Friday column: Time to get in touch with reality

I thought it a good thing when the NFL reinstated Michael Vick, and I believe that Vick, for the most part, has handled his return pretty well.

I root for him to continue to rebuild his life. America, after all, is a redemption nation. And today is Christmas, which is the beginning of a redemption story.

For all that, I was taken back by word that Vick’s Philadelphia Eagles teammates had voted him the Ed Block Courage Award, given to players throughout the league who exemplify commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage.

No doubt going from a luxe life to prison following his conviction for running a dogfighting ring was difficult, and coming back and facing the public’s scrutiny and, in some cases, hostility, was difficult.

On the other hand, what was he going to do? He knows how to do one thing: play football, and this year he’s being paid $1.6 million to do so. Next year, if the Eagles pick up his option, he’ll be paid $5.2 million.

Courage? Really?

“I’ve overcome a lot, more than probably one single individual can handle or bear,” Vick said. “You ask certain people to walk through my shoes, they probably couldn’t do. Probably 95 percent of the people in this world because nobody had to endure what I’ve been through …”

Has Vick actually taken a look at what so many people in the world have to endure on a daily basis? His comment suggests he still thinks of himself — to some degree — as a victim. If that’s the case, his teammates didn’t do him any favors by honoring him for his “courage.”

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As Vick, it appears, still has enablers to buffer his encounter with reality, so does Tiger Woods. No one in sport was bigger than Woods, and the bigger the athlete/celebrity, the bigger the entourage.

Think of how many people must have known about his serial infidelities, and not only stood by and watch as he put his family at risk, but actively helped, setting up rendezvous and covering his tracks.

Such a favor they did him.

Even now, he has “friends” making excuses for his behavior, saying such things as the public doesn’t understand the pressure he was under. Now, Woods’ agent, Mark Steinberg, is beseeching the media, “Let’s please give the kid a break.”

Kid? In five days, Woods turns 34. He may have acted like a adolescent, but a third of his life is gone. Woods needs to start acting like an adult.

This cannot be a merry Christmas for Woods or any part of his family. Next year’s could be better. But to make it so, Woods need to do many things, including come out from behind his protective barriers and facing the world — sans sycophants.

Contact Jim Gordon at gjames43@msn.com.