Now, it's up to him

Based on his inviting his hometown to host “Michael Vick Celebration Day,” I questioned whether the former Atlanta Falcon and recent jailbird had truly “gotten it.” I still question that, but I’m glad an NFL team — Philly — has stepped up and signed him.

So he has his chance. With the wise assistance of Tony Dungy, perhaps he will prove doubters like me wrong. I hope I will be proven wrong. We’ll see.

In did, indeed, SEEM like a big deal

Recommended reading: Bob Kravitz's Indy Star piece on Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy's reaction to the election of the first African American president.

Kravitz points out that a hubub was made two years ago when two black football coaches — Dungy and Chicago's Lovey Smith — competed in the Super Bowl.

"Not even in the same universe, was it?" Dungy told Kravitz. "Not even close."

Writes Kravitz: "Just two years ago, it was a big thing when Dungy and Smith made sports history. Two years later, it feels like ancient history."

http://www.indystar.com/article/20081107/SPORTS15/811070421/1034/SPORTS15