CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Grace College graduate Stephen Copeland is making a name for himself for the literary world. Following graduation in 2011, Copeland picked up a job with Sports Spectrum Magazine out of Charlotte, N.C., and has already co-authored two books, the latest being with National Football League star Michael Vick. “I interned with the magazine during the summer of my junior year, then right after graduation I was working as a co-director of sports information at Grace,” Copeland said during a phone conversation while on his way into work today. “I planned to do that all year, but the Sports Spectrum thing came up and I felt the Lord was opening a door.” Copeland said the idea of moving 12 hours away was a bit scary, but now he’s doing fine. During his time at the magazine, he’s done feature stories with Bubba Watson, Webb Simpson, Blake Griffin and Tony Dungy, while also co-authoring the book “The Jersey Effect” with former Notre Dame and Indianapolis Colts punter Hunter Smith. That book came out earlier this summer. The experience of working with such high-profile athletes kept him grounded during his talks with Vick. “It was a little surreal in a way, but I felt prepared based on my experiences from the last year,” he said. “Working on ‘The Jersey Effect’ gave me confidence and my editor and publisher also had confidence in me.” The Vick book, which is due out Sept. 4, is entitled “Finally Free” and focuses on his redemption story. After being one of the most electrifying players in the NFL as the quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons, Vick was convicted of bankrolling an illegal dog-fighting ring in December of 2007. The crime cost him nearly two years in prison and led to his indefinite suspension from the NFL. Upon his release in May of 2009, Vick was reinstated into the NFL in July, later signing with the Philadelphia Eagles. After playing sparingly that year, things took off for him in 2010, when he made the Pro Bowl after passing for 3,018 yards, 21 touchdowns and just six interceptions. It’s his ascension that “Finally Free” focuses on. “The premise of the book is that everyone needs a second chance in life,” Copeland said. “When I was sitting in my apartment late at night, watching videos and listening to my interviews with him, I discovered we’re all Michael Vick. We all need a second chance. I’m grateful the Lord has granted me third, fourth, fifth and sixth chances, because I needed them. “It’s not a tell-all book,” he added. “If someone’s picking it up to read that, it’s not going to be there. This book is focused on redemption.” Copeland became associated with the book late in the process, working with his editor Brett Honeycutt, who’s also a co-author of the book. The work with Vick is just his latest big achievement, but Copeland is far from sitting back and admiring his work. “I don’t take any of this for granted at all,” he said. “I feel God keeps opening doors for me. The more he keeps opening for me, the more I’ll walk through.”
