NFL commissioner: Contrition is Vick's only hope

The decision lies in the hands of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

The opportunity lies at the feet of Michael Vick.

Based on Goodell's comments Tuesday night in Lexington, all the former Virginia Tech quarterback has to do is pick it up, seize that second chance and run.

If you're reading this in prison, Michael, here's some advice:

Don't hedge your apology. When you talk to the commissioner, speak from the heart. Stutter if you must. But mean what you say, then act accordingly. Only then will you be paying football again.

Vick is scheduled to be transferred to home confinement on May 21 and released from federal custody on July 20.

But before he can even think about returning to the football field, he's got to be reinstated to the league by the Goodell, a man who has built a reputation as a hardliner on discipline.

That's the bad news for the Vick.

The good news?

Goodell, in town Tuesday for a leadership presentation at Washington and Lee, sounds like he's ready to reinstate Vick - provided the quarterback shows that he's a different man than the one who pleaded guilty to bankrolling a dogfighting ring in August 2007.

"I've said before that I'll review the matter once he's completed all of his legal issues," Goodell said following his presentation.

"And at that point in time, I will want to meet with Michael. I will want to meet with his people. I will want to meet with other professionals to understand: Does he understand the mistakes he made? Is he genuine and (does he) have remorse for those actions? And is he prepared to handle himself different going forward? That will ultimately be my decision."

Goodell will not be conned.

"Do not reflect poorly on the shield" has been his motto since taking over the league almost three years ago, and almost every action he's taken has been in accordance with that philosophy. He's instituted a stiff personal conduct policy. He's suspended players. He's confiscated draft picks.

"I think that's part of who he is; it's the core of his fabric," says his older brother Bill Goodell, a W&L law school graduate who helped lure the commissioner to Tuesday's event.

"It's part of the reason I wanted him to come to W&L. It's about integrity. It's about performance. It's about honor. It's about civility. He embodies all of those things."

While Roger Goodell said "there's no greater impact" on a player than suspending him, he doesn't like doing it.

"It's the least fun for me," he said.

"Players love to play the game. Coaches love to coach the game. You don't want to do that. Our efforts here are to try help people avoid making mistakes, not having to discipline people. I'm not trying to reinforce failures. We're trying to create success."

Vick still has a chance to be one of those preferred stories. But ultimately, this isn't up to the sheriff. It's up to the ex-con.