The UnderDog

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Does Vick deserve a second chance?

Star Quarterback Michael Vick has been through the worst of the worst and still manages to play the sport that he has loved throughout his lifetime. In 2007 quarterback Michael Vick was indicted for illegal activities that involved animal cruelty on the property that he owned in Surry County, Virginia. In April 2007 Vick’s cousin was arrested on drug related charges while staying with Vick. This led authorities to search Vick’s house for other drug activities. While under a search warrant police found what seemed to appear as a training camp for dogs and a fighting ring designed for dogs.

Turns out Vick was more involved with this program other than it being his property. By this program being on Vick’s property he was charged with animal cruelty. According to USA Today, after being charged Vick admitted to funding the illegal dog-fighting operation and was sentenced to 23 months in a federal prison. So as an act of accepting responsibility for his actions Vick agreed to start his sentencing early according to ESPN. Although the court system states that we are innocent until proven guilty, the World had already turned their back on Vick long before his conviction. After his conviction Vick was released from the Atlanta Falcons team and also released from his 10-year, $130 million contract.

Vick was placed in a federal prison in Kansas where he started serving his time. While in prison Vick played on the yard football (prison football) with other inmates to make time pass by and for his own physical reasons. It’s somewhat an advantage over the other team to have a star NFL QB on your side so he played QB for both teams. Vick also played prison football in hopes of getting better for another chance to return to the sport that he onced loved.

After just serving 19 months in a federal prison Vick got the opportunity to finish the rest of his time on house arrest. While placed on three years probation the unemployed quarterback planned his comeback. Vick’s first step on his road to redemption was to prove to the World that he was sorry for his actions and that he was a changed person. By doing so Vick donated $1 million to the animal hospital for hurt dogs including the ones he hurt. Vick also started traveling the U.S. speaking to schools about animal cruelty and asking forgiveness.

In June 2009 Mike Vick was enlisted back in the NFL by the commissioner Roger Goodell and a month later signed by the Philadelphia Eagles. Vick signed a first year $1.6 million contract with the Eagles and a option for a second season and has been there since. In 2010 Vick released his first book titled, Finally Free. According to NFL.com the book goes into specific details about his life before, during, and after the detour from his career in the NFL. Michael vick has done wrong in the eyes the world, but making his wrong right is what makes him human.