Belated Musings on that OTHER Controversial Quarterback Signing

So in case you missed it or forgot already, there was a very controversial, very polarizing quarterback. People wondered if he'd return to the NFL or if his career was over. Back in the day, he was one of the most exciting players to watch. Defenses would have to key on him, for better or worse. And he even had some success in the playoffs, as Packer fans remember all too well. Then, he signed a contract and the sports world summarily went apeshit.

Then, the Brett Favre saga went down and he was rendered an afterthought.

Nope, for once I'm not talking about Favre. He wasn't the only high-profile quarterback trying on a new jersey this off-season. Anyone remember Michael Vick? One-time supposed prototype for the new quarterback, the run-and-gun playmaker? The first quarterback ever to win a playoff game on the Frozen Tundra who wasn't wearing a green jersey? And arguably the biggest villain in sports today, when you consider that Barry Bonds hasn't played in almost two years? Also known to a select few doctors at a confidential clinic as Ron Mexico?

In case you missed it, he's back.

(He's back in Philadelphia, no less. You couldn't make this up: the town reknowned for throwing batteries at even Santa Claus is now going to be cheering for Ookie the Dogfighting Kingpin. You've gotta love how the world turns sometimes.)

There are a lot of people who think he shouldn't be back. Public backlash against Vick kind of seems like the cool kid thing to do lately. Forgive me for not joining in myself.

Here's the thing. I'm not for a second going to try and justify what Vick did. Dogfighting is fucking despicable no matter what way you look at it. But Vick was young, popular, talented, and rich. People who are young make mistakes. People who are also loved by an entire city, regarded as one of the most gifted athletes of their generation, and have a Fuck You bankroll make mistakes as well. Combine the two, add in the fact that Vick grew up poor and was pretty much thrust into the good life with no preparation on how to handle it, and it wasn't a matter of if Vick would fuck up somehow, but when.

To make a mistake, especially when you're put in a position where it is easy to make a mistake, is human. It's what you do aftewards that counts. So far, Vick has said all the right things in public. In Tony Dungy, he's got a great mentor looking out for him now. Vick seems to legitimately want to improve himself as a person. And I say he deserves a chance to do that.

In the meantime, let's all get off our damn high horses and see if we can't enjoy one of the best athletes of our generation doing what he does best again.