8 Reason Why the NFL Need Michael Vick

Americans are serious about our football - about the way we play the game, about the integrity of the game. You can sense it as you walk through airports or stand in line for coffee in the morning. Verbal fights break out and banter turns into the battle of who’s right and who’s wrong - which is strange, when you consider that this is coming from a generation overflowing with low expectations. We’ve always managed to tread water as a society by taking nothing too seriously, always ready to tell the next joke about the latest incompetent politician or celebrity who happens to tickle our fancy that day.But for some reason, the Michael Vick case got to us as a nation. After all, Americans, black and white, love their dogs too.As a result, mere football games that were once the highlight of our Sunday evenings as we watched arguably the greatest athlete of our generation – the human highlight reel – are about to become serious business as Vick prepares to return to the National Football League. Everyone seems to have something to prove.It's idiotic on one level, yet makes total sense when you consider Vick's crime and the depths at which people so passionately care about what happened. But, in the final analysis, we all make mistakes. And once you've served your time, don't you deserve something akin to a clean slate? Plus, most of us have made very stupid ones at that; we just didn’t get caught. That’s the American way, right?Michael Vick should get his second chance at life. Even more important: The NFL needs Vick just as much as he needs it. And here are some reasons why.1. It’s about a sense of forgiveness. Americans are famous for that. We love the underdog; no pun intended. And like Kobe Bryant and the NBA, Vick and the NFL have an opportunity to write a wonderful comeback story. It's the marketing opportunity of a lifetime.2. Vick could definitely be a backup for any of the 32 teams and could be a starter for at least 10 of them right now. 3. With all the issues that NFL has to face with its players - domestic abuse, drug abuse, tardiness and so on, Vick should be a welcome addition to the NFL. No “Pacman” Jones-like behavior here, I promise you.4. With the murder of Steve McNair at the hands of his mistress, the image of the black quarterback took a huge hit publicly. And say what you will, but the expectations are still very different for black quarterbacks, the elite position in all of sports. Vick has an opportunity to reinvent the image once again. The NFL needs more than just Donavon McNabb; it needs a guy like Vick too, who is electrifying, good looking and charismatic enough to change to things around – again.5. The last two years. Can you name anyone who was as exciting to watch as Michael Vick? No. Enough said. His style of play alone is why the NFL needs Vick back; the No Fun League could actually become fun again.6. Every now and then, there is a necessity to do what is right. This is one of those times. It’s just the right thing to do. The man has paid his debt to society, apologized and has done all of the necessary things that Commissioner Roger Goodell has asked him to do. What more can you ask for?7. Vick will be great role model for younger teammates and players who are making their way in the NFL and for children all over the county as well - especially young black men, who will see how thoroughly he has turned his life around by doing the right things. He can be a role model to all on the importance of doing the right thing, socially and financially.8. And finally, the NFL has an opportunity to humanize the league. For so long, they have been our modern-day gladiators, the ultimate man’s sport. This is an opportunity to show that although these men put their bodies on the line every Sunday, they are human, made of flesh and bone, as capable of achieving great feats as they are of making mistakes. Through Vick, we will see this. We can see it now - in his eyes.