Gallup Poll's Vick

In a recent Gallup Poll, 58% of Americans don't believe Michael Vick should ever be allowed to play professional football again. Only 22% said they would want Vick to play for their favorite team.

So, only 42% of Americans are either neutral or believe that Vick should be allowed back in the NFL.

I'm not saying Vick should be given a get out of jail (and back into the NFL) free card. But, if he completes his sentence with no further troubles and does all that the commissioner asks of him to be given a second chance, then I believe he should be given that second chance. Leonard Little drove drunk and killed another through his recklessness and was given a second chance. Ricky Williams has been given countless chances. Linebacker Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens was given a second chance following his troubles with the law. Dog fighting is a new type of phenomenon in the NFL landscape. The commissioner has dealt with drugs' charges before, drunken driving charges, even murder charges, but only recently have players in the NFL been hounded (no pun intended...not really) with dogfighting charges. With that and anything new, the public is bound to react more strongly to one side or the other, without garnering much information about the subject or case. If and when dogfighting charges become more common, Americans, in general, may be able to ponder things out a bit more and react with brains rather than emotion. Because, let's face it...any kind of violence towards children, elders, and/or animals will provoke a strong emotional response for many people. I'm curious to see if the negativity in the polls simmer down some as time progresses.

If Vick gets himself in trouble with dogfighting again, then I think he shouldn't be allowed back into the NFL. But, I do believe in second chances. If one is a Ricky Williams fan (or agent), they must believe in 3rd, 4th, and 5th chances. This was the first offense on Vick's record and I don't believe he or anyone else should be suspended for the rest of their career(s) because of a first offense. If Mike Tyson can receive a second chance, then Michael Vick can definitely receive one.