Second chances aren't so bad

After serving his sentence for being convicted on federal dog fighting charges, Michael Vick was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles last week.

As expected, protesters have set up outside the Eagles' training camp facility voicing their displeasure with the move.

I understand these people are passionate in their efforts to speak out against what Vick did, but I don't believe it should stop him from being able to resume his previous career.

If criminal activity had a "one and done" element, there would be no need for work release programs at jails and prisons across the country.

Sure, not everyone comes out on the other side after serving time in prison, but the opportunity should be allowed for individuals to show they have turned their life around.

And it does happen.

Locally, there is one individual who is a self-admitted former drug user and dealer, and after doing his time, is working to help others overcome their addictions and other shortcomings through "Celebrate Recovery."

Almost every day, someone is released from jail through a work release program and gets a decent job making more than decent wages.

The point is, just because someone screwed up doesn't mean it should destroy their lives after fulfilling their punishment.

In the NFL alone, players get second, and sometimes third, chances to resume their careers after pleading guilty or being indicted on major charges.

Take these three players for example:

* Leonard Little -- pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter after killing a woman while driving with a blood alcohol content level of 0.19 in 1998. He is still in the NFL today, even after being arrested again in 2004 for drunk driving and speeding,

* Ray Lewis -- After initially being charged for murder and aggravated assault in an incident in 2000, in which two men died from stab wounds, he pled guilty to obstruction of justice, as part of a plea bargain, and was fined a record $250,000 by the NFL. However, he was not suspended or released by the Baltimore Ravens, and remains in the league today as well, and

* Travis Henry -- In 2001, he pled guilty to a misdemeanor charge of attempted sexual misconduct for trying to have sexual contact with a 15-year-old girl in his home after the girl told him she was almost 18. Henry has had numerous other run-ins with the law since then, and while he is currently not in the league, he was able to continue to play through 2007 with the Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans and Denver Broncos, despite his ability to straighten his life out.

Now, I'm not saying there should be an unlimited amount of second chances because you have to put a stop to things at some point. But in my mind, the "three strikes" mentality should always be in effect because people can mistakes once or twice and, within reason, get their second chance, but make that third mistake, and all rules go out the window as the book should be thrown right at their head.

For the time being, Michael Vick has done his time, and still has hours of community service to complete, but when someone has the talent to perform a specific skill, they deserve the opportunity after making a mistake.