Vick’s second chance

Nobody saw this coming.

Neither did I.

That’s until my father called me with the news: “The Eagles signed Michael Vick!”

After a few minutes of “What the…” and “Wow!”, it drew on me that many people weren’t going to be happy with this signing…not happy at all. After all, what owner or coach or teammate or fan wants an ex-convict on his or her football team? And not just an ex-convict, but an animal murderer.

Two years ago, Vick was arrested for running a secret dogfighting ring known as the “Bad Newz Kennels”, later pleading guilty to the charges against him. Vick was then sentenced to 23 months in jail.

Yet I am proud. I’m proud of the Eagles, of Donovan McNabb for being a catalyst in the signing process and of coach Reid and Jeff Lurie for doing something as honorable as this. I am excited to see Vick on the field once again. I SUPPORT MICHAEL VICK, and here’s why:

While in jail, Vick began to receive mutual mentoring from one of the most respected NFL coaches in recent history, Tony Dungy. After he retired from coaching, Dungy started to dedicate part of his life to helping inmates discover themselves…whether that meant finding G-d, or just realizing that what they did was wrong. For Michael Vick, Dungy did not only help him discover himself, but made him want to prevent others from traveling down the same path.

So he took action.

Vick has traveled to many different cities across the United States explaining to people how dogfighting consumed his life, and why it is wrong. He has spoken in Chicago, Sacramento, and many other cities around the United States. As I read an article about one of Vick’s speeches, one fact struck me hard:

“Vick said he was first exposed to dogfighting in his native Virginia when he was only 7 years old.”

Think about that. If you were raised to think that dogfighting was fun and okay, you would probably be doing it right now. At the same time, what if Vick had been raised differently? What if he had never been introduced to dogfighting when he was 7…make it 14, 18, 20…maybe he wouldn’t be in the position he is in today. When a child is 7, he/she is more open to accepting things, whether they are right or wrong. Vick happened to learn about a wrong activity at a wrong time in his life.

Which brings us to yesterday.

Overreaction swept Eagles’ Nation. Immediate boycotts and threats ensued: fans warned they would wear dog masks at the games, while others claimed that they were so disgusted with their team that they no longer wish to be an Eagles’ fan.

Well I’m disgusted, also. I’m disgusted with the Eagles fans out there that are doing what I just described. You aren’t perfect. People live in different environments, and come across different situations in life. Some of us are set up in nice, pretty neighborhoods, where the biggest mistake you can make is doing drugs or speeding on the highway. However, some live in neighborhoods where the mistakes that you can make are bigger, badder…and have bigger and badder consequences. So whether you live in Cherry Hill or Detroit or Beverley Hills, people are going to be introduced to different possible mistakes.

And the most honorable thing that a person can do would be to take responsibility for their actions and mistakes. And Michael Vick has done just that. Some aren’t fully convinced that he’s done so, and you know what? That’s okay! Some say it’s because they don’t trust him yet, and that’s okay, also. But give him a chance to earn back your trust on and off the playing field. As you watch ESPN and CSN during the Eagles 2009 (Superbowl) season, please listen to stories on Vick, and his progress with his family and the community, because those are his goals.

All of us have made mistakes that, whether they are small or large, have been forgiven or forgotten. The Eagles aren’t trying to help Michael Vick forget or even be forgiven for what he did, but they believe that everybody on earth deserves a second chance at life.

 

“Failure is the opportunity to begin again, more intelligently.”-Henry Ford

 

Vick an Eagle

Michael Vick, the former NFL star who fell from grace after running and operating a dogfighting ring and serving 18 months of jail time, signed a one year contract with the Eagles on Thursday night.  Vick’s committed his crime in Newport News, VA, where he managed the dogfights with his childhood friends. Now, his contract with the Eagles includes a team option for a second year and is worth $1.6 million.  Vick’s signing has sparked debate and scrutiny in Philadelphia, along with the rest of the country, due to the heinous crimes Vick committed.

Eagles coach Andy Reid strongly supports Vick.

Reid said, “As long as people go through the right process, they deserve a second chance.”

Some believe that Reid’s sons, who have both encountered trouble with the law, have influenced Reid’s philosophy that everyone deserves a second chance. They believe that Reid seeks the same second chance for his two sons.

On the contrary, not everyone in the Eagles organization supports Vick’s signing.  Owner Jeffrey Lurie, the man who ultimately signs off on all major decisions, struggled morally with allowing Vick to sign with his team. As a dog lover, Lurie was uncertain if Vick should be allowed on the team after his horrid crime with dogs.

“Meeting with Michael, I felt the self hatred, I felt the remorse,” said Lurie, who then began to believe Vick would be proactive in preventing further harm to animals in inner cities.

Lurie not only met with Vick but also his mentor and former NFL coach, Tony Dungy, as well as NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

The most surprising supporter of bringing Vick to Philadelphia was Eagles starting quarterback Donovan McNabb.  McNabb reportedly initiated the pursuit of Vick when he text messaged Reid in July after commissioner Goodell reinstated Vick to the NFL. The text simply read, “sign him.”

In the past, McNabb has not reacted well to competition in the quarterback position (such as when the team drafted quarterback Kevin Kolb or when the fans shouted for Jeff Garcia to start a game after his great success as an Eagles’ backup).  However, McNabb and Vick are great friends, so McNabb wanted to give Vick a chance to turn his life around.

Now, the most interesting part of the journey will begin with one question: Can Vick stay true to his word and be a crusader against animal cruelty?  If he follow through with that and help Reid, McNabb, Lurie and the rest of the Eagles’ fans capture the elusive Super Bowl Championship, the risk will surely have paid off.

Eagles face tough challenge Sunday

Sunday is approaching, and once again, the Philadelphia Eagles have a shot to go to the Super Bowl. The Eagles have to face a tough challenge against the peeking Arizona Cardinals. In an earlier meeting, on Thanksgiving, the Eagles defeated the Cardinals, 48-20. In the demanding victory, the Eagles loaded pressure on Kurt Warner, forcing multiple turnovers. This Sunday the Eagles will look to continue their defensive success.

 

While many people may be confident, fans should know that this time the Eagles play a very different Cardinals team. The Cardinals have improved their rushing game throughout the playoffs drastically. Edgerrin James has rushed for 130 yards throughout the postseason, and Tim Hightower has added 99 rushing yards. It will be interesting to see the Cardinals with an improved rushing game. The Cardinals are also letting up the least yards out of any other team in the playoffs. The Eagles are trying to stay cautious, and make sure they don’t look to far ahead.

Brian Dawkins said in a recent interview with ESPN, “There is no time for looking past anybody…We’re on the road, in hostile environment. We’re not looking at that last game and thinking the same thing is going to happen again. We understand it’s going to be tough to win and we will have to have our A-game to do it.”

The Eagles will surely not be looking past Cardinals star wide receiver, Larry Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald has had 267 receiving yards, and has two touchdowns in the postseason. On their last meeting, Fitzgerald had two touchdowns and 65 yards. Containing him, along with Anquan Boldin will be a tough test for the Eagles.

Look forward to another exciting playoff game, with excitement of both sides of the field. The game starts at 3:00 PM, on Fox.

Eagles at Ravens Recap

A week after a crushing tie with the Bengals, the Eagles were walloped by the Ravens 36-7. Not only was the game lost, but also fans now realize that one of the most prosperous eras in Eagles history is likely coming to a close. After a lackluster offensive performance by the offense, Andy Reid replaced Quarterback Donovan McNabb with Kevin Kolb, a player the Eagles drafted two years ago. Even though the Eagles were only down 10-7 at the time, the offense had not been able to get anything going, and their only touchdown came off a 100-yard Quintin Demps kickoff return. McNabb threw two interceptions in the half and lost a fumble.

Kolb did not fare any better in the second half, throwing two more interceptions, one of which was returned 108 yards for a touchdown by Ravens safety Ed Reed. The Eagles defense did not do poorly, but the offense often put them in troubling position. Reid does not yet know whether he will start McNabb or Kolb on Thanksgiving night against Arizona. He will decide early in the week.

Eagles and Bengals end in tie

The Eagles and the Bengals tied yesterday in a rare occurrence in the NFL with a 13-13 final score. Shayne Graham missed a potential game winning 47 yard field goal in the last seconds of overtime.

The Eagles were expected to win this game as the Bengals had a 1-8 record coming in. The Eagles’ offense struggled throughout the game. McNabb racked up passing yardage and ended up with 339 yards, but tied for a career high with three interceptions, and also added a fumble. The Eagles’ lone touchdown of the game was a four-yard pass from McNabb to Tight End LJ Smith.

Both teams had numerous opportunities in the final minutes of regulation and in overtime to win the game, but neither team capitalized.

The Eagles’ defense had eight sacks in the game with Trent Cole and Darren Howard leading with two sacks apiece. While the Eagles’ defense held the Bengals during most of the game, TJ Houshmandzadeh had a stellar performance with149 receiving yards and a touchdown.

There has not been a tie in an NFL game since November 10, 2002. The Eagles’ record is now 5-4-1.