During the second week of the 2010–11 NFL season, to the dismay of some NFL fans, Michael Vick was named the Philadelphia Eagles’ starting quarterback. Vick, as we all know, was drafted by the Eagles last season with the intention that he just be a wild quarterback. However, Vick’s situation almost embodies what redemption stands for. He served his two years in federal prison and now shows signs of the superstar athlete he once was. During the first week, Michael Vick replaced Kevin Kolb after he suffered a concussion in the first half of a week one game against the Green Bay Packers. He rallied the Eagles from a 20-3 deficit with 175 receiving yards and 103 rushing yards in a 27-20 loss to the Packers. The following week, Vick led the Eagles to a 35-32 victory Sunday at Detroit, his first start since 2006 before serving a 20-month sentence for a federal dogfighting conviction. He was 21 of 34 for 284 yards with two touchdown passes. Eagles coach Andy Reid had said Kevin Kolb would remain the starter, but that all changed today. He said that with the problems the offensive line is going through, Michael’s style of play would be a better fit. He also said that Vick, now 30, is a smarter quarterback and a better pocket passer than ever in his career in Atlanta.

Vick’s success on and off the field has continued so far throughout this NFL season, making him the most talked about topic in the league. After his record breaking performance against the Washington Redskins, many people started saying that Vick is the MVP in the league right now. The sad thing is that while people acknowledge this man’s big game, others still throw him under the bus for his dogfighting conviction. I’m actually pretty happy for this guy, but a lot of people didn’t want to see him succeed because of what he did to the dogs. The way I see it is that he did his time, and now he’s just trying to make a living like everyone else. Everyone should be giving life a second chance, and he’s making the most of it. People don’t realize that it was by no means easy. You have to remember that this is a guy who went from having the biggest contract in NFL history one day, while he filed for bankruptcy the next. I just wonder what it would be like if this same story happened to one of the league’s beloved quarterbacks, like Tom Brady or Peyton Manning. I’m pretty sure they wouldn’t get the same backlash this man got during his second chance at life.