When Michael Vick was last seen with the Atlanta Falcons organization his head was down. He was embarrassed, ashamed and a criminal awaiting a sentence that would put a untimely pause on his NFL career. As Vick returns as a Philadelphia Eagle he enters with his head held high. Instead of the troubled youth he was, he is a confident and respectful man that has been through the ups and downs that life has thrown at him.
On June 12th, 2009 the Atlanta Falcons finally decided to part ways with their franchise quarterback. Vick, was serving the remainder of his prison sentence on dog fighting charges under house arrest in Virginia. The move cleared Vick to sign with any NFL team. While the Falcons waited two years to actually release the troubled quarterback it was done with dignity and respect the same dignity and respect Michael Vick will have in his return to Atlanta.
ESPN stated General Manager Thomas Dimitroff of the Falcons said Vick, who has missed two seasons while serving a prison sentence for running a dog fighting ring, deserved to hear first about his release. He said Vick “was upbeat” in the short conversation and was looking forward to moving on. Dimitroff said “He respects him as an individual and as an athlete in this profession. It was the right thing to do and I’m happy that we had a conversation today.”
Vick was the franchise for the Falcons and as a dual-threat he was one of the NFL’s most impressive and fun to watch stars since he came into the league. When all that changed it allowed the Falcons to find the future franchise player QB – Matt Ryan.
Ryan has led the Falcons to a 20-2 record at home and has only lost back to back games three times in his NFL career. After being pummeled by the Chicago Bears last week the Falcons look to revert back to 2010 when they lost their opener and then routed their opponent at home 41-7.
Vick on the other hand admits he has problems when he becomes emotional and over hyped. The atmosphere around him, while familiar, will seem anything but.
After serving an eighteen-month prison sentence for his role in leading a dog-fighting ring, Michael Vick has given observers mixed emotions, and many continue to doubt him. But there is no doubting the statistics and results that he is achieving.
Everyone is entitled to a second chance, and regardless of what anyone says, Michael Vick has served his time and his debt to society.