First, let me state that you don’t need to be a Michael Vick fan, or even a sports fan for that matter, to understand the point of this article.
You see, last summer, I wrote an article about Michael Vick. OK, not really an article about him but rather simply showing an example of how one could choose to write about a current and somewhat controversial topic and then making a stance.
For those of you who don’t know, Michael Vick is an American football player. To keep the story brief, Vick was drafted as the first player in 2001 and was the most dynamic quarterback in the NFL until he was sent to prison for dog-fighting. After a few years of rehabilitation, he came back in the NFL in 2009 with the Philadelphia Eagles. After a very quiet first season back, Vick is a league MVP candidate halfway through the 2010 season. If you want the longer version, you’ll have to google him yourself.
I’m neither a Vick supporter nor am I a Vick hater. It’s not that I don’t have a stance; my stance just happens to be in the big grey area in the middle. That’s because although he’s said and done all the right things over the last few years, it’s hard to look at him the same way. Personally, I never liked Vick before he went to prison since he wasted his incredible talent because he lacked focus and work ethic (which he openly admits today).
That leads to the point of this article. Vick certainly had people rooting against him than for him. Sure, his great play this year helped convert a good number of followers but what really got him there?
Here are a few lessons that we can take so far from the unfinished Michael Vick saga:
- You’d be amazed at what some people can do when they have nothing left to lose.
- When you put your best effort at something and do it consistently, a good outcome awaits you.
- If you can humble yourself, others will find a way to see your strengths.
- When a small close support group is there for you, don’t let the opinion of the masses discourage you.
- Prepare for game day like it’s your first game; then play the game like it’s your last.
- Just when you think there’s no fight left in the dog… (OK, bad analogy)
Try to put your head around those. I know, this stuff is deeper than a long post pattern DeSean Jackson runs for Vick on Sundays. Whether you love him or hate him, there’s no reason why we can’t learn from him.
How many of those lessons can get you closer to your blog goals?










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Frankly I don’t know him but I understood the point you wanted to convey through this article. Liked the following lines:
“Prepare for game day like it’s your first game; then play the game like it’s your last”
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Maybe I should get that copyrighted!
Really, This is very interesting story. I am very thankful to you.
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Personally speaking, the punishment should have fit the crime…I didn’t even know the idiot was back in the game.
Oh and friend to friend, please consider removing the analogy altogether.
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I get negative comments from friends and family when I wear Eagles gear!
Regardless, it’s not a for/against Vick article; it’s a lessons learned article.
I really inspired to read this interesting article.
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I’m not fond of watching American football and not familiar with this man. But the most important is, I learned from your article. I love what he said “If you can humble yourself, others will find a way to see your strengths.”, yes that’ s absolutely true.
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I am a Big fan of American Football Team. And I like to watch it very much. This is my favorite team And I want to see it as a World Champion of The Football League.
Michael Vick is a controversial person. But it’s a nice thing that he is now getting up from his mistakes. Anyway, the quotes that you write is great, it really reflects Michael Vick’s personal life. I like this one, Prepare for game day like it’s your first game; then play the game like it’s your last.
I make that stuff up as I go along. I should put together a Gabe’s quotes book!
I’m not much of a football fan, but like you well mentioned, you don’t have to be to learn from Vick, knowledge is all around, pick everything you need to enlighten your path ahead. I guess it’s mostly about the goals one has put in his mind and despite the human errors we tend to make through life, the only thing we can really do is learn from them, fix them if possible and be a good example for those around us.
Blogging involves less risks haha I guess that’s why it’s a great opportunity to keep going without worrying so much about consequences and reach your goals, and even here, in the blogging world, doing so with hard work.
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I am not football fan and I am not updated too much with that game. Therefore, I am not familiar with that guy.
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My favorite sport is soccer so do not know much about Football but I think the learning is universal from any sport field. What I learned is that try to not make a mistake, and if you make mistake, try to recover.
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“If you can humble yourself, others will find a way to see your strengths” this is a good one. Lots of people didn’t want to see Vick allowed back in the league and I think he has done a good job of showing humility and earning the trust of most fans back.
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I didn’t want Vick back either but he’s surprised a lot of us. I’m in the Philly area and listen to sports talk every day. There are a lot of good stories about what he’s doing in the community. Can’t tell how genuine it is but at least it looks good so far.
Haha yeah, good call on stopping on your last tip! I agree with Josh Ray, personally I guess I do the opposite of humbling myself and I might boast a little. Maybe I should tone it down to be a more likable person.
It’s OK to be proud of your accomplishments, just don’t overdo it. I’ve learned a lot from my wife, who happens to be the most humble person I know.
Its good story I want to reading and learning !
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Vick – what a thug. From a family of thugs. If you followed both brothers, and family, through VT, you would know.
He’s made it both initially and now on nothing but god given genetic ability, which just happens to be far above most other pro’s.
I don’t think we have a single thing to learn from that IDIOT.
Sorry.
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I am not American and I don’t know much about Vick or American football, but it seems opinions are very different from one person to another
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Opinions are definitely divided on the subject. I can’t even make up my mind myself on Vick. One day I think he deserves a second chance and am glad he has turned it around. The next day I remember the grotesque things he did. I think a lot of people may feel the same way.
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Don’t waste too much brain power on it…
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There are many things that we can learn from vick…When adversity strikes people will see your true character…I love how you say, there is no telling what someone can do when they have nothing left to lose…
ryan
i am big american football fan and we really have to learn from the vick .. he certainly deserves a second chance but it is his opinion in the end .. future is always important
really nice blog:-)
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