Give Mike a Chance

Michael Vick is expected to be a free man by summer, and with his release from Leavenworth he faces an even stricter judge in NFL commish Roger Goodell. Vick has been linked to the Vikings and the 49ers, however any team that gives the former Pro Bowl QB a chance at resurrecting a once promising career will face public backlash from the vocal animal rights contingency.

Even after 2 years out of the NFL, Vick is still the elite NFL QB who was once the face of the Atlanta Falcons. Once armed with a 9 figure contract and with the distinction of gracing the 2004 Madden cover, Vick is now facing bankruptcy and a ruined reputation. While no one will dispute that the former Falcons QB clearly deserved to serve prison time for funding an illegal dog fighting operation, the gross hypocrisy of the NFL in handling Vick's case is laughable.

Assault. Manslaughter. Illegal weapons possession. Domestic abuse. These are but a few of the offenses littering the rosters of teams around the NFL, yet Vick has been labeled a "threat to society" and will likely be suspended again by Commissioner Goodell once he is released from his 23 month sentence. A 23 month sentence which comes out to about 2 years, almost 2/3rds the prison time former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson served for a RAPE conviction. Vick has never failed a single drug test, let alone multiple tests (see Ricky Williams), yet will likely stand on the sidelines while admitted drug users continue to play football and rake in millions. Vick has never been accused of assault, manslaughter, or anything related to physically harming another human being. Which brings to mind Pro Bowl DE Leonard Little of the St. Louis Rams. For all of you who do not know the story of Little, the then Rams rookie ran a stop light coming home after a birthday celebration. He caused a collision which killed 47 year old Susan Gutweiler. A field breath test measured Little's BAC at .19, nearly TWICE the legal limit.

Little pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, served 90 days in jail and was suspended 8 games by then commissioner Paul Tagliabue. He later returned to the Rams and developed into one of league's premier pass rushers. Simply put, when weighed against manslaughter, dog fighting charges start to seem a bit trivial.

So here's to Michael Vick, a former #1 overall pick, 3 time Pro Bowl QB, and 2005 Madden cover athlete, and his right to a fair decision from the Commish and the public.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKDEAx9Z3Q4&feature=related
VICK highlight reel