Michael Vick

After 19 months, Michael Vick is out of federal prison for running a dogfighting ring. Vick's still not out of custody yet, as he's now under house arrest until July 20, and then goes on probation for at least 3 years, but he is out of the big house. Though he is still suspended from the league, we can move on to the next question:

Should Michael Vick get the chance to play football again?

Yes, he should.

True, Vick fought, abused, and killed countless dogs for "entertainment". True, Vick has given every indication that he's sorry that he got caught, period. To be fair, it's hard to demonstrate you're serious about changing your life when you're locked in a federal prison. And true, playing in the NFL is a privilege, not a right.

However, Vick committed a crime, went to prison, and as of July 20 will have paid the debt society itself decided it was owed. Once Vick is out, he will be a free man, a free man who deserves a chance to try and get his old job back.

How I could support letting a piece of scum like Vick back into the league? I give you two words: Leonard Little. In 1998, after leaving a birthday party, Little struck and killed a woman in St. Louis. His blew a 0.19 at the scene, more than twice the legal limit. For this, Little was suspended 8 games by the league (in addition to being sentenced to 90 days in jail). After that, he was allowed to return to the league and resume his career. In 2004, Little was charged (though later acquitted, despite failing 3 roadside sobriety tests) with DUI again, admitting at the scene that he had had some drinks that night. Under Goodell's predecessor, Little was suspended 0 games for being dumb enough to drive drunk again after killing someone less than 6 years earlier.

Yes, Goodell changed the league's interpretation of its disciplinary policy after both of Little's brushes with the law, so he doesn't have to be bound by the precedents set before his watch. And Michael Vick didn't "make a bad decision", he systematically tortured and killed many dogs over a prolonged period of time. But Leonard Little killed a person and was not banished for life by the league for it. Then, he showed remorse by driving after a few drinks again years later. Once is a bad decision that unfortunately turned tragic. Twice is a pattern. Michael Vick did a lot of terrible things, but he killed no human being, so banning him for life is unwaranted.

Does this mean Goodell should reinstate Vick immediately on July 20? No. Vick has been punished for his crimes. But simply being involved in the dogfighting ring was a black eye for the league. And when Goodell asked Vick about the charges back when the rumors were flying, Vick lied to Goodell's face and said he wasn't involved.

Goodell should continue Vick's suspension for 4-8 games, but by the halfway point of the 2009 NFL season, Michael Vick should be allowed to play on Sundays if an NFL team will sign him. Because even if he is reinstated, Vick will be a 29-year-old "quarterback" removed from the league for 2 years who's best attribute was his legs. There's no guarantee any of the 32 teams will give Vick a shot, but they should all be given the choice.