Opinion: Michael Vick must first prove reform

Ever since Michael Vick's release from a federal prison Wednesday, the sports media has been in a frenzy about what will happen to the man who was once the highest-paid player in the NFL.

Vick, 29, still has plenty of years worth of potential playing time ahead of him; whether he gets another chance is largely up to him.

AP Suspended NFL quarterback Michael Vick steps out onto the deck while testing out his electronic monitor worn on his ankle, Thursday, May 21, 2009 in Hampton, Va. Vick arrived at his Virginia home in a car with blackout curtains Thursday morning after being released from federal prison to begin home confinement and try to resume his pro football career. There are reports that Vick is interested in assisting with a group that targets dogfighting among inner-city youths. The hope is that Vick is sincere in his efforts to rebuild his reputation and earn his reinstatement into the league. But until he's reinstated, any actions Vick takes will be subject to critics who will claim he is only putting on an act to earn his job back.

These criticisms won't be unjustified in their cynicism. No one knows how remorseful Vick really is, but the motivation of playing football again can't be ignored simply because Vick spends a few days telling urban youth dogfighting is bad.

Once Vick completes his two months of house arrest, he's expected to file for reinstatement, and then NFL Comissioner Roger Goodell will make the final call.

This is an impossible spot for Goodell.

If he turns Vick down then there could be lawsuits to follow from Vick, the players union, or both. If Goodell chooses to reinstate Vick, then he can effectively pass the buck on to the owners, leaving it up to the market to decide whether Vick plays in the league again. Regardless, Goodell and his league will be subject to intense scrutiny all over again.

The consensus on ESPN is that Vick will be back somewhere, that some owner will roll the dice and deal with the backlash from animal rights activists.

Vick shouldn't be prevented from making a living as a football player again. So far it appears that Vick is doing all the right things and he's paying his "debt to society."

Beyond any charitable work he does and general good behavior, Vick needs to go public in order to show remorse (even if it's just a giant PR stunt) to get some public support back on his side.

Or he could just run the 40-yard dash in front of Al Davis.

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James Crepea is The Lantern sports editor. He can be reached at crepea.1@osu.edu

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