Sports’ 5 most remarkable comebacks (and Vick makes list)
Michael vick is a starter once again.
We all love comeback stories. It’s understandable if not everybody in Atlanta is completely embracing the Michael Vick comeback story. But if Vick’s sudden ascent to starting quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles’ starting quarterback turns out to be not just an aberration for the rest of his NFL career, his return to the top will go down as one of the most remarkable comeback stories in sports history.
I would put Vick’s comeback as No. 4 all-time. You may put him higher, or lower, or not at all. But here are my top 5.
♦ 1. Muhammad Ali: He was the heavyweight champion when being the heavyweight champion meant something. But he was stripped of his title after refusing induction into the army in 1967 because, as he said, “I ain’t got no quarrel against no Viet Cong.” When Ali returned to the ring three years and seven months later in Atlanta, he
Muhammad Ali: Stopped Jerry Quarry after a 3 1/2-year absence.
dropped Jerry Quarry in three rounds and eventually regained the WBA and WBC championship by knocking out George Foreman.
♦ 2. Ted Williams: He hit .327, .344, .406 and .356 in his first four major league seasons. Then he left after the 1942 season to fly as a fighter pilot in World War II, came back in 1946 and won his first of two MVP awards and the Triple Crown in 1947. He left again to fight in the Korean War, came back and immediately became an All-Star.
Ted Williams: Fighter pilot in World War II and Korea.
♦ 3. Mario Lemieux: The former Pittsburgh Penguins great took a year off (his first exit). He came back from radiation treatments and surgery for Hodgkin’s lymphoma (as well as two back surgeries). He “retired” for the first time in 1997 – despite winning the scoring title that year with a 50-goal, 122-point season. Three and a half years later, he decided to come back and had an immediate impact: 35 goals and 76 points in only 43 games in the 2000-01 season. He had a goal and two assists in his first game back.
♦ 4. Michael Vick: No athlete lost more than Vick when he went to prison, and I’m including Mike Tyson, when you take into account NFL salary, off-the-field income, career stature and personal stature. Vick’s wounds obviously were self-inflicted, but that
Mario Lemieux scored in his first game back.
makes his return to starter even more impressive because it shows he has matured and overcome personal demons.
♦ 5. Ben Hogan: Last April, Tiger Woods compared his comeback from a sex scandal to Hogan’s comeback from nearly dying in a car crash. Woods didn’t put his foot in his mouth, he put an entire shoe store in his mouth. Hogan, like Williams, missed two years on the PGA Tour to serve in War World II. But his most stunning return followed a head-on car collision with a bus in Texas in 1949. He suffered a fractured collar bone, double-fracture of the pelvis, fractures in his ankle and ribs and near-fatal blood clots. He spent two months in the hospital. Then he returned and won two Masters, three U.S. Opens and the British Open between 1950 and 1953.
You’ll notice I’m not including athletes who come back from normal sports injuries. Others high on my list included: George Foreman (boxing), Dara Torres (swimming), Michael Jordan (basketball) and Gordie Howe (hockey).
So where would you rank Vick’s ascent back to starter?
♦
SACK SCHULTZ: I’ll have an update on my slow climb to No. 1 later this week. Meanwhile, there’s still time to join the fun. Click here for more info on the weekly college football picks contest and then sign up at ajc.com/go/sack-schultz.
♦
Last few posts, on demand
♦ Richt not worried about Georgia players being in funk (yet)
♦ McGarity still calm amid storm, expresses confidence in Richt
♦ Braves’ biggest problem may be Rockies, not Phillies
♦ Matt Ryan overcomes hellish week (not that he noticed)
♦
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222 comments Add your comment
Allie Kat
September 22nd, 2010
2:14 pm
Jeff Hullinger’s comeback is a good one too.
I saw him anchoring the news with Brenda Wood on Channel 11 last night.
Billy Ray Valentine
September 22nd, 2010
2:15 pm
Me,
the irony of your comment about folks living in trailers is too much for me.
That would be like me saying that every Michael Vick supporter must live in a project house and be on welfare yet still drive an escolade.
You make it seem that people who happen to not like Vick (for whatever the reason ) are hillbillies and live in trialers and burn crosses.
Could it be that some people just don’t like him as a football player and chose not to stand behind a person who made the choices he made.
why do you want to make everything about race?
I happen to think Vick was a terrible quarterback with the falcons. And now he’s glorified by Shultz and the AJC. C’mon! 2 games (one of which was against the Lions) doesnt make it a come back.
JSS
September 22nd, 2010
2:17 pm
@ Tired…
The word is not spelled that way… It is spelled like the country and western night spot which it takes name from by their patrons… Also it was name in Ukrainian language for natives of the region. It didn’t become a pejorative until 1967 at the earliest.
Billy Ray Valentine
September 22nd, 2010
2:17 pm
Pops,
Nothing was mentioned about how much he will be making.
I happen to not be a fan of Vick because of his playing style and his inability to be effective in the passing game when he was with Atlanta. Certainly not because of how much he makes vs what I make.
And pops, I imagine it would be safe to say that Vick’s $5million will trump your w-2 for the 2010 year.
80sFalcon
September 22nd, 2010
2:19 pm
Dog fighting aside, to even mention Vick in the same sentence or article with the likes of Ted Williams, Ali and Ben Hogan is an insult. What they were able to accomplish was extraordinary. Vick has been named the starter for TWO games! Before we bust out the ticker tape and confetti let’s see what he does over the next few years!
Billy Ray Valentine
September 22nd, 2010
2:21 pm
I find it intresting that anyone who disgrees that Vick’s 2 games back in the NFL has to be a top 5 comeback of all time is a 100% redneck, inbred knuckle dragger who is jealous of someone making more money than them.
The other people mentioned on the list of comebacks had steller careers and accomplishments AFTER their return to their respective sport. Vick is making the most of his 2nd chance in the NFL, and only time will tell if he is able to accomlish the same things, and more.
James
September 22nd, 2010
2:22 pm
NoIssue,
You say “the falcons were 2 years removed from the superbowl so he had something to work with”…..this shows me that you are either a liar or you know NOTHING about football. That O-line SUCKED and the receivers couldn’t catch a cold!
You’re right about ONE thing he didn’t dedicate himself as a falcon but he STILL was a probowler….now he’s the first one to arrive at practice and the LAST one to leave according to his coaches and teammates…WOW, the haters are going to be VERY disappointed!
Mason
September 22nd, 2010
2:23 pm
Vick over Hogan?! Hogan’s comeback included multiple major championships. This would be the equivalent of Vick coming back and winning multiple Super Bowls and an MVP. Hoever, Vick’s “comeback” so far has included one win over the Lions. I usually like your writing, but this is awful. I can’t even believe I’m commenting on it.
Afraid
September 22nd, 2010
2:30 pm
Whatever happened to that rapist that supposed raped Patrick Kerney’s “friend” in his house while he was there?? Is there a rapist still roaming around in Buckhead?? That was at least 3 years ago… right?
BzB
September 22nd, 2010
2:31 pm
some of you criticizing the inclusion of vick and spewing hate at him (and js) are the most hypocritical type. yes vick was wrong in the worst way. he went to jail for it and was financially ruined because of it. deservingly so! he’s reminded of the bad life decisions he made every day. he will be making amends for the rest of his life and is on the road to redemption. he has long way to go to redemption, if he ever gets there, but he’s trying.
have fun during hunting/fishing season and at the horse races you hypocrites.
good luck and all the best to mv7. there are A LOT of people in Atlanta (both white and black) that support you on your journey and cheer your success.
Born2Buzz
September 22nd, 2010
2:33 pm
This is a great bar discussion topic.
I’d rate Hogan and Williams as 1 & 2. The both came back to perform at the all time highest level in their sport. Hogan came back from near death and overcame serious physical ailments. Williams came back from going to war.
Ali just took 3 years off from his sport with no major hardship involved. Lemieux at least came back from serious illness and was successful but not at the absolute highest level.
Very premature to count Vick as anywhere close to being on this list. But I do wish him well.
John
September 22nd, 2010
2:34 pm
Amen BzB!!! They only believe in 2nd chances if its someone that looks like them. 90% of them wouldn’t own a pitbull if you paid them!
Billy Ray Valentine
September 22nd, 2010
2:35 pm
BzB,
There you go, throwing out broad spectrum accusations that all non-supporters of Vick are hunters and fishermen and hang out betting on the ponies.
Has anyone on this board said they enjoy killing a 8 point buck at 6am on a saturday, or hooking a 10lb large mouth bass down by the buford dam?
Not that I’ve read.
So I guess that makes your statement a stereotype of all people who do not support Vick.
Well played BzB. Wel played.
Billy Ray Valentine
September 22nd, 2010
2:37 pm
John,
would you own a poodle?
I fail to see the logic in a persons choice of dog.
Amy
September 22nd, 2010
2:37 pm
Jimmie,
Don’t waste your time with that question…the haters can’t answer it honestly. I have another question, if McNabb was accused of the same things that Big Ben was, would he still be in the league??? Same situation, no criminal chargers!
Tarik
September 22nd, 2010
2:38 pm
You waste a spot on the list for Ben hogan instead of Jordan in your top 5?? There is NO better comeback than picking up where u left off at. As if you never left and Jordan did just that…I’ma huge Vick fan, but on the real..he’s not even a starter and hasnt won any games of real importance..hey Jeff try again..
Billy Ray Valentine
September 22nd, 2010
2:39 pm
and John, you might want to be careful using the term “them”
You don’t know exactly what race we are or what type of people we are.
GIVE ME A BREAK
September 22nd, 2010
2:42 pm
Vick shouldn’t even be playing. NFL should have closed the door on his career. No guts. It’s all about the money.
cane
September 22nd, 2010
2:45 pm
What no Lance Armstrong? Or are you already discounting him due to PEDs?
Billy Ray Valentine
September 22nd, 2010
2:48 pm
Amy,
the answer to Jimmie’s queston,if Brady or Manning were to be convicted of the same crime, then yes as far as I am concerned, and please remember this is just my humble opinion, I would still consider them criminals. Now what the NFL choses to do with them, thats up to Roger’s job.
Second, if Donovan McNabb were to be accused, with no criminal charges, just like Big Ben, then I would hold him in the same light I hold Big Ben in…..he may or may not have done something wrong, I don’t know he was never charged with anything. I would also say the same thing about Donovan as I have said numerous times about Big Ben, he had no business being in a college bar, he put himself in a bad situation, and it has cost his 6 games.
any other questions you would like me to answer?
Billy Ray Valentine
September 22nd, 2010
2:49 pm
And Jimmie, you’re right, the world might have a long way to go, but let’s be honest with each other here. Both sides need to progress.
Stop-n-Think
September 22nd, 2010
2:52 pm
You guys that are ripping Vick are JERKS. Schultz NEVER said he was a hero, he was just rating the comebacks. He lost all his material possesions, didnt touch a football field for 2yrs……and has regained his athleticism. You guys are holding him responsible for a mistake he made……one blogger correctly wrote about how we forgave Stallworth for running over a HUMAN, but you guys can’t forgive Vick over dogs! Ted Kennedy tried to cover up a man drowning in the car he drove into the lake….and America forgave him and many people don’t know it happened. I would say LET IT GO!!!! His comeback is wonderful and Tiger’s will be historic. People walk around “holier than thou” and forget that to err is human, but to forgive is divine. Great List Schultz!!!! Josh Hamilton is right there with the people on the list…….
Jimmie
September 22nd, 2010
2:53 pm
Billy Ray,Can’t get a take on you.You’re all over the place.
Stop-n-Think
September 22nd, 2010
2:58 pm
Bill Ray, come off your high horse dude
Billy Ray Valentine
September 22nd, 2010
2:58 pm
Stop-n-think…..are you sure it was a man in the car with Kennedy at Chappaquiddick, cause Mary Jo doesn’t seem like a fellas name to me. Maybe they name boys different up there in Boston, but down here in the south (where us JERKS live) Mary Jo is a gals name.
and not to start another debate, but I would say the only people who walk around with the “holier than thou” attitude is these professional athletes who think they are untouchable and can get away with anything.
Billy Ray Valentine
September 22nd, 2010
2:59 pm
What you mean Jimmie….what would you like to know?
Stop-n-think…not riding no high horse here….that might be cruel to animals.
Dawglasville
September 22nd, 2010
3:00 pm
Amy – A lot of people said that if Bonds was white he wouldn’t get the same treatment. Well, Clements is white and I would say there aren’t a whole lot of people going to back for him.
Rothesberger (?) was never convicted of anything but I never heard anyone calling in on the Two Live Stews rushing to defend him.
People are people. You get in trouble when you hold yourself out to be superior to someone. To say that whites have the monopoly on hate would in itself be a racist remark.
Falcons1987
September 22nd, 2010
3:01 pm
@ Billy Ray
I don’t think athletes walk around with that attitude
Cheeseheads suk!
September 22nd, 2010
3:01 pm
Brett Favre anyone? Comes out of retirement and almost leads his team to the Superbowl!
Falcons1987
September 22nd, 2010
3:02 pm
Favre NEVER retired!!!
CHILD PLEASE!!!!!!! Sorry, couldn’t resist
Stop-n-Think
September 22nd, 2010
3:03 pm
LOL good one Billy Ray
Jimmie
September 22nd, 2010
3:05 pm
Stop-n-think,I’m with you.People let this go!!This a great story a man getting a second chance and making the best of it.
Stop-n-Think
September 22nd, 2010
3:05 pm
Billy Ray……
The point is Kennedy got off free and clear and later became a “hero” to Obama and idiot liberals because of “healthcare deform.” We forgive a man for murder and a cover-up who served NO JAIL TIME….but still crucify Vick.
Billy Ray Valentine
September 22nd, 2010
3:07 pm
Jimmie,
You want to know where I stand on this whole issue.
Well here goes, (buckle up) I feel that Vick is a terrible quarterback, I felt that way when he was 28th in the league in pass completion when he was a falcon.
I feel that anyone who supports Vick certainly may do so. Just like anyone who choses not to support Vick (for WHATEVER the reason)may do so.
What I don’t understand is why anyone who isn’t in favor of including Vick in the top 5 comebacks of all-time, must be a cross burning knuckle dragger who lives in a trailer, or as others would say “A JERK”
People on here seem to fall under the assumption that if you don’t believe the exact same thing as me, then you must be ignorant. And if you “hate on” Vick, it’s probably because you’re jealous of the black man getting his check and making more than you.
Fact of the matter is what he did was criminal, thus making him a criminal. Anyone who wishes to support him and buy his jerseys and cheer for his “comeback” may certainly do so. That’s their choice.
I for one, have never been a Vick fan, not even when he took the dirty birds deep into the playoffs.
I find humor in the irnoy from the people on this board. People want to make it a race thing, and say folks wouldn’t say the same thing if a white man did this. Why does every blog end up in race?
Is it because we’re able to say what we really feel in our hearts, while hiding behind a humorous screen name?
anything else I didn’t cover?
Stop-n-Think
September 22nd, 2010
3:08 pm
Jimmie….
They’ll never let it go. Because he was “hero” for playing football and a role model to kids……Great Jobs parents (sarcasm). We think that athletes are suppose to be heroes for our kids…..
Billy Ray Valentine
September 22nd, 2010
3:09 pm
Falcon 87….you dont think pro athletes (from all major sports) believe they are untouchable?
the Jets WR who just got arrested for DWI……the jets employ a 24 hour car service to pick up any player who needs a ride.
Why would he chose to drive home instead of calling the car service?
Stop-n-Think
September 22nd, 2010
3:11 pm
Hey Billy
It’s only agrivating because people don’t beleive in redemption….
Falcons1987
September 22nd, 2010
3:13 pm
That’s just a person being human. Because you have politicians breaking the law all the time and still try to govern our lives…..Obama’s tax cheating administration…..So no, I don’t think athletes have that mentality. They are just young, idiotic, rich people…..ala Paris Hilton
Billy Ray Valentine
September 22nd, 2010
3:13 pm
Stop-n-Go.
In this sports centered society, athletes do get much more attention than they should.
Why does Lebron hold a 1 hour press conference on where he’s going to sign? Becasue he knows that every kid in America will tune in to watch.
My hero is my grandfather…and he never played a down in the NFL and never had 1 major league at-bat.
Stop-n-Think
September 22nd, 2010
3:16 pm
My hero is my dad, because he worked hard for our family and sent his kids to college. And he carried me to see those “self-centered” athletes…..The point is why can’t we turn the page on Vick’s history?
Billy Ray Valentine
September 22nd, 2010
3:17 pm
Young, idiotic, rich people, who think the rules don’t apply to them.
Stop-n-Think
September 22nd, 2010
3:18 pm
Well Billy…..WE FINALLY AGREE!!!!!!
That can be attributed to our USELESS justice system. Who punishes those who can’t afford to buy their way out of jail.
Billy Ray Valentine
September 22nd, 2010
3:20 pm
well now, my dad took me to plenty of sporting events as well, dont get me wrong. but when you leave the dome and you get in your car and you drive home to whatever kind of house you have, the athlete that you just paid top dollar to see is getting in a pimped out car, going home to a mansion in a gated community, and calling his agent the whole way home bitching about the fact that he doesn’t make enough money.
Vick’s history is as much a part of who he is as his playing ability. Sad, but true.
Like I said in my diatribe, I don’t cheer for Vick because I feel he is a terrible quarterback, not because he chose to break the law and finance a dog fighting business.
Mike10
September 22nd, 2010
3:21 pm
Michael Vick earned his way back in my opinion, I knew he was going to get a shot somewhere and knew he was going to take full advantage of it.I wish Michael nothing but the best and I hope he stays on the right track.I kind of wish we still had him in Atlanta because I’m a little skeptical Matt Ryan can lead us to the top I think quite frankly he’s overated.
gt
September 22nd, 2010
3:21 pm
It makes you wonder how much of this is hard work and how much is just natural talent. If he worked as hard as I think he had to, to come back I have total respect, if we are worshiping what God gave him and he abused it is hard to worship my equal.
Stop-n-Think
September 22nd, 2010
3:22 pm
kudos Falcons1987
Najeh Davenpoop
September 22nd, 2010
3:22 pm
“What about Bob Wickman coming to the Braves when he almost died after ingesting 17 bratwursts when he got word of the trade to Atlanta? ”
Funniest post I’ve seen in a long time. I salute you sir.
Stop-n-Think
September 22nd, 2010
3:25 pm
Billy Ray
not all the athletes are that way. Charles Woodson does so much for the state of Michigan and the children’s ward at the University Hopsital. All at HIS expense. Over 2 million donated to date. Are you upset at the lifestyle and home they have???
Mr. T
September 22nd, 2010
3:26 pm
What about Niki Lauda? World driving champion (when “world” really means global competition). Horribly burned and nearly killed. Came back, world champion again. Retired. Came back and was champion a 3rd time.
Jimmie
September 22nd, 2010
3:27 pm
Billy Ray..Good job! You’re right everyone should be able to surpport who they want.But it seems that most of the people here hate Vick because of his COLOR.You don’t like him becuase he’s not a good QB Get out of the 60’s pocket QB don’t work.(Manning,Brady) exception if your QB doesn’t have mobilty he’s going to get killed.