The redemption of Michael Vick

The redemption of Michael Vick continues unabated.


The man who spent two years in a federal prison for running a dogfighting operation is back in the news this morning.


Some people will continue to call Vick, who surprised everyone last year by starring in his second chance with the Eagles, a convict.


This morning they will have to call him something else.


The $100 million man.


The Eagles last night cemented Vick as the face of their franchise. They will pay Vick that princely sum - $40 million of which is guaranteed - to be their leader over the next six years.  It will leave no small number of their once loyal fans seething once again that the Birds have fallen in love with a guy who killed dogs.


You can read Jack McCaffery's account of the Vick deal here.


With his new deal, Vick once again is among the pantheon of superstar NFL quarterbacks such as Peyton Manning and Tom Brady.


I have no problem with Vick getting a second chance, nor with him cashing in. Vick does things that very few people on this planet can do. The going rate for those skills is astronomical.


Yes, those are now six zeroes on Vick’s annual salary.


His detractors will simply continue to label Vick as a zero.


They don’t care if he again leads the Eagles to the playoffs. Or even if he wins a Super Bowl.


Last year Vick did everything imaginable in attempts to make amends for the actions that landed him in federal prison.


For some people, he can just stop trying. They are never going to forgive him.


To them he will simply be a very well-paid dog killer.


I know many people who have turned their backs on the Eagles over the Vick saga.


Not everyone is ready to forgive Michael Vick, let alone pay him $100 million along the way.


Count me out. Vick deserves whatever he can get. He has been an exemplary citizen since his return to the NFL in an Eagles jersey.


For now, his fortune will rise and fall by what he does on the field, so long, of course, that he stays on the straight and narrow.


Michael Vick was given a second chance. He has literally taken the ball and run with it.


That is the way the system is supposed to work.


Go for it, Mr. Vick.


 

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