Vick is back in the NFL.

It has been just under 24 months since Michael Vick was a player in the NFL.

Exactly 23 months ago, on August 27, 2007, Roger Goodell suspended the former Atlanta Falcons quarterback after pleading guilty to bankrolling the “Bad Newz Kennels” dogfighting ring.

But, his reinstatement has finally come.

After visiting with the NFL commissioner last week face-to-face, Vick did not have to wait very long until Goodell made his move.

Vick, now 29 years old, received his reinstatement through a letter from the commissioner Monday morning. However, his story does not stop here.

If a team does sign Vick, the reinstatement allows for him to participate in all team activities, except games. In the letter, Goodell told Vick that he is not to consider giving him in full reinstatement until Week Six (Oct. 18-19).

Even though he cannot play games, Vick can pursue opportunities from teams around the league that show an interest in the former all-pro quarterback and practice as soon as possible.

Vick, who listed his assets at $16 million and debts of more than $20 million when he filed for bankruptcy last July, is going to tell the creditors he owes on Friday in Norfolk, Virginia, that football is his plan for future income to help pay off his debt.

He was once the highest-paid player in the NFL, sporting a 10-year, $130 million contract with Arthur Blank and the Atlanta Falcons.

Besides his hearty contract, Vick was one of the most popular stars in the league, racking up lucrative endorsements, which also left Vick after his guilty plea.

Vick is finally seeing better and brighter days, but there are still things that stand in Vick’s path as he continues to try and resume his former life.

Vick has to prove that he had indeed changed, and that he is committed to living a life much different from his time in the league.

He has to give back the money he owes, and also has to deal with the fans. Not just NFL fans, but fans of PETA, fans of the Humane Society of the United States, and so forth down the line. They will all want to take their shot at Vick.

 Now, why does Goodell hold off from full reinstatement?

Is it to punish Vick even more for the crimes he did? Has he not paid enough?

I do not think the commissioner is trying to put more punishment on Vick.

I think he is looking at the whole picture and feels this way he can ease himself back into the league more smoothly.

There still are mixed feelings about Vick, and we don’t really know who he is yet. He could still be the same person that he was back in August of 2007. Or, he could be completely rehabilitated and ready to keep his slate clean.

I think the fact that Goodell is giving him until October helps make sure that that is the case.

But, it’s not just for Vick. It is for us to. It is hard to forget about what he went to prison for. The smoother and controlled his transition is, then the smoother it will be for him to rejoin the NFL and society.