New York Jets quarterback Michael Vick is no stranger to controversy or being on the receiving end of negative public opinion and he offered some advice to Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice after he was mired in negativity following an incident with his then-fiancée in Atlantic City.
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Vick, who was convicted on dogfighting charges in 2007 and has been in an uphill battle to win back the trust of the public ever since, has joined the Humane Society for animal rights and believes that Rice can take similar steps on his road to redemption.
"You've got to continue to make amends," Vick told the NJ.com. "Once you start something, you can never go back. I feel like I've become an advocate of animal welfare, and I think I have to continue that. It's all about keeping kids 15 years from now from doing the same. We've saved a lot of kids, and we've saved a lot of animals. That's how I feel. Ray will make it right. He'll do everything he can to make this situation whole again."
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Rice, who was seen dragging his now-wife Janay Palmer on unconscious body off of an elevator in Atlantic City on video on Feb. 15, received a two-game ban for his actions from the NFL after he allegedly knocked her unconscious. Rice publically apologized for the incident earlier this month.
Vick believes that Rice needs to stand by the pledge he made during his apology speech.
"I think the most important thing that you can do is to try to make amends for what you've done," Vick told the website. "I think you have to show people that you're trying to help yourself and bring awareness to that situation to help others, to prevent it. You've got to become an advocate."
Vick spent 18 months in federal prison for his dogfighting role and eventually slowly changed some people's minds about him after he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2009 and won the city over through his work with the community. Vick is now signed with the Jets and looks to elevate Geno Smith in his second year in the league.
Rice was well-received by the Baltimore fans during their preseason Week 1 victory over the San Francisco 49ers, which has aided his attempt to repair his public image.
"That means the world to me," Rice said via ESPN about being warmly received. "Everything I went through, I don't take anything for granted anymore, especially going out there and playing in front of our fans. It's a lot of respect that I have to go out there and earn because of the position that I put myself in."
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