Expect Newport News native Michael Vick to appear on a high-profile, network television talk show real soon.
Perhaps he'll appear with the women of "The View." Perhaps he'll appear on David Letterman. Or perhaps he'll reconnect with the folks at "The Oprah Winfrey Show" and sit on the most famed set on the television talk-show circuit.
Whenever and wherever Vick appears, the occasion should be applauded, embraced and celebrated by all of Hampton Roads and by anyone who believes in second chances.
Two sources close to Vick told me this week that reports that Vick would appear with Oprah were premature and that Vick was having talks with multiple high-profile shows. From where I'm sitting, it doesn't get any bigger than Oprah, but wherever Vick appears, the thought here is, "You go, Mike!"
Vick has demonstrated a remarkable road to recovery after dogfighting charges landed him 18 months in federal prison and additional time of federal supervision.
The NFL quarterback pretty much admitted to his mistakes and laid out his path to rehabilitate his career on the BET documentary "The Michael Vick Project."
He became a humble backup for a year with the Philadelphia Eagles, and just a year later, emerged as an even bigger star quarterback, thanks to improved accuracy and the return of his unparalleled fast feet.
Vick, a product of Warwick High and Virginia Tech, and a former resident of the proud but much-maligned Southeast Community, was the starting quarterback in the 2011 Pro Bowl game, earning a return trip to Honolulu for himself and some family members.
He also has been almost everyone's Comeback Player of the Year, earning the honor from The Sporting News and The Associated Press.
More important, Vick has been a good citizen off the field. He never had been the trouble magnet that many NFL stars seem to be. If anything, he had been a shy, withdrawn star off the field, pretty much keeping his personal life out of the public spotlight.
Not anymore.
These days, he is speaking at schools and community centers with his mentors and handlers from the Humane Society of America — practically sermonizing to young kids about the evils of abusing animals and imploring them to love their own pets with care.
One of those visits was a return trip to his former school, Huntington Middle School in Newport News, and a Vick supporter says that plans are in the works for Vick to return to a Peninsula school in the spring.
