Pull For Michael Vick's Redemption Song to Become a Smash Hit

In 1979, after becoming diagnosed with melanoma, a cancer that would later take his life, Bob Marley began recording what would be his final album, Uprising. His wife Rita labeled it a concept album, conveying the pain he was in during his final days and how he was dealing with his own mortality.

The last track on the album is titled Redemption Song, which rated No. 66 on Rolling Stone Magazine's 2004 list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. 

I'm not sure how Marley would feel about Michael Vick if he were still alive today, but if I were to guess, I'd think he would be rooting for Vick in his second chance at life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

I'll take it a step further. I hope Vick's Redemption Story rises to the top of the charts in 2009 and later takes the top spot on ESPN or Sporting News' list of the Greatest Comeback Stories in Sports History when recalled 30 years down the line. 

Most people still feel bitter towards Vick and believe his punishment didn't fit the heinous crimes he committed while running a dog fighting ring out of his Virginia home for five years.

Fine. You are entitled to that opinion, but also understand that it isn't as if Vick's entourage handed down his 23-month jail sentence. He went through the legal system, so if you feel that way be angry at the system, not Vick. 

Let's take a second to consider all he has lost since Dec. 31, 2006, the last time Vick played in an NFL game:

-Endorsement contracts with Nike, EA Sports, Kraft, Powerade, Rawlings, Coca-Cola, Hasbro and Airtran.

-All marketability and corporate status after once being considered one of the most popular and sought after athletes in the world.

-Roughly $100M in salary.

-Millions of dollars in assets due to bankruptcy.

In short, he has lost everything that made him a superstar. And he served about two years in prison. And he is still bankrupt and will be for the foreseeable future.

But yet he hasn't done his time? Since the government owns you when you owe the banks as much money as Vick owes, he's actually still doing time!

Back to his entourage for a minute. Don't underestimate the impact the people he surrounded himself with had on his million mile fall from grace. 

No, Vick shouldn't have been so attached to these so-called friends once the NFL came calling, but until he was drafted No.1 overall by Atlanta in 2001, he had never left the state of Virginia, which makes you wonder if he knew any better than to listen to his lifelong friends.

Vick grew up in Newport News, VA, the same place as NBA superstar Allen Iverson.

It was there that he witnessed his first dog fighting ring at the age of eight, and where Iverson's best friend was shot and killed in broad daylight after an argument over who the best rapper was. Most of us can't comprehend the things Vick lived or witnessed growing up.

That doesn't excuse him of his actions, it just reinforces that maybe we are all a product of our placement.

To suggest that Tom Brady would be any different than Michael Vick had he been brought up in Vick's neck of the woods is ignorant because how would we know?

It would be as ignorant as the people that say they would never have joined the Nazi's in Hitler's Germany because they weren't raised that way and they are just too good a person. Well, no, you weren't raised that way because you weren't raised in Hitler's Germany.

We'd all like to think we're too good to do some of these things, but when you take a deeper look, just consider yourself blessed to have not been put in such settings and situations.

Vick is no different from any drunk or junkie that just made it through rehab. He had everything, he lost everything and is now back in society fighting like hell to get it all back. 

His second chance at life started a few months ago when he was released from prison, and his second chance in the NFL starts Sunday at 1 p.m. EST when he returns as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Vick's story has a chance to be a truly inspiring tale, as we have never seen an athlete of his stature hit such a low and get back on his feet. He is 29, so if Vick were to have three productive years in the league from this point forward, that would be great.

If he were to overcome bankruptcy and rebuild his nasty image and reputation, that would be Hollywood-worthy. He has been humbled and appears to be remorseful, which is a good start.

Bob Marley's music career and life ended prematurely with a Redemption Song. Here's to hoping Sunday is the start of something special in Michael Vick's Redemption Story.