Michael Vick, who was convicted two years ago for financing a dog fighting ring, has been released from prison and halfway house, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has conditionally reinstated Vick, which means he's eligible to play football this season. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/football/nfl/07/27/vick.reinstated.ap/index.html
Although Vick can participate in preseason practices, and even the last two preseason games, Vick would not be eligible for full reinstatement until Week 6, in October. At that point, Goodell will consider full reinstatement; and, if granted, Vick can play in regular season games.
The problem will be if anyone wants him. A lot of teams have already said they wouldn't sign Vick, including (thank God!) the Cowboys. However, I think Vick's natural athletic ability will be too tempting to resist for someone. And, if reports are true that he really is sorry for what he did and wants a chance to turn his life around, some team will be persuaded to sign him.
I believe in second chances for most people (murderers and pedophiles are the exceptions). What Vick did was unbelievably cruel, and I'm not sure his prison sentence of 18 months was sufficient. But, he's officially paid his debt to society, so I'm willing to conditionally give him a second chance. Instead of six games, however, I would suspend him for half a season--eight games, because he lied to Commissioner Goodell and the police about his involvement, and brought a PR nightmare to the league. Also, I would require him to be involved in a charity for animals. Apparently, Vick has already done this, having met with the Humane Society while in prison. I would closely monitor this, to be sure it's not just a "jailhouse conversion." And, if Vick is so much as ticketed for jaywalking, he's suspended for the rest of the season. But if he meets these requirements, I think at some point, the rest of us have to get on with our lives and let Vick get on with his.
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