Friday column: Can Vick turn life around? Let’s find out

The running of the dogfighting ring — and all that entails — is bad enough. The consistent lying — to his team owner, to the NFL commissioner, to the feds — is bad enough.

But what’s really disturbing about Michael Vick’s crimes is his hands-on involvement in the killing of the defenseless animals. It implies an enjoyment of the act that suggests a deep sickness of the soul — if not sociopathy.

So, I understand the attitude of those who don’t want Vick back playing football in the NFL, making millions of dollars — even if he owes millions to creditors — or being in the limelight — even if, as he says, he’ll use that limelight to fight the kind of animal cruelty he participated in for years.

“Why?” asked two people — both women — when I said I was glad the Philadelphia Eagles had signed Vick. I mention gender because a Marist Poll showed a split on the issue. Although 69 percent of male football fans polled backed Vick’s reinstatement, only 39 percent of female fans supported it. Overall, while 57 percent were in favor, 43 were opposed or unsure.

I understand the resistance to giving Vick a second chance.

If I had a dollar — wait, just a nickel — for every athlete’s apology that was insincere, I’d be on the Cote d’Azur sipping a cool one rather than writing this column. Just two weeks ago, I made fun of plans for a “Michael Vick Celebration Day” in his hometown of Newport News, Va., a celebration reportedly conceived of by Vick himself. I thought it suggested that despite the 19 months Vick spent in prison, he still hadn’t “gotten it.”

But doubts are not enough to prevent a man, once freed from jail, a chance to work. The real question, of course, is how free is Vick from his old lifestyle and his old way of thinking?

The answer: Who knows?

Other than the “Celebration Day” hiccup, Vick has said and done the right things. Vick’s mentor, Tony Dungy, an intelligent and honorable man, says the quarterback is truly repentant.

Such a turnaround is possible.

I think of another man who participated in acts in barbarism — in this case, to fellow human beings, perhaps to Vick’s ancestors. He traded in men, women and children — as depraved an activity as is possible.

This man was John Newton, who became an Anglican clergyman, wrote “Amazing Grace” and successfully fought against the very slave trade he had engaged in for years.

Over time — and it takes time — Newton, once a collaborator with evil, became a force for good, and a formidable one at that. Can Vick do the same?

I don’t know. Let’s give him a chance and see.

Contact Jim Gordon at gjames43@msn.com.