Michael Vick: Why His MVP Bid Is A Big Pile of Coal in Commish's Stocking

Roger Goodell is a happy man, and that's always a good thing.

The NFL commissioner came out last week applauding Philadelphia quarterback Michael Vick, and how he's behaved since returning to the NFL. If you remember, it was back in August of 2007 when Goodell suspended Vick indefinitely from the league for his involvement in a dog fighting ring. We all know about Vick's time in prison, and how Philadelphia took a chance on the quarterback following his release.

The Eagles' gamble paid off bigtime, but I feel for the commish. I believe him when he says that Vick has "done terrific off the field" and that he hopes he's a "success story." But the commish knows what's looming, and it's not going to be pretty.

If Vick winds up being named the NFL's MVP, a firestorm will follow. Animal lovers will be in an uproar, screaming about how a dog killer could receive such an honor. Others will be up in arms, pointing out that an ex-con (who absolutely does NOT deserve a second chance, they'll say) is being honored by Mr. Discipline. Then the commish may be faced to answer another question: Is Vick a role model?

See what I mean? I don't envy the man one bit.

But Vick is the story right now in the NFL. Entering Sunday's game against the New York Giants, Vick has completed 96-of-153 passes for 1,350 yards and 11 touchdowns. He's also rushed for 341 yards and four touchdowns, but even more impressive: He's not thrown a pick yet. 

Even Vick himself admitted he's in the zone following Philadelphia's 59-28 win over Washington.

"I feel like I'm playing the best football (of his career) only because of the coaches that I have, because of the guys that I'm playing with—the offensive line is playing great and I've got a great group of guys around me," Vick said. "I'm doing a great job out there and those guys are doing a great job, too. It goes hand in hand."

Count Tony Dungy, one of this nation's most revered figures and role models, among Vick's biggest fans at the moment. The Eagles' website quoted the former Colts coach, who said no one would've imagined Vick would be in this spot 18 months ago.

"But he's really worked at it," said Dungy, who visited Vick in prison and has been a mentor to him. "The Eagles organization has done a great job with him. It's a great story."

When you see someone with Dungy's stature speak up for Vick, you have to take notice. But what about others, like those who adopted the dogs taken from Vick's dogfighting ring?

Los Angeles Times columnist Bill Plaschke tracked down one of those people, a Dallas radio show host named Richard Hunter who adopted a dog named Mel. Hunter talks in detail about the dog, which Plaschke writes was once used as a sparring partner for tougher dogs. Now, Hunter asks when people pet Mel, to pet him under the chin and not over the head, because Mel is afraid of anyone putting their hand over his head.  

"How can you support football when you know one of their stars did this to a dog?" Hunter said in the column. "If more people saw Mel at the same time as they saw Michael Vick, he wouldn't be so lauded."

It's a fair point. Anyone who's ever owned a dog knows that what Vick did is beyond awful. Vick did, however, pay the price, not just with his prison sentence but in the pocketbook and in the court of public opinion. Even if you're not a football fan, you knew about Vick, and you know what he did was sick.

That will stay with Vick forever. 

And no matter how much Goodell praises him, those memories aren't going to vanish anytime soon.

I'm impressed with what Vick's done, and I believe in second chances.

But I won't be trading places with the commish anytime soon either.