• December 15, 2024

Is Forgiveness And Redemption Out Of Reach For Michael Vick?

Michael Vick is making the media rounds to promote the release of his new book, “Finally Free”. A great title that expresses, in my opinion, his view on where his life is now and the strides he’s made to change it.

But in spite of his efforts to change many still continue to talk about Michael Vick and his past. Is his past fair game one writer asked last week? But I ask, is his past even relevant? I guess it might be if you don’t have one, a past that is…or a life.

Are people (the sports world in particular) so bored that they have nothing else to do but throw stones and criticize a man who has made mistakes and paid for them? Or are they so lonely that they sit up at night thinking of new ways to be cruel, harsh and hurtful?

I’m so very thankful to these people because they’ve helped me to realize that Michael Vick is the only one in this life that has ever done wrong. It makes me feel very good about myself to know that if he is the only sinner then that lets me off the hook big time! He is the only wrong doer right? That’s my take on these stories I continue to see printed all over the internet…again and again! They may take a break for a minute and then…“Oh yeah, Michael Vick, bad guy!”

It is opinion though. You have them, I have them, like the nose on your face, everyone has one. I guess it’s just not sexy to have any kind of heart or any measure of decency and forgiveness. I’ll say it again as I have many times before, if it was your brother or your sister, daughter or son, then you understand, even demand that others have forgiveness for them.

Vick knows he did wrong as he continues to fight an uphill battle, but has made huge strides and is constantly trying to right a wrong that many feel it is impossible for him to do. It was a very dastardly and heinous crime he committed against creatures of God. But he has expressed remorse whether we believe it or not and he served his time…so let it go! God has forgiven him but somehow we think, consciously or otherwise, that we’re better than God and hold Vick’s deeds forever against him. Last time I check there is only one God and none of us is Him!

The article I read earlier this week said that Vick is playing us all, going with the flow as not to jeopardize his lucrative contract, endorsements and even the possibility of going to the Super Bowl. Let me get this straight, now he’s being criticized for trying to live right? The man can’t win if he has to play by rules that continue to change. So, he can front as long as he gets us into the playoffs? What I hear there is, Michael Vick can be reprehensible and deplorable as long as he keeps it under wraps and gets us a championship. What moral hypocrisy.

You don’t want your son to wear his jersey? Well I don’t want my son wearing yours, get my meaning? Who cares if you don’t want your child to wear a Vick jersey? That is your choice but you know what? I’d be glad for my kid to wear his jersey because that Eagles number 7 embodies hope. It’s more than just a piece of a uniform but a representation of redemption and possibility. Reminder alert!!! We are not the ones handing out redemption slips!

Let’s get to the business of watching football and let Michael Vick live his life. That is unless you want me to come to your house, and get behind your closed doors so that me and the rest of the world can know how perfect, faultless and blameless you are. Don’t you realize that you’re proclaiming universal innocence and guiltlessness when you speak of another’s sins? Should we be allowed to dispute your silent claim of innocence?

“I run into so many people who feel like they don’t have any hope after they make a mistake or after they can’t overcome certain obstacles in their life.” Vick said in a recent interview. “I just want them to know that there are several roadblocks you’re going to run into,” he said. “Even though you may fall, you have to get up.”

Well said Mr. Vick! 

What do people have to look forward to when they fall if they think and feel there is no hope for them and that any attempt to get up is useless? See, that’s the lie, that there is no hope and unqualified people are perpetuating it every day. Whether you believe him or not (and ultimately it doesn’t matter) Vick is a pretty good example of hope. There is even hope for the person who lives their life in constant judgment of others, harboring resentment, bitterness and unforgiveness in their hearts. Yes, there is even hope for you.

Haters, it’s your prerogative to keep number 7 jerseys off your kids back and it is my blessing not have to live in your skin, I’m thankful for that!

Everyone makes mistakes, sometimes really bad choices, but hopefully we learn from them. If the naysayers are right and Michael Vick is playing us all, it’ll come out. There is nothing hidden that will not be revealed…everything at some point will come to the light. But he will have to reap what he sowed… not you. Isn’t that great? But in the meantime, let the man live his life. In fact, be glad for him; rejoice with him that he did indeed turn his life around and stop asking for his head on a platter.

The man is annually on a most hated list for something he was convicted of years ago. It’s way past time to let-it-go! If someone constantly berated you for things done in your past, bad choices you made “yesterday”, how would you hold up I wonder? How would you stand up to that kind of pressure? The constant insults, the humiliation and the degradation?

Will Michael Vick ever be accepted again? Is forgiveness within his grasp or will it take him having to win a Super Bowl (an insignificant accomplishment in the big scheme of things) to get it? It’s sad but probably true. In Philadelphia a Super Bowl win would cover a multitude of sins. Just sayin’.

Someone wrote that his probation is officially complete as of this July 20th freeing him of a humongous burden. Now he can generate more of his energy to his family and the hope of being allowed to get a dog for his kids. That will probably be the next area of media concern and scrutiny. My hope for him is that the media and the public in general will come around. Michael Vick is a public figure of enormous stature therefore subject to major scrutiny, I get it and I’m sure he does as well but is enough ever enough?

He is finally off probation, good for him! Finally, a man who no longer owes society a thing. Finally, able to look ahead to a life without distraction, Michael Vick is finally free…or is he?

 

Mylow Young

Originally from Philadelphia Mylow now lives in Statesville, NC about 40 miles north of Charlotte. Mylow once aspired to play with the Eagles a bit after coming out of high school but was sidetrack by street activity and later drugs. He did however play Semi-Pro ball in the Tri-State Football Conference in 1978. He has have been clean and free from an addiction to crack cocaine for almost ten years now thanks to the mercy and grace of the God who loves him! Mylow is the author of two books, his first novel "Against the Gates of Hell: A Crack House Exodus" was released 9-1-11. Visit him at www.mylowyoung.com

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Frank22
Frank22
July 21, 2012 10:12 am

I am a big of a dog guy as their is… No, it’s not out of the question for me. He seems to be on the right path and with his status as a nfl qb, he has a chance to do a hell o a lot of good, not only for dogs but in society as a whole..

BirdoBeamen
BirdoBeamen
July 21, 2012 2:00 pm

One of the best articles ever written on here. Great job Mylow.

RealTalk777
RealTalk777
July 21, 2012 3:54 pm

I concur Birdo…the article was, well, simply put…real talk!

BigE
BigE
July 21, 2012 5:24 pm

I hope Obama is reading this article as it relates to Bush.

peace112
peace112
July 21, 2012 6:17 pm

What a nicely written article, I am a true lover of dogs myself, currently have two rescue dogs in my home right now. Just had to say GREAT ARTICLE

Oh btw where everybody at LOL

navyeaglefan
navyeaglefan
July 21, 2012 9:32 pm

PEace – everyone is tired of the same lame, rehashed, poorly written trash followed up by the stupid comments –

but this article – this article deserves a shout out – outstanding work Mr. Mylow – outstanding work..

Rocko
Rocko
July 21, 2012 10:35 pm

Best article ever written on General Vick. Great job and shout outs to you Mylow; good job buddy!

peace112
peace112
July 22, 2012 8:08 am

, I believe that this is the best article that I have ever read on this site. I asked the question where is everybody simply because I don’t see a lot of the people who normally post here………is that ok with you??

jakedog
jakedog
July 22, 2012 9:20 am

The article is worthless to the eagles fans, we never had a problem with Vick the person, he engaged in a ritual ingrained by his culture, paid a hefty fine as a result, and is now doing, saying the right things as dictated by the money people

Real eagle fans don’t want to hear any more emotional tirades about Vick, for better or worse, we want to see him play on the field at the level of emotional attachment many of you cling, enough already

paulman
paulman
July 22, 2012 10:46 am

Hey peace11, I came to terms with Vick’s off the field issues a long time ago and he hasn’t nothing morally to prove to me for he’s made some poor decisions and paid a huge price for i but has turned around his life to become a great leader and a productive person off the field which I give him alot of repsect and support for doingt..These days, I am strictly concerned with him being the Eagles QB to finally lead this Team to a Super Bow Championshipl.. He has the skills,the arm and obviously the athleticism to play at a very high level with a lot of playmakers on this Offensel.. I want to see him put the entire package together over a course of a full season and I believe that’s what most of us Eagles are excited and waiting to see for if he does, the sky’s the limit for this Team over the next couple of seasons.. If he continues to be up and down, slow to recognize coverages and blitz’s and is reckless with the ball and his body, then I believe next year is the time to get another leader and QB for this Franchise…. As Mick Vick goes, so will the Eagles.. If he playes well, they have a great chance, if he plays really well, I don’t see who can stop them,but if he plays only average, it won’t be good enough..I expect Vick to have a great 2012 season, he has a new wife, a solid and stable life off the field, some motivated weapons around him, a full off-season as the Starter and probably knows in his mind and heart, that if he wants to achieve greatness and be considered one of the Elite QB’s in NFL, that he has to do it now and att 32 Years of age, he will probably never be in this position again to legitimately compete for a Super Bowl..

jakedog
jakedog
July 22, 2012 11:53 am

100% correct paulman

navyeaglefan
navyeaglefan
July 22, 2012 12:32 pm

peace I agree – definitely one of the top articles written – and yeah its fine with me if you ask where everyne is at – I think we may have a misunderstanding though – my response to your question was directed at Mr CObb 0 and the absloute garbage that gets posted on here – much of it by him – and the constant virus attacks, and the general lameness of the content – people are starting to tire of the site – this article was finally refreshing and offered a perspective that made you think –

for example – did you read the article on Graham – its on the line – where he spends a paragraph telling us graham better come to training camp ready to play? Really – and you get a press pass and are considered part of the media for that pearl of wisdom – gee – we have Babin, COle, Curry, TApp, HUnt and Graham – camp starts soon, may onlly keep 5 – graham better have a good camp – really – wow!

peace112
peace112
July 23, 2012 11:00 am

, I don’t read all articles on this site, especially those written by Cobb, so no I didn’t read the one about Graham. I agree this is the most refreshing article that I personally have ever read on this site. It just seems to me (personal opinion) G.Cobb is extremely critical of this team and even more so with certain players. Didn’t mean to be disrespectful Peace.

peace112
peace112
July 23, 2012 11:18 am

@Paulman, I truly don’t understand why you directed your comment to me. I get the feelings sometimes that you believe you are the owner/dictator of this site. I personally don’t care if you have forgiven Mike’s past issue, I personally don’t care about how you feel about him now. I simply said I felt this was the best article I personally have ever read on this site, if you have a problem with that…..well too bad.

paulman
paulman
July 23, 2012 12:48 pm

To “Smoking too much from the Peace Pipe”.. You asked in an earlier post where was everyone’s response to this article and I gave you my reply, take it or leave it is up to you…

peace112
peace112
July 23, 2012 10:41 pm

@Paulman, first of all I don’t smoke ok. What does my asking “where is everyone” have to do with how you feel about Vick, not a dam thing. I’m sure posting comments on this site daily probably makes you feel you special, and that just maybe true to some, but not to me. I have already given you my thoughts on how I feel, now you can take that or leave it.

jmt8251
jmt8251
July 24, 2012 11:11 am

The Bible speaks of forgiveness or and over and it also states you should not forgive a person once but 77 times 7. But of course most so-called Christians can’t wrap their mind around the whole bible, just the part that makes them feel good about themselves. The word said you will be judge for what you refused to forgive the other person of. That right there is scary enough for me. So forgive and move on, it does not say you have to be that persons cheerleader or follow him. Just forgive and let that person move on. Let us see how many really believe the word. @Paulman is satan and so don’t expect anything from him but damnation. He and his friends the shooter in Denver think alike. But we have to forgive lunatics like him and move on.

bugsyhawk
bugsyhawk
July 24, 2012 11:52 am

Jmt8251- I think that it is funny how you tell us all to forgive and reference the Bible and then compare Pman to a mass murderer. You are also telling people not to judge but then you are judging Pman.

People are entitled to feel however they want about Michael Vick. It doesn’t make it wrong because they disagree with you.