One Shot At A Second Chance

The Philadelphia Eagles bravely went where no other National Football League team dared to go when they signed quarterback Michael Vick to a one year deal. Although some interest had been expressed by other teams the Eagles were the ones to get the deal done and good for them for doing it.
Now I am not condoning anything that Vick, the convicted dog fighting ring leader did, and I love dogs but Vick did the time and now its time to give him a second chance.
There are many that do not agree and if they had their way Vick would never play again and probably would be likely if he could land a job anywhere.
But consider the following:
1) Vick paid his time. Some 18 months in prison followed by probation. I am always amazed when those who have paid their debt to society, sex offenders and murderers perhaps excluded, are not allowed to pick up their lives where they can when they get out of jail. What purpose could possibly be served by keeping Vick on the sidelines?
2) Vick has paid financially. A couple of years missed in the National Football League at the height of his career. How many dollars did that cost him.
3) This same National Football League welcomes back convicted sex offenders, drug offenders and others so as barbaric and
cruel as dog fighting is, the man has paid for his crime. How can the NFL rule that Vick's crime is any worse than the above listed even though it did outrage millions of animal lovers, myself included.
The man himself sums it up best.“I think everybody deserves a second chance,” Vick said. “I think as long as you are willing to come back and do it the right way and do the right things and that you’re committed, then I think you deserve it. But you only get one shot at a second chance, and I am conscious of that.
One shot at a second chance. Here's hoping Michael Vick takes that one shot, that second chance and makes it work with the Philadelphia Eagles. He will never silence his critics and might be well served to remember.
Its going to be hard to soar like an Eagle when you are surrounded by turkeys.