Not so much for us humans, though. Even though Vick has rightfully paid a price for his heinous - and I do mean heinous - acts and has done his time, going from riches to rags and glory to disgrace, there are still legions of people who aren't willing to give him a second chance.
We forgive abusive jocks who beat their wives, pedophile teachers and priests, and thieving politicians - few of whom ever go to jail - but crimes against dogs? Lock him up and throw away the key.
Or, at the very least, take away his livelihood so that he can never contribute to society again.
Well, like it or not, Vick's an Eagle now. And flanking him like protective linemen at last week's news conference were Eagles coach Andy Reid, a man whose own wayward sons know a thing or two about second (and third and fourth) chances, and Super Bowl coach Tony Dungy, now retired, whose son, tragically, committed suicide before he got that second chance to find his way.
Now, they're huddling around Vick, making sure he doesn't blow his second chance. This goes deeper than football.
And they all know it.
Oh, I'm sure a lot of folks won't be breaking down doors to buy No. 7 jerseys. But Vick's arrival in Philadelphia, with all the drama that will confront him and his new team here and on the road, gives us a chance to be crucial characters in his redemption story. Quite the irony for a City of Brotherly Love not known for forgiveness.
It's a tricky notion, redemption. I'm no expert, so I called my pastor.
"There are a couple of key parts to redemption," says the Rev. Mark Kelly Tyler, pastor of Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church. "The person in need of forgiveness has to be able to forgive themselves. And the community has to be willing to give the person a second chance.
"Do you only rejoice when a person is down and you have nothing good to say, despite all he has gone through?" Tyler asks.
