Land Of Second Chance
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Anthony [email protected]
Maybe that's true.
John Travolta did get a second chance after appearing in "Look Who's Talking," George W. Bush was re-elected in 2004 and now, Michael Vick is back in the NFL.
"You only get one shot at a second chance, and I'm conscious of that," Vick said during Friday's press conference in Philadelphia.
Yeah Mike, and if you blow that, then it's called a third chance.
Yes, since the Eagles signed Vick Thursday, and even before that, the talk around sports shows was all about "second chances."
"This is the country of second chances" -"Everyone deserves a second chance" - blah, blah, blah.
During the half-hour conference, the phrase "second chance" was uttered eight times, five by Vick, two by his mentor Tony Dungy and once by Eagles head coach Andy Reid.
Aahhh, the NFL coming together to give a young man a second chance. How romantic.
While I do agree that everyone deserves a second chance, the Vick signing isn't about giving a man a second chance, it's about winning football games.
Did you get a contract for $1.6 million the last time you got a second chance? Oh, you did? Well, did you get an option for $5.2 million in the second year of that contract? Doubt it.
No, when a regular schlub gets a second chance, it usually means getting in on the ground floor and working your way up. That floor doesn't usually start at $1 million.
But hey, Vick's entitled to go back to work in order to support his family. Lucky for him, he's really fast so he'll see more money in just three short months removed from prison than most of us will see in a lifetime.
"I think we know Michael Vick, two years ago, was one of the greatest quarterbacks in the National Football League," Reid during a moment of honesty. "He has tremendous athletic ability. I've always said to the people of Philadelphia that I would try to bring in best players in to help the football team achieve the highest goal, which is winning the Super Bowl. Mike will contribute."
If you don't know the story by now, the meat-and-potatoes of it is Vick was convicted on Dec. 10, 2007 of running a dogfighting operation, named "Bad Newz Kennels."
The former quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons received a maximum sentence of 23 months in prison, 18 of which he served, after it was determined he bankrolled the operation, which took place in rural Virginia.
During his time in prison, former Indianapolis Colts head coach, and NFL saint, Tony Dungy befriended him, making his transition into the NFL that much easier.
With that all covered, Vick is now back in the league, and may play in the Eagles third preseason game Aug. 27 against Jacksonville at home. He may also play in the following preseason game before NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell makes a permanent decision on his reinstatement, which will take place no later than Week 6 of the regular season.
Between then and now, Vick will look to get into football shape, but hey, the Eagles are more concerned with getting the young man's life straightened out instead of just getting him back on the field right?
"I'm proud of the Philadelphia Eagles," Dungy said. "I know they didn't do it as a charity measure. They feel like Mike's gonna help their football team and be a weapon for them. But they also stepped out and gave a man a second chance. I think that's important."
Ahh, so they can do both - give a second chance and get help on the football field.
"I'm just here to contribute and try to help win a Super Bowl," Vick said.
Regardless of the reason he's in Philadelphia, at least the City of Brotherly Love will welcome him with open arms.
"Not everybody agrees with every decision that's been made," Reid said. "No matter where it is or what organization it is in the National Football League, and in Philadelphia. I know some people will not agree, but I think majority will. Fortunately, in this country, if we handle ourselves in the proper way, we're given the opportunity for second chances. I think people understand that."
In a poll titled "Are you for or against the Eagles signing Vick" on the Philadelphia Inquirer Web site, the fan base was pretty split. Of the 29,414 voters that logged on by 2:53 p.m. Friday, 15,174 (51.6 percent) were against the signing, while the other 14,240 (48.4 percent) were for
Pretty even.
But why wouldn't fans want their team to sign a talent such as Michael Vick?
Oh yeah, that whole dogfighting thing.
"I never thought about it," Vick said about his participation in dogfighting, which involved the killing of underachieving dogs via drowning, electrocution and hanging. "Now, I understand people care about their animals. They care about the welfare and the protection of animals. Now, I do. If I can help more than I hurt then, I'm contributing."
Hey, if he's turned around, awesome. I'm not against him playing in the NFL. Just don't sign the guy then go out there with the sappy story about giving second chances.
Be honest.
An honest response would go something like, "We signed Michael Vick being fully aware of the backlash it would generate. We're aware of his past indiscretions, but are willing to wait out the PETA and other animal rights protests. They'll subside, then we can concentrate on winning a Super Bowl."
See, isn't that a little more honest. It's okay to say what you mean.
Oh wait, it's 2009 America, so it's really not okay to tell the truth. What was a I thinking?
"He aggressively attacked the issue he was presented with, and in a matter not only proactive but sincere," Reid said in a prototypical, politically correct way.
But there were also times when Reid let his true feelings on the issue show.
"He will contribute," he said. "You can ask defensive coordinators on other teams if they're worried about that."
And they will be worried, because he's a rare talent, but some Philly fans may also be worried about the perception the signing will have on the town.
While surfing for information on Vick, I came across a feature on the Philadelphia Daily News Web site, which allowed viewers to click on a photo of 11-month-old pitbull Mojo, which would then take you on a 30-picture slideshow of Philadelphians with their dogs, titled "Dog Days."
"Dog Days pays homage to the relationship between the pooch and their caretakers," the cutline for the slideshow said. "They are with us on a lazy Sunday in Rittenhouse Square or on a special night out at a Camden Riversharks game. These pampered pups are more than just pets, they are family."
Ouch.[[In-content Ad]]
Maybe that's true.
John Travolta did get a second chance after appearing in "Look Who's Talking," George W. Bush was re-elected in 2004 and now, Michael Vick is back in the NFL.
"You only get one shot at a second chance, and I'm conscious of that," Vick said during Friday's press conference in Philadelphia.
Yeah Mike, and if you blow that, then it's called a third chance.
Yes, since the Eagles signed Vick Thursday, and even before that, the talk around sports shows was all about "second chances."
"This is the country of second chances" -"Everyone deserves a second chance" - blah, blah, blah.
During the half-hour conference, the phrase "second chance" was uttered eight times, five by Vick, two by his mentor Tony Dungy and once by Eagles head coach Andy Reid.
Aahhh, the NFL coming together to give a young man a second chance. How romantic.
While I do agree that everyone deserves a second chance, the Vick signing isn't about giving a man a second chance, it's about winning football games.
Did you get a contract for $1.6 million the last time you got a second chance? Oh, you did? Well, did you get an option for $5.2 million in the second year of that contract? Doubt it.
No, when a regular schlub gets a second chance, it usually means getting in on the ground floor and working your way up. That floor doesn't usually start at $1 million.
But hey, Vick's entitled to go back to work in order to support his family. Lucky for him, he's really fast so he'll see more money in just three short months removed from prison than most of us will see in a lifetime.
"I think we know Michael Vick, two years ago, was one of the greatest quarterbacks in the National Football League," Reid during a moment of honesty. "He has tremendous athletic ability. I've always said to the people of Philadelphia that I would try to bring in best players in to help the football team achieve the highest goal, which is winning the Super Bowl. Mike will contribute."
If you don't know the story by now, the meat-and-potatoes of it is Vick was convicted on Dec. 10, 2007 of running a dogfighting operation, named "Bad Newz Kennels."
The former quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons received a maximum sentence of 23 months in prison, 18 of which he served, after it was determined he bankrolled the operation, which took place in rural Virginia.
During his time in prison, former Indianapolis Colts head coach, and NFL saint, Tony Dungy befriended him, making his transition into the NFL that much easier.
With that all covered, Vick is now back in the league, and may play in the Eagles third preseason game Aug. 27 against Jacksonville at home. He may also play in the following preseason game before NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell makes a permanent decision on his reinstatement, which will take place no later than Week 6 of the regular season.
Between then and now, Vick will look to get into football shape, but hey, the Eagles are more concerned with getting the young man's life straightened out instead of just getting him back on the field right?
"I'm proud of the Philadelphia Eagles," Dungy said. "I know they didn't do it as a charity measure. They feel like Mike's gonna help their football team and be a weapon for them. But they also stepped out and gave a man a second chance. I think that's important."
Ahh, so they can do both - give a second chance and get help on the football field.
"I'm just here to contribute and try to help win a Super Bowl," Vick said.
Regardless of the reason he's in Philadelphia, at least the City of Brotherly Love will welcome him with open arms.
"Not everybody agrees with every decision that's been made," Reid said. "No matter where it is or what organization it is in the National Football League, and in Philadelphia. I know some people will not agree, but I think majority will. Fortunately, in this country, if we handle ourselves in the proper way, we're given the opportunity for second chances. I think people understand that."
In a poll titled "Are you for or against the Eagles signing Vick" on the Philadelphia Inquirer Web site, the fan base was pretty split. Of the 29,414 voters that logged on by 2:53 p.m. Friday, 15,174 (51.6 percent) were against the signing, while the other 14,240 (48.4 percent) were for
Pretty even.
But why wouldn't fans want their team to sign a talent such as Michael Vick?
Oh yeah, that whole dogfighting thing.
"I never thought about it," Vick said about his participation in dogfighting, which involved the killing of underachieving dogs via drowning, electrocution and hanging. "Now, I understand people care about their animals. They care about the welfare and the protection of animals. Now, I do. If I can help more than I hurt then, I'm contributing."
Hey, if he's turned around, awesome. I'm not against him playing in the NFL. Just don't sign the guy then go out there with the sappy story about giving second chances.
Be honest.
An honest response would go something like, "We signed Michael Vick being fully aware of the backlash it would generate. We're aware of his past indiscretions, but are willing to wait out the PETA and other animal rights protests. They'll subside, then we can concentrate on winning a Super Bowl."
See, isn't that a little more honest. It's okay to say what you mean.
Oh wait, it's 2009 America, so it's really not okay to tell the truth. What was a I thinking?
"He aggressively attacked the issue he was presented with, and in a matter not only proactive but sincere," Reid said in a prototypical, politically correct way.
But there were also times when Reid let his true feelings on the issue show.
"He will contribute," he said. "You can ask defensive coordinators on other teams if they're worried about that."
And they will be worried, because he's a rare talent, but some Philly fans may also be worried about the perception the signing will have on the town.
While surfing for information on Vick, I came across a feature on the Philadelphia Daily News Web site, which allowed viewers to click on a photo of 11-month-old pitbull Mojo, which would then take you on a 30-picture slideshow of Philadelphians with their dogs, titled "Dog Days."
"Dog Days pays homage to the relationship between the pooch and their caretakers," the cutline for the slideshow said. "They are with us on a lazy Sunday in Rittenhouse Square or on a special night out at a Camden Riversharks game. These pampered pups are more than just pets, they are family."
Ouch.[[In-content Ad]]
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