Why Michael Vick should be reinstated into the NFL

A former college football star, a record setting NFL quarterback, a former No.1 pick, the face of the Atlanta Falcons franchise and one of the most exciting sportsmen on the planet. Michael Vick has fallen as far as anybody could; he signed a 10 year, $130 million dollar in 2004, becoming the highest paid player ever. Before leaving prison recently, to finish his 23 month sentence under home confinement, he was earning less than a dollar a day for yard work.

However, sympathy should not be an element under consideration for Vick's potential reinstatement into the NFL. Vick is bankcrupt and will be forced to sell at least one of his remaining two luxury homes, if not both, and will certainly be unable to live in the manner (or support his friends) he once did.

Here are the charges he must answer after his sentence expires in July:

Remorse - This was one of the sticking points in his trial; He was found guilty of lying about his level of involvement in the 'Bad NewZ Kennels' dog fighting ring and U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson was doubtful that Vick sufficiently accepted responsibility at the time of his sentencing. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will need to see that Vick, a first-time offender, has learnt from his almost two year prison time, immense humiliation and a forever tarnished image, millions in lost earnings and inability to play the game that took him, his family and friends from a crime-ridden ghetto to the NFL penthouse. For Vick's sake, I can only hope he has.

Precadent - What kind of message does Goodell send (and any potential suitor to sign him) if he lifts the indefinate suspension on Vick? Every animal charity will go ballistic for a start. That kind of negative publicity is not what the disciplinarian Goodell will want and PETA may not be the only interest group that offers opposition. Vick has set a desperate example to anybody who followed him previously and his crimes were, in the words of the commissioner, 'cruel and reprehensible.' From the perspective of a man who has never had a dog and last owned a pet as a child, the thought of electrocuting, hanging, drowning and beating dogs to death seems beyond the scope of my comprehension.

Leonard Little, the Rams defensive end, was convicted of killing a women after running a red-light while under the influence in 1998; he was given a suspended 90 day jail sentence and banned for 8 games by the NFL. Vick did not kill a human being, something that, in my opinion, would have been worse than anything he did, or aided done, to a canine. No doubt Vick's actions, even if they only constituted providing the setting and funds for the dog fighting ring (and thats the best case scenario), were foolish and barbarous but if Vick is truly able to accept his role, show that his anguish is genuine and be a positive member of the NFL family then I don't believe that he provides a negative paradigm to be exposed by future wrong-doers. Vick has already donated almost $1 million for the care of the 54 pit bulls seized from the dog fighting organisation (admittedly at the request of federal authorities). He made a terrible error, a deliberate and inhumane one, but shouldn't he be allowed to return to his livelyhood after paying his penance?

Attitude - The result of a prison term must surely have left an imprint on the mindset of Michael Vick and questions will be raised as to what kind of man and player returns to the league. Is this a guy who will do everything to return at 100% physical fitness, stay out of trouble off the field and be a role model to his fans? He will be booed and goaded wherever he goes for the rest of his career and will also have to deal with numerous off-field problems getting his life in order. Is he strong enough to do that and can he sever the negative associations that have plagued him to this point? To become a professional athlete at the highest level it takes dedication, discipline and determination. Vick will have to count on these traits and far more to even survive his future unscathed but while such a future is uncertain, and his leash (should he return) will be short, he could prove an awful lot to the NFL, his team mates and his fans about the potential of rehabilitation. If he could come back and perform both on and off the field, he would be an advert for strength and humility. There is no defence to his actions but no man should labeled for their mistakes forever. The penal system relies on the basis of rehabilitation and that men leave prison accepting and remorseful of their crime. Men can change.

Michael Vick must decide if he wishes to return. His bankcruptcy plans have relied on the premise that he plays in the NFL, he himself has said that he could play for the next ten years. Clearly, with his image destroyed, he can garner no interest in endorsements and needs to repay his various creditors (to which he owes millions). An NFL contract, even a lowly paid one, would provide his best potential source of income but I dearly hope that this is not his main motivation to return to the league. Approaching 30 and two years removed from any formal training, Vick may not be the athlete or player he once was and without full commitment both has little chance to return to the top. Vick will have to work even harder than ever to persuade owners, coaches and teammates to accept him into their clubhouses and even harder to win over the fans.

I think he should get the chance to prove himself once again. His suspension could remain until this time next year; firstly to give him some time to stabilise his life (and probably work construction mixed in possibly with playing in the newly formed United Football League) and secondly to allow the next NFL season to be played without his inevitable distraction. Vick would re-enter the league clear of bankcrupty proceedings and a further year removed from his crime and sentence. In addition, it would give the chance for Goodell and various team owners to really gauge how Vick has responded to his incarceration and whether he is physically and mentally able to return.

No.7 was the No.1 attraction in the league; you tuned in to watch Vick. Now, we will tune in to see if anyone gives him chance No.2.