The showdown that wasn't

Sunday was supposed to feature an epic showdown in Philadelphia. Donovan McNabb, the longtime quarterback of the Eagles, returned to town with his new team, the division rival Washington Redskins. And he was supposed to be facing Michael Vick, who is probably the most polarizing athlete playing today.

It didn't happen. McNabb was cheered by the crowd early, a sign of respect that some didn't think he would get, and he looked hot early, firing a 31-yard touchdown strike to tight end Chris Cooley to put the Redskins up 14-0. But the rest of the game was underwhelming. McNabb finished with a win for his team, but went 8-for-19 for 125 yards that touchdown to Cooley and an interception. He completed just two passes for 10 yards in the second half... not exactly a convincing show of force.

As for his opponent, Vick, that matchup was short lived. The NFL's offensive player the month of September, Vick was pounded on his way to the goal line in the first quarter and never returned. Kevin Kolb, the man he displaced in week one, had a weak and uneven performance — so far the trademark of Kolb's play — at the Eagles fell 17-12 at home.

I, for one, was disappointed. I was disappointed not to get to see Vick play more than anything, which is something I never thought I'd be saying four years ago. While Vick remains a polarizing figure, I, for one, am proud to see he has gotten his life back on track.

There are some that still wish Vick ill because of his involvement with dog fighting. I can understand the outrage that still exists, but I think it is misplaced. We should, in fact, be celebrating Vick as an example of how the justice system in this country can work.

Vick, despite his class status, wealth, and fame, was convicted of a crime. He was forced to forfeit a lucrative contract and went bankrupt. He served 19 months in jail and spent a further amount of time on probation. Since he's been out, Vick has been an avowed spokesman for the humane society and, by all accounts, has rehabilitated his behavior and approach to life. Now he is rebuilding his career, and doing it in a spectacular way. If that isn't what we hope to see when we send people to prison, I don't know what is. And in a world where celebrities often catch every break imaginable and squander them, it is refreshing to see someone who was punished for his crimes and fought to make amends.

As Christians, we should be celebrating those that work for redemption. Who knows if Vick is a person of faith, but he is an example of the wages of sin and what it takes to get back on the right path. A cornerstone of faith is forgiveness. We receive God's forgiveness even though we could never do anything to deserve it, shouldn't we extend that same courtesy to someone who is working so hard to atone for his misdeeds?