Has forgiveness been forgotten?

"The first day I walked into prison, and he slammed that door, I knew the magnitude of the decisions that I made. You know, it’s no way of explaining, the hurt and the guilt that I felt. And that was the reason I cried so many nights. And that put it all into perspective."

On August sixteenth 2009 Michael Vick made his first public statement on '60 Minutes' after being released from two years of prison and two additional months of house arrest. Vick sat down with NFL Today anchor James Brown to discuss his incarceration, rehabilitation and the effects of his actions. The mood was a somber one, it seemed like sadness filled that room. When asked whom he blamed for his stay in prison and pain he endured, he simply replied, "I blame me." There was something definitely different about this man.

For six seasons in Atlanta, Michael Vick was a human highlight reel. He was dynamic, displaying all the typical traits you could want from a pro quarterback and more. His arm strength, ability to evade almost any pass rush and his down-field vision made him good. But his incredible gift of speed and the talents of an all-pro running back, being able to charge the field finding seams other QB's in the league wouldn't dare attempt, made him great. The only thing he truly lacked, was the drive. After a few years in the league, he picked up the reputation of a slacker. The kind of "last in, first out" attitude a coach and owner dreads. Still, his natural gifts could not be ignored. And as such, his city, coach and owner stood behind him. It was that steadfast faith that made his fall from grace so much harder. When all the truths were finally reveled, Vick would lose nearly everything. The 135 million contract, the home, the money he had already earned, the game he loved and the respect of friends and family members.

I found myself questioning the harshness of the punishment placed on him. Two years is a very long time to have to spend in a prison cell. I, by no means, agreed with what Mike did. Nor was I accepting of any of his actions. But this seemed... excessive, extreme, like someone was looking for a pariah. Men didn't go to prison for drunk driving deaths. Simple fines had been levied for spousal abuse and domestic violence. Did justice turn a blind eye to these crimes or drop her swift hand on Vick for his? I didn't understand and the inequality in those differences ate away at me for days. So much so that the mere mention of Michael Vick made me want to scream, at everyone. I eventually chalked it up to my own lofty ideals in humanity and choose to let it go for the time being rather than dwell on it.

When Vick was released in July in 2009, I knew there would be scrutiny from groups like PETA, but I could have never imagined the general public would vilify him to the colossal level they did. He had become the highwayman in some dark tale told to scare those who would dare attempt any kind of injustice. How could this be? Didn't he pay for his crimes? From that day till this one, I still can't find anything asking people to forgive Michael Vick. I can understand the anger people might feel, but doesn't Michael deserve to earn absolution? Had forgiveness been forgotten?

At the end of that interview, he stated; "I’m going to let my actions continue to speak louder than my words. And I’m going to still be involved in the community, because I still — regardless of football — would have a voice that can have an impact on kids — because I’ve been a living example of what not to do." Doesn't everyone deserves a second chance in this world? And if not, aren't we worse than Michael Vick ever was? Our own actions can speak louder than words as well and if they do, maybe Michael Vick deserves to be lifted onto someones shoulders again. If we can see that, then maybe we can do the same in our hearts and minds.

Revis Island, Complete

After a long awaited hold out, Darrelle Revis signed a new contract with the New York Jets on Monday. Revis's absence has been felt since the off-season started and all throughout training camp. The void he left was blatant on the HBO series "Hard Knocks" and team GM Mike Tannenbaum's frustration over the situation was, needless to say, evident. There were questions on how his teammates would react to him if and when he showed up, due to all the negative media that surrounded the Jets organization.

Yet, with all the scrutiny and distractions, we sit here today with a new outlook. The contracts been signed, the owners made amends, the coach is delighted and the teammates... well lets just say center Nick Mangolds chant of "Revis Christ" (though a bit sacrilegious) seemed a declaration to everyone of the teams loyalties. And now, the work begins!

We've waited after the end of last season for so many reasons. We've waited since long time rival Jason Taylor was traded from Miami. We've waited since shutdown corner Antonio Cromartie was traded from San Diego. We've waited since Super Bowl MVP wide receiver Santonio Holmes was traded from Pittsburgh. We've waited since the NFL's 2006 MVP LaDainian Tomlinson was traded from the place many thought he would retire. The wait is over. The pieces are in place. Revis has come back to his island, adding the final piece to this puzzle. A new season has arrived, and with it, the hopes of a Super Bowl championship.

An amendment to "LeBron's Legacy"

An amendment indeed! He (LeBron) no longer has one. At least not one any true champion would want. Let me be clear, I don't care that he wanted to leave. Or that he probably knew he was going to leave after game six of the eastern conference semifinals!

Side note; after he took off that jersey I turned to friends I was watching with and said "He's done! He wont be playing for Cleveland next season!" I hate that I was right!

But as stated before, I felt he deserved the chance, if he so chose, to play somewhere else for a title. So it's not that he left, it's how he did it! He stabbed that city in the back on national TV and people want to give him a pass? for what??? Getting to the finals and gettin swept? What did he ever win them? Being their guy for seven years and bowing out gracefully is one thing. But when you spit that all back in someones face on national TV, it means your going to be hated....forever! And in all reality, if you don't understand that, you don't understand sports! Whats sad is that he could have been one of the greats. Now he'll forever be remembered as "the guy who couldn't get it done, so he had to go get his buddies help." He can no longer be in the "Jordan discussion", because Jordan woulda never have done that! And anyone who says "well thats because this is a different time" is kidding themselves.

Jordan, Bird, Kobe (I hate saying that last one!)...champions...assassins...cutthroats! LBJ....Pippen-esk. Scotty was a great player, but he certainly was no Jordan. And I think that just might be James's new legacy. "LeBron James...Key Role Player!"

Lebron's Legacy

This free agency got me thinkin. What would hurt more for Cleveland fans, LeBron leaving and winning a title with someone like Chicago next year? Or going to someone like the Nets, rebuilding and then winning a championship! Either way would hurt, but I think retooling a team from scratch and still winning shows that it just couldn't be done in Ohio. Which I can only imagine would make fans want to take a flying leap from the highest point of Quicken Loans arena! But could you really hate him for it? That team has been stripped down and overhauled three times. And the last two, it seems they got worse! So if he chooses, doesn't he deserve a fresh start somewhere new, without the tremendous amount of scrutiny that city is expected to heap on him? In other words, if can't be done in Cleveland, he should get a chance to prove himself somewhere else! I say try it! Go to Brooklyn, revive a franchise. Prove to the world your the player everyone thinks you are. You have the chance to write your legacy yourself, without Wade. You have the market, the coach, the owner, a (underrated) point guard, Jay-Z givin you high fives on the sideline and a ton of other people in that organization willing to give their right arm for you! Loyalty can hurt you sometimes Bron, just ask Kevin Garnett! Yes, it might be the end of an era for some, but it also just might be the start of something truly amazing.

The fury of Tiger

After having a day to digest Tiger's frenzy at Pebble, I can't help feeling a little giddy. I hear and read so many negative comments regarding Tiger's "on course" behavior. "He swears like a sailor", "he can't keep his composure", "he disrespects the game." What ever happened to passion? To the intensity only a true zeal for the game brings? Tiger's surge of emotion on the 16th was nothing short of inspiring. I, for one, appreciate the range of emotions we get to see from him. If you've ever played golf, you know how elating and yet how tumultuous it can be! We all should remember it's not just a game he's playing against himself and his peers, but for his livelihood as well. There is no higher competition than that. I don't recall the media ever attacking Jordan for his tirades at his teammates. He was givin a pass because he was competitive, but Tiger's not? Where are we in sports when dedication and a lust for the game is condemned? Sports is a game of high emotions. If there is love for the game than shouldn't we expect to see the opposite? A rivalry should be just that a rivalry! Thats how Tiger plays the game, he's old school in a sense. Compete with fervor and intensity, chance the consequences! I know i'll keep cheering at every fist pump and cursing at every bunker shot. I can only hope to see a little more of that kind of thirst in this great game of golf.

Who is Andrew Bynum?

So is it just me or has Bynum been way over hyped? I mean really, for a big man to average 15 and 8 this season and 10 and 6 for his career while never playing a full season due to copious amounts of injuries, can't we now say he's been over sold? I'm not saying he's not a good player, just not a great one. Yet he's spoken about like he's already a complete player, an allstar even. I don't know about everyone else but I would expect more out of an allstar than 9 and 7 for the playoffs and an even worse 9 and 6 for the finals.

Now I know people will sight injury, but doesn't that just go further to prove this point? He's never played a full season and still gets paid 15.5 million. To put some of this in better perspective lets go to the numbers. David Lee had 20 and 11 this season (only playing about seven more minuets) and gets payed less than half of what Bynum does, Luis Scola (who played the five alot this season) played virtually the same minuets as Bynum yet had 16 and 9. Oh, and he was only payed just over 3.3 million! Even Brook Lopez, posted 18 and 8 and he's a rookie. But lets look at it another way. The average big mans career now lasts about ten seasons, Bynum's in his fifth. If he was going to be the superstar everyone thinks, wouldn't he already be there? Dwight Howard had 20 and 13 his fifth season, Shaq had 26 and 12, Kareem had 27 and 14, hell even Al Jefferson in his fifth averaged 23 and 11! And that list could go on and on with guys no one else even considers to be superstars.

I think it's time we put away the gold stars for this guy. Until he proves otherwise, he may just be an injury prone Andrew Bogut, (16 and 10 this season while playing almost identical minuets) a good player who has loads of room to grow. I know, I know, I can hear all the Laker fans out there say, " ya, but imagine what he could do if he was healthy!" But thats just it, all we'll ever be able to do is imagine. Ask Portland fans how they feel about imagining how great an injury plagued big man can be. When it comes down to it, that just isn't good enough in this league.