On August 13, 2009, part-way into their opening pre-season game, fans of the Philadelphia Eagles began buzzing about something more that the game on the field matching their Eagles against the New England Patriots with their exceptional quarterback Tom Brady. Brady was just returning after a knee injury had knocked he and the Patriots out of contention for defending their previous year’s trip to the Super Bowl. The buzz was expected to focus on Brady and his preparation for returning to lead the Patriots to football’s promised land, the Super Bowl, once again.

But early in the game a different buzz swept across the stadium. It seemed that these Philadelphia Eagles, so often known for conservative decision-making, for sticking with a plan whether it was working currently or not, for going after “character” type of players after an earlier run-in with an ego-centric wide receiver named Terrell Owens – these same Eagles were being reported to have signed Michael Vick, former top draft pick and former quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, now a disgraced former player just released from prison for bankrolling vicious dog-fighting on his own property in Virginia, and who himself had tortured and killed several animals.

The Eagles acquiring Michael Vick – people were stunned. Even sportswriters familiar with the considerable skills of Vick and knowing the Eagles organization were “astounded.[1]” Reports were that this “second chance” opportunity was personal to coach Andy Reid. A month earlier, when Vick was released from prison after serving time for crimes related to the funding of a dog-fighting operation on his property in Virginia, Reid initial reaction (along with Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb) was that Vick was deserving of a second chance. Now the opportunity to gain Vick as an asset seemed to be mixed in Reid’s mind with an opportunity to do for Vick as he would want to do with his own sons, that of offering another opportunity to overcome their troubled past and start again[2].

This article is a good reflective look back on that decision made in 2009, and its impact on the man at the middle of the controversy. I cannot help but get excited every time I read one of these articles, as they reflect in a natural way on the even greater supernatural opportunity we have as Christ-followers to be given a second chance. Thank you, Jesus, for redemption!

[1] Gonzalez, J. (2009, August 14). Astounded by Vick deal. The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved August 14, 2009, from http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/homepage/20090814_Gonzo___Astounded_by_Vick_deal.html
[2] Hofmann, R. (2009, August 14). Giving second chances personal for Eagles coach Reid. The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved August 14, 2009, from http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/20090814_Rich_Hofmann__Giving_second_chances_personal_for_Eagles_coach_