Braylon Edwards needed less than a week to be given his opportunity at redemption. After being arrested for drunk driving Edwards was punished by the team, and was forced to sit out the first quarter of Sunday's game. Future punishment by the league, and more importantly the law, is yet to be seen. After making this mistake, Braylon went and shaved his beardface. The debate continues as to which mistake was more grievous.
This lesson learned though may have been just what Edwards needed. He had a stellar three quarters on Sunday, and without him, the Jets would have lost that game. Miami took the lead, and less than one minute later, Braylon scores a TD. The Jets needed a long drive to burn minutes, and Braylon make a key catch and forced an interference call that led to a LT TD. Redemption. He will need more than this one game to be fully forgiven by fans, specifically card carrying members of MADD, but for many, Edwards just has to catch TDs and they'll forget about his 5 AM error. Shaving the beardface though is unforgivable.
Michael Vick's road is much longer than Edwards'. Edwards' offense could have been much worse, had he hit anything, or anyone; but if his windows weren't as tinted, he may have been able to make it home safe and sound, none being the wiser. Vick, on the other hand killed dogs, violently. Premeditated acts of violence against innocent animals. America loves most animals, but dogs in particular have a special place in our hearts. Upon learning that Vick was drowning and electrocuting dogs, America was in an uproar. Vick was a monster.
Just because Vick served his time in Leavenworth Penitentiary, does not automatically mean he would be forgiven. He needed to prove himself worthy of our attention and finally, now he is doing that. Had he remained a backup/wildcat, Vick's comeback would not be complete. After the last two games, albeit against the Lions and Jaguars, Vick is on his way to winning people over. Vick maybe playing better than he ever has before. He is not compiling absurd rushing yards, but his passing game is much improved. He threw for 3 TDs yesterday and rushed for 1 with zero interceptions this season. Redemption. He isn't the best, but he is a work in progress, and is progressing quickly.
Vick and Edwards still have work to do to be fully forgiven and feel redemption, but providing they keep excelling at their jobs and keep out of trouble, they will know the feeling. Now if we can just get Plaxico out of jail and back into the league, the NFL can rename itself the 2nd Chance League.
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