The Man Who Has Been Through It All

Michael Vick signed a six-year, $100 millioncontract on
Monday to remain with the Eagles for possibly the rest of
his playing days. Despite his checkered past this second
chance is well deserved for the former Atlanta Falcon.

Say what you want, but today we witnessed something extraordinary – a man getting a second chance.

Michael Vick has always been one of my favorite players. He was absolutely electrifying at Virginia Tech, and that sheer athleticism made him a crowd favorite in Atlanta early in his career.

But then he got mixed up with the wrong crowd.

Still a young pup (oops, too soon?), Vick started making headlines for more off-the-field issues than the ones on the field. From his days as Ron Mexico – his alias name after he infected a woman with herpes – to the marijuana bust and dog fighting, Vick was losing his charm and heading down the wrong path in a hurry.

Something must have happened in jail, though. He came out a changed man – he grew up.

Now, he just signed a six-year, $100 million contract, and I, for one, could not be happier for him. While most young people continue down the path of destruction, he recognized where he was headed and changed his life back around. He worked hard to become the athlete that he once was, and now is reaping the rewards.

And kudos to the Eagles and their staff. They all deserve a round of applause for even giving Vick a chance. There were dozens of teams that would have loved to have Vick's athletic ability on the field, but shied away from him because of his checkered past.

Not the Eagles.

They met the problem head-on, realizing everyone deserves a second chance. They laid down the ground rules for Vick, and basically told him that if he didn't follow those rules, he'd be out of a job. And Vick knew this was his last chance.

We're starting to see a similar development in the case of former Ohio St. quaterback Terrelle Pryor and the Oakland Raiders. Oakland took Pryor in the supplemental draft, costing them a third-round pick next year. But the question is, can they keep him out of trouble and on the field? If I were Mr. Pryor, I'd be constantly texting and talking to Vick – a man who has been through it all.

And while some of you might not agree with me, let me be the first to say it: Welcome back to the top, Mike. We missed you. Now just stay on the right path and you'll do great.

After all, everybody deserves a second chance, right?