by Stephen Beyer

Created on: February 03, 2008

What happens when you are a poverty survivor with the stardom of the NFL? In the same breath imagine growing up sleeping 10 hours a day and then in an instant, you start sleeping only 4 hours a day. Change is hard for all of us and for Michael Vick, life is no different. We are what we know and Vick knew the world of dog fighting and has from a very young age. We must keep in mind that habit and environment create the end product. Most of us would look at his situation and instantly morally convict Michael Vick, but I would ask you to hold that thought. Set it to the side and think of your own childhood. Are our expectations realistic? I don't believe so and although I feel Michael Vick was wrong and as much as I dislike that treatment of animals, Michael Vick is the end product of his young life. His family and community failed him and he will learn from this.

Michael Vick is an athlete of all athletes and he will get a second chance. Physically he is head and shoulders above the rest and he deserves a that second chance on life. Life equals football for Vick and I believe that football will save his life. Vick's second chance has to come through the NFL because of his history there and that is where the blemishes are that he must remove from his name. Rebuilding trust is key for Vick in this process and I believe that the NFL needs to partner with Vick through this journey. He can become the role model he was and show young adults how to not only overcome adversity, but come out of it a better person. Isn't that what life is about? Isn't that what the young Michael Vick's of the world need. The answer to that is YES! Vick is the tool to fix the past and build a positive future by sharing this story and taking it on like he would an opposing team. Vick is a winner, the problem was, he was taught to win at the wrong things. Now he can redirect that gift and quadruple the impact he has made in his short career. People from all walks of life have done far worse things and have paid less. Let the punishment fit the crime, but allow the punishment to be part of the solution.

In wrapping up my outsiders point of view, let me say this, Michael Vick committed a horrible act and did it repeatedly, but don't count him out. We are all human. We are all imperfect. Everyone deserves a chance to fix a mistake. Make a positive impact on life, right your wrongs and then turn the page. Until next time...

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