Former Falcon Michael Vick Reinvents Himself with Record Night
Posted By - Jerry Carnes All pictures are Makavelli, Former Michael Vick Pitbull
Last Updated On: 11/16/2010 8:04:14 PM
ATLANTA -- It took former Atlanta Falcon Michael Vick only 8-seconds Monday night to show how you go from the dog house to top dog.
In 2007, Vick was known around the nation as the quarterback of cruel, the talented athlete who was arrested and eventually pleaded guilty to financing a dog fighting operation based in his home state of Virginia.
Away from football for two years, Vick put on a show Monday night, passing for four touchdowns and running for two more against the Washington Redskins.
"I hope he is coming back different, better," said Brandon Bond, who now has one of the dogs rescued from Vick's dog fighting operation.
Bond says he and the pit bull named Makavelli watch Michael Vick's every game, and applaud.
"I'm rooting for him because he's the underdog," said Bond. "Ironic, but who would I be to say all these dogs deserve a second chance, but Michael Vick doesn't. That would be rather hypocritical."
As an Atlanta Falcon, Vick not only financed a dog fighting operation, he tried hiding from it, lying to the team and fans until his guilty plea in federal court.
Many felt betrayed.
That included Michael Wallin, who kept his Michael Vick autographed jersey. As Vick reinvents himself, Wallin has forgiven.
"This guy made a big mistake, but he's recovering," Wallin said. "He's going to schools and public organizations, trying to make a difference."
Since his release from prison, Vick has since paid to help rehabilitate the animals saved from his dog fighting ring, and has spoken out against animal cruelty.
Jane Stewart of the Georgia Chapter of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says Vick has paid the price and made amends.
"I wish him all the very best," Stewart said. "I hope he does well."
His first coach in Atlanta was Dan Reeves.
"I think you gotta give Mike an awful lot of credit," Reeves said. "To bounce back the way he has and be as humble as I've seen him and excited about being part of the game again." Makavelli's new owner Brandon Bond said he won't forget the cruel acts that took Michael Vick away from the game, and he hopes Vick doesn't forget.
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