Why the NFL should reinstate Michael Vick…Well Maybe.

I am by no means a fan of Michael Vick. I thought he was an over hyped, slightly faster version of Kordell Stewart. I truly believe the future of the Atlanta Falcons is brighter with Matt Ryan under center. However I have decided to go against my beliefs and try to forge a convincing argument as to why Michael Vick should be allowed a second chance to play football in the NFL.

Reason 1: He has paid his debt to society.

Ok I’ll be honest this is one of the few times I feel a pro-athlete is honestly be treated like everyone else, if not being made an example of. Michael Vick served 19 months in a federal prison, had to return 20 million to the Atlanta Falcons for violating his contract, and one million deposited in an escrow account to care for confiscated dogs. He was then forced to file for chapter 11 bankruptcy. In contrast Ray Lewis was indicted for the stabbing murders of Jacinth Baker and Richard Lollar in 2000. The murder charges were dropped and Lewis pled guilty to a misdemeanor charge of obstruction of justice in exchange for testifying against his two companions on the night in question. Ray received one year of probation, no suspension from the league, and was fined $250.000. While the fine was, at the time, the highest in league history it seems like a drop in the bucket compared to the millions that Vick has lost, and possibility will never be able to earn.

Reason 2: Allow Vick the opportunity to prove that he has learned his lesson.

In America there are two things we want from our celebrities number one is to watch them fall, but number two is to see if they can rise from the ashes back to stardom. It seldom happens, but if a team out there is willing to take a chance on Vick, and bring all that baggage that comes with him I say let them do it. Teams still sign T.O. (Before anyone freaks out I’m not comparing Vick to T.O. I’m just saying teams are sometimes willing to accept baggage if they believe the risk is worth the reward.) Hey now there’s an idea maybe Buffalo should sign Vick. Vick to T.O. in Buffalo! Say what you will but it would be the most attention the Bills have had since Jim Kelly was throwing passes to Andre Reed.

Reason 3: This is America the land of second chances.

Think of all the celebrities that have gotten a second chance. Michael Jackson, Mike Tyson, Ron Artest, R. Kelly, Britney Spears, hell we even had to give Bill Clinton a second chance. Not because he cheated on his wife, but because the best he could do was Monica Lewinsky! Really? JFK had Marilyn Monroe couldn’t Bill have at least bagged Madonna? Everyone else has. The bottom line is if Michael Bay is allowed to make Transformers 2, then Michael Vick should be allowed to play football again.