Michael Vick Strikes Back

Michael Vick’s reinstatement by the NFL has sparked many debates. Should he be allowed such a prestigious job when his acts, so grievous still haunt many? Will the Eagles, who signed Vick to a two-year contract, lose fans and support for their team? The facts don’t lie: Vick willingly, horrifically abused dogs for the sake of his own twisted amusement. Aside from the numerous dogs he killed over the years his dog fighting operation was in business, more than fifty were removed from the premises and most, with the help of qualified experts, are working to make their lives as ‘normal’ as can be expected after living in fear and abuse.

What’s so interesting about all this is that Vick got a job out of it. If you’re a believer in our justice system, then Vick did his time and should be allowed the respect and right to go back to work just like the rest of us. But, he’s not like the rest of us. Prior to his arrest, he was making hundreds of millions of dollars. He was the first round draft pick. He was on his way to certified deification.

All that changed of course.

After the conviction, he was suspended indefinitely from the NFL. Two long years paused his career as he reportedly, cried every night in prison. He’s emerged from this tragedy a changed man, he claims. He wants to be ‘part of the solution’ now. That is, when he’s not throwing the football and partying up on Philadelphia’s South street. Reports that he might join forces with the Humane Society on animal protection are circulating, but they hardly seem like a priority.

Having committed the second most heinous crime by a famous football player, no matter what Vick does to ‘redeem’ himself, he’ll always have that OJ stigma following him around like post-game BO. Which is why his choice of going back into the NFL immediately following his release is so transparent. Had he taken a year to do some volunteer work, start a foundation, write a book about how his daddy beat him – whatever – his choice to pursue a sports career again at a later date might have been less shocking. Maybe he’d even be regarded as a hero. Sure the expiration date of an athletic career is short, but that shouldn’t matter to a remorseful man. If he’d really seen the error of his ways, he’d be a different person. But what we can glean now from Vick is his self-involved goal of being the best NFL player ever.

The NFL too is showing the same signs of ego-stroking. Had Vick been a near retiring bench-warmer , they would never have invited him back. But Vick’s a star. He’s controversial. The Eagles were playing fiercely last year, wouldn’t it be something if he went on to take them to the Superbowl? Just think of the merchandise possibilities!

In a time when our country is battling issues like made up death panels and economic sovereignty, it’s no wonder the NFL jumped at the distraction. Like professional sports in general -- it’s respite from the bullshit lives most people are plodding through. It gives writers a chance to opine ad naseaum. It’s the all-you-can-eat-American-dream.

Vick’s real challenge will never be the boos and jeers from the lifelong haters he made when he hung dogs up in trees and beat them to death. His challenge is that guy in the mirror telling him the world ain’t seen nothing yet. His challenge is the guy playing the remorse card as long as he can, hoping the world forgets and falls into his lap just like a little puppy.