Michael Vick Proves Getting Back Up Is Rewarded More Than Not Falling at All

Why is it when someone falls and gets back up we praise him more than the individual who hasn't done wrong in the first place?

Why is it that when Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick goes to prison for running a dogfighting ring, then excels on the field upon his comeback, we applaud him just as much as we did before when he was the first overall pick in the 2001 NFL draft?

And why has Nike now re-signed Vick to a new four-year endorsement deal after he was let go by the company in 2007?

Because America is in love with the comeback story more than it is in love with just a success story.

America's backbone has been built on rising from economic collapses, enduring multiple wars and, frankly, hard work.

When we see someone fall, even as woefully as Vick did, we in essence see a part of ourselves, working to push through all our past grievances, continuously fighting in the never-ending struggle that is life.

And while any successful individual at first fails, those individuals get drowned out by the individual on top of the world, who then plummets.

The re-signing of the once-troubled quarterback was first reported by CNBC sports business reporter Darren Rovell, which Nike later confirmed via press release:

“Michael acknowledges his past mistakes. We do not condone those actions, but we support the positive changes he has made to better himself off the field.”

People like those who show humility, especially those who are much more well off than them, at least financially.

This is why the Miami Heat's LeBron James is still one of the most despised athletes on the planet while Vick, who has clearly done more to exact scorn, has risen in the last couple of years.

James, when he announced his "Decision" to take his talents to South Beach, did so in a manner that made many look at him as arrogant.

Ironically (or perhaps not), Vick ran a dogfighting ring that left dozens of dogs dead and he's now being touted as some kind of hero for how he "pushed through adversity."

America loves a comeback story.

So much so that it blinds us to whatever someone did before his comeback.