Michael Vick's Crushing of Washington Enough To Overshadow His Past?

Michael Vick was incredible on Monday Night Football. 

In perhaps the greatest single night of play by a quarterback in NFL history, Vick put up numbers normally reserved for Madden NFL 11 mismatches.  He should send a tape of this performance into Twin Galaxies.

After starting the game with an 88-yard score to DeSean Jackson, Vick finished 20-of-28 for 333 yards, four passing touchdowns and zero interceptions.  He also ran for 80 yards on eight attempts for two more touchdowns. 

All but 10 of his passing yards were done in the first three quarters of the game as the Eagles crushed the Redskins, 59-28.

Fantasy owners rejoiced.  I know I did.  I own Vick in both of my fantasy leagues and his historic play took me from 18 points down pre-game to a 25-point victory in one of them. 

It was simply one of the most incredible displays by an athlete I've ever seen in any sport.  At times, he almost didn't seem human.

But he is.  Like all humans, he has made mistakes and carries regret.

I caught some heat for picking up Vick off my fantasy league waiver wires earlier this year.  I was asked how I could "own a dog killer" on my fantasy football rosters.

I hate what he did.  I've made my fair share of remarks and judgments of Vick for the dog fighting charges that took him out of the NFL and into a prison cell for two years.  I made it clear that my fantasy roster moves were strictly business.

As this season as gone on, I've caught myself forgetting more about his past and becoming far more interested in his present.  His legs are back, making him once again one of the best scrambling quarterbacks in NFL history. 

Somewhere, he's also found an arm.  Vick was not known for his accuracy in his pre-prison days, but now has a poise and timing few quarterbacks have ever displayed while demonstrating a maturity at the position that shows a perfection of his craft.

This is not the same person that killed those dogs.  This Michael Vick is mature.  This Michael Vick is humble.  This Michael Vick is putting his heart and soul into his profession, pointing toward the heavens during his already legendary Monday Night Football game.

The man served his time, regrets his actions and mistakes, and really does appear to be a changed man.  He got a second chance and is making the most of it.

I'll never be able to forget what he did in the past, but I'll also never forget what he is doing in the present day.  Vick is a man making the most of a second chance, and I have to respect that. 

I certainly enjoyed watching it.