A Second Chance

The past week in news has featured the re-appearance of two stars who have recently fallen from the grace and fan fare they were once showered with heavily.

All Star NFL quarterback Michael Vick, was just given a new lease on life as he was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles after serving almost two years in prison for being involved in the operations of an illegal dog fighting club. Vick, who just two years ago was on the covers of video game boxes and millions of other NFL products, is now facing his biggest challenge of all – not from a defender on the field – but protesters and animal rights activists.

One well known activist being Philly native P!nk. The singer recently lashed out at Vick, saying on her Twitter page “wow. michael vick in MY hometown, Philly. of all the places. I hope the fans tear him to pieces like his beloved dogs”.

The signing of Vick by the Eagles may have even put a divide in their fan support for the upcoming season.

Here’s what those wordsmiths at PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) had to say: “PETA and millions of decent football fans around the world are disappointed that the Philadelphia Eagles have chosen to sign a man who hanged dogs from trees, electrocuted them with jumper cables, held them underwater until they drowned in his swimming pool, and even threw his own family dogs into the fighting pit to be torn to shreds while he laughed.”

Ouch!

Multi-talented recording artist and dancer Chris Brown has also recently surfaced, with an apology video as well as a new song, titled “I’m a Changed Man”, said to be appearing on his upcoming Graffiti album. Each is being used by the young star to revamp his image after it was tarnished this past February when he was arrested for assaulting his now ex-girlfriend Rihanna.

Brown has faced backlash from several radio stations pulling his songs as well as dropping him from campaign ads as well as protests from many anti-domestic violence advocates.

Chris Brown – “Changed Man”

My questions are:

Do celebrities deserve a second chance after their initial mistakes, or are we way too hard on them, forgetting that they are just people in the end?

Who do you think will recover faster from their situation Michael Vick or Chris Brown?
Let us know what you think in the comments section below.