Pro-Vick Rallies to Be Held at Michael Vick's Philadelphia Debut

On Thursday night, Michael Vick is set to make his debut with the Philadelphia Eagles after having served time in prison for his involvement in a dog fighting scandal. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell conditionally reinstated Vick into the league on July 27, 2009.

When Michael Vick makes his initial appearance with the Philadelphia Eagles, there will be a massive demonstration at Lincoln Financial field (home stadium for the Eagles), but probably not the one people would expect. Roughly a half-dozen groups will be marching in support of Vick's return to the NFL.

It would be more commonly expected for anti-Vick rallies, and perhaps there will be (although, none have been reported as of yet), but this one is being organized, in part, by the Philadelphia chapter of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People).

"We believe Michael Vick has served his time, paid his debt to society and deserves a second chance and the animal rights groups want to hold him hostage for the rest of his life," J. Whyatt Mondesire, president of the Philadelphia chapter of the NAACP, said Wednesday. "We think that's patently unfair. It denies Michael Vick's basic civil rights, denies him his ability to make a living."

Mr. Mondesire makes a valid point. Michael Vick has already been punished for the crimes he committed. There is no reason the man should not be allowed to resume making a living. Even if his job is to play professional sports, it is still a job at the end of the day.

Charles Barkley once made the case that athletes shouldn't be role models, just because their profession happens to take place in the public eye. That is an interesting point, but the counter-argument can be made that all grown-ups should work to be role models, regardless of how public or influential their position may or may not be.

Part of being a role model entails admitting to doing wrong, when it happens, and also picking up the pieces of your life and putting it back together when it all falls apart. This is where Michael Vick finds himself. Vick has expressed remorse for his crimes and is trying to pick up and move on.

On Thursday, he will find support from various local, Philadelphia groups. But Michael Vick should know that he also has support from anyone who is able to see that a debt has been paid and a man is just trying to get his life together.