Top Stories Of 2010, No. 1: Michael Vick’s Redemption
It has truly been a remarkable year in Philadelphia sports, but nothing can come close to the enormity of the Michael Vick Redemption Tour. Vick is one of the biggest stories in sports, but he is also one of the biggest stories in American society.
Michael Vick is far and away the most discussed topic in Philadelphia this year.
His performance this year has parents talking to children about forgiveness, football fans debating MVPs, the shouts of animal rights extremists being drowned out, politicians rushing to be seen as his ally, one attention-seeking talking head claiming he should’ve been executed, and even, for the most part, cynics’ cynicism melting away.
It is truly an American story of Biblical proportions. Rags to riches to rags to riches. A story of immense talent squandered, then realized way past what most assumed was the expiration date on that talent. A story that shows a little bit of wisdom can come after a great fall. And that perseverance and hard work can overcome even the most hopeless situation. Especially when accompanied by world-class talent.
Somehow, even though he had served a year-and-a-half in prison, Michael Vick still had not fully learned his lesson, and spent the first half of 2010 as just another chucklehead from the ‘hood, hanging out and screwing around. And then the 30th birthday party happened. And Vick finally realized that there was no margin for error, that every minute of every day was a reflection of who he really was, that potential was pointless.
As Bill Parcells once said, you are who you are. That doesn’t just apply to football teams; it applies to human beings too.
So, by all accounts, even if there are plenty of people who refuse to believe it, Vick became a much better human being. Harder working, more humble. And that’s how he became a much better quarterback.
Greatness is built in the film room and the gym on Tuesday afternoons when no one is watching. Vick went to work, and on Sunday afternoons and nights we began to see the greatness.
We got to see Vick zip the ball 65 yards on a string. We got to see him scan the field and find the open receiver. We got to see him duck and dive and dart away from frustrated defenders. We got to see his teammates rally around him. We got to see him take over games. We got to see him lead the greatest Eagles comeback ever.
We got to see him in press conferences, transformed into the honest, self-critical yet still confident leader everybody wants for their football team.
We got to see snippets of him talking to children about overcoming mistakes. We got to see him interviewed over and over, patiently answering the same questions about his past without a trace of bitterness.
Not so long ago, Michael Vick was one of the most hated men in America – shockingly, that’s not hyperbole. Now, he is winning over the American public. Many are impressed with his redemption. Many just want to watch him play football. And there are still plenty of folks who want to see him fail and who will never forgive him.
But everybody has an opinion on Vick. Everybody – whether or not they are sports fans – can hold a 15-minute conversation about him. They can marvel at him on the field, they can debate whether or not he should be allowed to play, they can admire his comeback and they can curse him for saying he wants to own a dog.
Michael Vick is far and away the top sports story in Philadelphia in 2010. And the best part? The story isn’t finished.
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