As he strolled to the podium in the visitor’s press conference room underneath Giants Stadium, Michael Vick looked calm, yet inside he was filled with excitement. His appearance was clean-cut and his wardrobe consisted of a black long sleeve t-shirt and gray pinstripe dress pants. Just a few months earlier Vick was one of the nation’s most high-profile prisoners, having spent 18 months in jail on federal dogfighting charges. Prison can straighten out many and this certainly was not the cocky, childish Vick that had been portrayed in the media.
The day was Sept. 3, 2009, and Vick had just thrown for 26 yards on 7-for-11 passing with an interceptions and a rushing touchdown against the New York Jets. This was only his second preseason game with the Philadelphia Eagles and coach Andy Reid was taking it slow with his third-string quarterback.
Vick’s performance was a bright spot in the 27-38 Eagles loss. For the 30-year-old, however, the best news came earlier in the day following a meeting with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Vick learned then that he would be reinstated to play in the Eagles’ Week 3 game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
I stood to the directly to the right of Vick as the first question came at him. It was related to his first rushing touchdown since Oct. 15, 2006. Once Vick finished responding, I asked the question everyone wanted an answer to: “Can you talk about your meeting with the commissioner today?” (Listen)
“It was a great meeting, as I expected. We talked about some things and basically he didn’t make his decision at that point in time, but I felt that was what the outcome was. I’ve been doing good and trying to do all the right things and make sure I stay on course. I’m happy with the decision,” Vick responded.
As Vick took other questions, I couldn’t help but stare at his hands, the same ones he used to do unthinkable things to so many dogs. But I also looked at his eyes when he answered my questions, and I saw a man who was truly sorry for what he’d done. He came across as sincere and thankful for a second chance.
That season, Vick appeared in 12 games, mostly in Wildcat formations for Reid’s offense. He’d throw for one score and run for two, while showing the signs of quickness that made him a star. This year, however, Vick has been playing at a different level completely.
Since taking over after starter Kevin Kolb went down with a concussion in Week 1, Vick has emerged as not only a Comeback Player of the Year candidate, but an Offensive Player of the Year one as well. He’s thrown for 11 touchdowns, 1,350 yards and has a quarterback rating of 115.1 in six games. Vick has also run for four touchdowns and 341 yards.
Vick has certainly earned the right to play in the NFL again, with his charitable work and behavior off the field and his performance on it.