YARDS 413, DEAD DOGS 0

When he was sentenced to prison for running a dog fighting ring in August, 2007, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was one of the most hated persons in America. Many sports writers, pundits and Average Joe's weren't satisfied that Vick lost his top celebrity job as a first rank quarterback, his millions in salary and endorsement fees, his adulation by a sports obsessed populous, and his freedom. No, they wanted a lifetime ban of Vick to prevent him from ever again earning a living at the only talent he ever possessed (dog fighting mogul not included).

At the time I sided with giving Vick a long shot chance of getting back to the NFL after a two year stretch in the pokey would most likely have diminished his playing skills stating: "a reformed, redemptive Michael Vick, piling up yardage instead of dead dogs would be a shining example to America's youth and fellow parolees to have a life after prison. If he makes it back to the NFL, I'll root for him, as I do all underdogs" (USA Today, August 29, 2007).

Last Monday, Vick quarterbacked his new team, the Philadelphia Eagles to a 59-28 shellacking of the Washington Redskins in what some analysts called the greatest quarterback performance ever. How good was Vick? He piled up 413 yeads (333 passing, 80 rushing) which included 4 touchdown passes and two rushing touchdowns.

I hope America's youth and Vick's fellow parolees were watching Monday and taking notes on Vick's return from the abyss. He's living up to the hope I had for him to offer hope to the hopeless. Those who obsess over everlasting punishment for wrongdoers could learn a lesson from Vick as well: forgiveness.