Vick Shall Rise Again

OK.  I’m just going to say it and be done with it.  There have been as many points of view and opinions on Michael Vick as there are columnists and talking heads.  I even threw my $0.02 in when I compared the outrage over Vick to the outrage, or lack thereof, for Ray Lewis’ involvement in a double homicide.  So without further adding to the media overkill that is this Vick circus, I want to put my twist on it.  Just a day after Vick officially pled guilty to his crimes, I would like to submit my hypothesis that once Vick has done his prison time and is a free man, the American public will have completely forgiven him and we will see him play in the NFL again.  Whether or not it’s for the Falcons again is another topic, but mark my words, Michael Vick will be back.

Think about it.  While Vick may be losing millions of dollars in salary, bonuses, and endorsements, he still has millions in the bank and can afford the best PR team money can buy.  In the coming weeks and months before Vick’s sentencing, when his PR team is done, most Americans will have a different opinion on him.  Until yesterday, Vick has been rather quiet about the whole thing.  Yesterday we saw a man who clearly understands he made a mistake, and many stupid decisions.  He vowed to redeem himself.  Am I wrong, or is this Vick’s first offense?  Mike Vick that is.  Not his lunatic brother, Marcus, who will be joining him behind bars eventually.  Isn’t over a year in prison kind of harsh for a first offense, non-violent crime?  Anyway, the more Vick can get on camera and deplore his actions, and speak out against dog fighting, the more we can humanize Vick and gradually dislike him less.  Then, he’ll go to jail.  We won’t hear or see him for months. 

In that time, a lot will happen that will make this whole case practically erase from America’s memory.  Let me take you back to last March.  A certain shock jock named Don Imus calls the Rutgers Women’s basketball team three certain words.  There is outrage everywhere.  Advertisers on his show are pulling out.  CBS is under fire.  A hailstorm of criticism is unleashed on him for a stupid phrase he didn’t even invent.  CBS eventually fires Imus.  The next week, a depressed whack job from Virginia Tech kills 33 kids and we don’t even remember what a “nappy-headed ho” is.  OK, back to present time, and the rumor mill is placing Imus back on the air, this time for either ABC or Sirius.  Why?  Because the man will get ratings and make the radio stations money.  The same thing is true with Michael Vick.  He is electric.  He is exciting.  He will sell out stadiums and kids will still buy his jersey.  In short, Michael Vick is profitable.  So give Vick’s PR team a year to reshape his image, and give all the other idiots in the world a chance to screw up and help America forget about Bad News Kennels.  When Vick is released, NFL teams will be lining up to sign him.

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