rather than seeking to take the goods from Vick's life. But I'm excited to see Dungy in Vick's life, and how God may use Dungy to bring positive change in Vick.
The bottom line is this, either the judicial system is in place to rehabilitate those who have done wrong, or we might as well institute capital punishment for all crimes. When someone has paid their time, they deserve a second chance. What they do with that second chance will determine whether or not they become productive members of society. Vick's second chance and how he conducts himself during this comeback could mean a lot more than a winning season on the field; it could be a life-changing lesson for every little boy from the wrong side of the tracks who's learning how to overcome adversity from Vick's return. Let's pray that neither Vick nor we squash such a golden opportunity!
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