On Christmas Eve of 2004, the Atlanta Falcons gave Michael Vick a 10-year, $130 million contract, more in recognition of his promise than his production.
Almost three years and $22 million worth of signing bonus later, Vick is likely headed to prison and his football career is in jeopardy. The brilliantly talented, but tragically flawed quarterback has fallen short of the Falcons' vision in every way possible.
It is uncertain whether there will be any more NFL Sundays in store for Vick after a 12-to-18-month prison sentence - the punishment expected to be meted out for a guilty plea to dogfighting charges.
But Leigh Steinberg, the sports agent who has advised marquee quarterbacks, can see a future with Vick back in the NFL, if not back in Atlanta.
"Imagine a tearful Michael Vick admitting that he did what he was charged with, vowing to be an advocate for animals rights and [willing to] spend the rest of his life making up for whatever harm he did," Steinberg said.
"It's as brutal a destruction of a reputation as I've seen in years for a player, but the passage of time with the right repentance will heal a lot of wounds. It just does."
Steinberg, who does not represent Vick, said supply and demand for elite quarterbacks likely will dictate another chance for Vick.
"Remember, we're talking about a player that several years ago was considered to be the most talented player in the entire NFL by many people and the shining star of the NFL," Steinberg said.
That precludes a lifetime ban by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who is cracking down on aberrant behavior in the league. Goodell has instituted a new personal-conduct policy, and could issue the lifetime ban if the NFL's investigation into the charges produces evidence of gambling.
Veteran Gary Stills of the Ravens says Vick should be allowed back after he has taken his punishment.
"Of course he should be allowed back in the league," Stills said. "Whatever he did, he's got to face up to it. Whatever he did was wrong, he got in trouble, he'll take a plea. He shouldn't be banned from the NFL."
Because terms of Vick's plea agreement haven't been announced, it's uncertain how much time he will miss. It is expected that Goodell's suspension will come at the end of Vick's jail time, just as it did when he suspended former Chicago Bears defensive tackle Tank Johnson during the offseason.
