Michael Vick Launches Comeback On and Off the Field
After dogfighting conviction, quarterback speaks to students about his mistakes.
Nov. 24, 2010 — -- Michael Vick is making a new name for himself.
Putting up an all-time-best six touchdowns in a record-setting game against the Washington Redskins in week 10 and leading the Philadelphia Eagles to a come-from-behind win over the New York Giants Sunday, Vick's performances on the field have thrust him into the MVP conversation.
If you told him three years ago commentators would be hailing him as the best quarterback on the field, he wouldn't have believed you. After being convicted for his role in the "Bad Newz Kennels" dog fighting operation in 2007 and serving 18 months in federal prison, Vick didn't think he'd suit up in a professional uniform again.
"At the time, it was over," Vick told ABC News' Bob Woodruff. "I think I'm a better player now because God took me to the bottom. I'm a firm believer in karma and I think it happened because of what I did, and what I allowed to happen to those animals."
Now, Vick is the leading player in a comeback story playing out in two arenas -- on the gridiron and on a high school auditorium stage.
When he's not avoiding the pass rush, Vick can be found in places like James Hillhouse High School in New Haven, Conn., where he spoke with students Tuesday about his past, the horrors of dog fighting and the importance of trying to live responsibly.
"It's been a great opportunity," Vick said of his partnership with the Humane Society of the United States, "trying to get the message out there and trying to prevent all forms of violence and all forms of animal cruelty."
Wayne Pacelle, the president and CEO of the Humane Society, introduced Vick to the roughly 500 students in attendance.
"Michael Vick and I have been traveling around the country in an unlikely sort of way," Pacelle said. "Michael Vick is very passionate about this issue. He made some terrible mistakes. He got involved with dog fighting, and he threatened his career by getting involved in something cruel."
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