Vick's graduation speech bound to unleash more bark than bite from cynics

A cynic is someone, H.L. Mencken observed, "who, when he smells flowers, looks around for a coffin."

Is there an athlete today who stirs the cynics more than Michael Vick?

Then it's to be expected that they would be looking around for any reason to complain - or exclaim in loud disbelief - about Vick's selection as the commencement speaker for a class of troubled, mistake-prone Philadelphia youths.

It's a pretty safe guess Vick's appearance next month at the graduation will arouse skepticism from the people who just can't wait to tell everybody how much they hate the guy.

Two years after he left prison, somebody is always bothered by something Vick does, says or attempts to represent. He can count on that continuing until the last dog owner barks.

That the seniors at the Camelot Schools for kids with behavioral and emotional issues selected Vick isn't surprising. The alternatives were Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter and Philadelphia schools superintendent Dr. Arlene Ackerman, who for all their good intentions and fine qualities, have never quarterbacked the Eagles or appeared in a video game.

Celebrity aside, what Vick has to say will be more relatable to the graduates.

"These students may have made a mistake along the way," Vick said the other day, "but they turned it around. They did the right thing and finished school. I am honored to be speaking at their commencement."

When all is said and done, Vick is a rich, gifted athlete. It's a little bit of a stretch to think his comeback from a stint in federal prison on a dog-fighting beef and the loss of his personal fortune is relevant to the experiences of unexceptional kids from single-parent homes and drug rehab centers.

But what the kids have in common with Vick - or more importantly, think they do - is an understanding of what it's like to hit bottom.

If Vick really wants to reach these kids - and be heard by the cynics - he could start by reaching a little deeper inside himself. He could attempt to articulate what it was that led to his mistakes and criminal behavior.

That's probably asking too much. Personal introspection isn't a basic instinct for most athletes; it can often be an impediment to greatness.

Vick is no deep thinker or silky toastmaster, but if he genuinely wants to meet and inspire these kids, that says more than any prepared text.

As personal appearances go, Vick's commencement address will rise above the usual Humane Society obligations. The kids at the Camelot Schools have come up with a great idea.

But somebody doesn't like it. Maybe you don't like it. Almost anything having to do with Vick - especially off the football field - turns into a divisive issue.

Hardened cynics will roll their eyes over his presence at the graduation. Windows will be thrown open to snarky comments from those who will never be convinced that 18 months in prison and the loss of millions was a steep enough price for Vick to pay - or that he should be portrayed as a figure of redemption.

No matter how many apologies he issues, Vick can't win over everybody. And perhaps he doesn't deserve to.

Unfortunately, Vick's speech likely will turn into a media circus. Through no fault of his own, the ceremony will become all about him when the focus should be on the graduates' efforts to turn their lives around.

Let's hope Vick is up to the challenge. But aren't these students - and others like them - the type of audience he should be addressing?

With that in mind, maybe the cynics could be persuaded to sit this one out.

Bob Molinaro, (757) 446-2373, bob.molinaro@pilotonline.com