When Atlanta Falcons star quarterback Michael Vick was implicated in dog fighting, most fans were repulsed, but a surprising number actually rallied to Vick's defense.

At first, Vick actually denied all allegations, but it soon became clear that Vick not only bankrolled the brutal spectacle of dog fighting at Bad Newz Kennels, but he and his posse also sought pleasure in torturing dogs through electrocution, hanging, shooting and drowning. Only one thing can be worse - and that's allowing children to witness and even participate in these activities - which Vick did. While there's no evidence that any of Vick's own three children observed dogs fighting, it seems other children did.

After serving his time behind bars, on July 27, National Football League (NFL) Commissioner Roger Goodell conditionally allowed for Vick's return, assuming a team wants him. At the press conference, Goodell intimated, it's not a matter of if a team wants him so much as when.

It's interesting how many supporters Vick has had from the beginning of all this. At his trial, picketers were there hollering in his defense. They weren't even necessarily denying that Vick was involved in dog fighting. Somehow, in some circles, Vick's participation in dog fighting only enhanced his street cred. Some bloggers and radio hosts never swayed in support of their QB, particularly in the African-American community.

Of course, the majority of fans contended they were disgusted with Vick. Yet, if their team acquired the quarterback, I wonder how many season ticket holders would actually cancel, and how many would turn off their TVs on Sunday afternoons. I argue, it's a sad reality that there may be an increase in seats filled and TV ratings might shoot up, especially if the team signing Vick has little else to offer.

Like it or not, Vick has a public platform. And everyone is interested, even those who contend they are not.

Why not use that notoriety for good? Vick accidentally has. Back in April of 2007, ven as he was first implicated in dog fighting, Vick unintentionally catapulted the brutal crime into the news as it never had been before.

While I've written many stories on the horrors of the dog fighting, as have other journalists, not to mention several national TV segments and at least one documentary movie, little attention was really paid to this issue before Vick's conviction. BV (Before Vick), when public officials were forced by local news events, media and community pressure to do something about dangerous dogs, they blamed the animals, initiating bans on Pit Bulls. It's all they felt they could do; banning a breed is far easier than standing up to complex socio-cultural issue.

Then, overnight, the Vick story shined a light on what some of us had been saying for years: Pit Bulls are only victims. Dog fighting is incredibly inhumane. What dog fighters do to these dogs would turn the stomachs of most people. But there's even more involved, as American Humane discovered -- a link between violence against animals and violence toward people -- and thanks to Vick, both the public and public officials seemed to instantly 'get this,' too.

After Vick's crimes hit the news, The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) was instantly able to beef up laws pertaining to dog fighting.

Now that Goodell has opened the door for Vick to return to professional football, you've got to figure Vick has to resurrect his public image. Still, Americans tend to forgive. I think the best way to polish his image is for Vick to reach out to the masses - and sadly they are masses - who fight dogs. If anyone can reach these people, it's Vick, who remains revered in these communities. The HSUS says it has made a deal with Vick to do just that.

However, I remain cynical. As far as I know, Vick has not received counseling as a part of his sentencing, as American Humane suggested. I'm not sure a court can mandate that a person feel empathy.

Vick has an opportunity today to impact society - an opportunity no football player can really have on the field. He's already made history and will be infamous. He might also be famous. As they say, 'now he has the ball.' It's up to Vick as to whether he scores the touchdown of a lifetime.

 

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