Has Michael Vick repayed his debt to the NFL?

After serving a 23 month Federal Prison sentence there is little doubt that Michael Vick has repaid his debt to society. With that being said, the new question becomes has he repaid his debt for the damage he has done to the NFL?

Vick, convicted in a dog fighting ring, has opened up the NFL to all kinds of public demonstrations by dog lovers, and those lovable whack jobs over at PETA. Say what you want about them, what they do well is create a public spectacle that could be targeted against the NFL and its corporate sponsors.

While Vick has repaid society by serving his prison sentence and will do ads for the Humane Society, one has to wonder if this man even belongs back in the NFL. While everyone has a right to make a living, playing in the NFL is not a right. In fact it is a privilege and a privilege that Vick has thoroughly abused.

The latest rumors are that Vick had a meeting Wednesday with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, and that Goodell is set to keep his indefinite suspension through 2-6 games of the upcoming season. A move like this would effectively end a Vick comeback in 2009, which is good. Vick needs to prove that he can behave himself, and needs to prove that he can still play.

At this point NFL GM’s may be unwilling to take a risk on Vick. It might serve him well to go play for the CFL, or in the upstart UFL. By doing so Vick could start to regain his game legs, prove that he still has some skills, and start to rebuild his image.

Maybe by playing in a lesser league, or a lot less money Vick would also a learn a little humility. Maybe after a year in a lesser league Vick would begin to understand being a NFL caliber QB is a privilege, and also is a position that caries with it a little social responsibility. Until Vick shows he understand this he should not be allowed back in the NFL.