Sports’ 5 most remarkable comebacks (and Vick makes list)

I’d put Williams Number One on the list.

Firstly, no athlete would ever do such a thing ever again, especially after Pat Tillman.

Secondly, this is criminally underreported, but Williams was an even better pilot than he was a ballplayer. One of the most decorated pilots in Marine Corps history, Ted Williams shot down more enemy fighters than ANYONE in Marine Corps history during his service in WWII and Korea.

Ted Williams is an American Hero, deserving of the top spot on this list. And not deserving sharing any kind of space with a sociopathic dog killer (or the unfortunate way his wayward son decided to desecrate his remains).

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[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]

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Actually, Ted Williams never achieved the rank of ace (five kills in air-to-air combat). In fact, in World War II, he trained Marine Corps pilots and
However, for the Korean War, he was pressed back into duty (and begrudgingly so) and saw active combat in the skies over the Korean peninsula. His wingman? John Glenn.
The leading Marine Corps ace, for years, was Gregory “Pappy” Boyington, who inspired the TV show “Black Sheep Squadron” with Robert Conrad.
But Williams did contract malaria while in service and it took him years to recover, not to mention the fractured elbow he incurred when back with the Red Sox.
Vick’s image certainly has been restored. But his capabilities as a player never slipped away as was feared with the others. Who knew what Ali would do after three years of rust, or Lemieux after cancer?
How about Jim Eisenreich’s comeback from Tourette’s? A top prospect whose career was derailed and returned to be a solid major leaguer? Or reigning Cy Young Zack Greinke, who almost quit over his anxiety disorder?
I’d rate them ahead of Vick. Vick, by all appearances, has seen the errors of his ways and has been a good teammate (he said all the right things after Kolb was initially handed the starting job again).

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When I was a kid growing up my dog was a beagle. Beagles are wonderful friendly dogs. Remember Ono, who won the Westminister Dog Show a few years ago. When Mike Vick’s fighting dog training facility in Virginia was raided a number of beagles were recovered. Because beagles are very gentle dogs they are used by dog fighters to “blood” their fighting dogs. What Mike Vick did was despicible.

However, he was tried, convicted, and served his time. The NFL choose to reinstate him and the Eagles choose to sign him. They got more then they bargined for. Mike Vick, by all accounts, has changed his ways. Too bad for the Falcons and Atlanta he wasn’t this Mike Vick when he was here. Te Eagles have named him their starting quarterback. If Mike Vick plays like he has the past game and a half he will keep the job over the Eagle’s high draft choice anointed starter. In some ways I still despise Mike Vick, but he has earned his second chance. I wish him well and hope he suceeds with the Eagles. Except against the Falcons, of course.;

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FWIW, Boyington had 26 “kills”, same as Eddie Rickenbacker, leading American ace of World War I.
The all-time American ace is Richard Bong, who shot down 40 Japanese planes in the Pacific Theater in World War II. Killed in a training crash in 1945 before the end of the war.

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Like someone else mentioned, I’m not sure Michael Vick has done what the other four on the list did. Time will tell, though.

I agree with you about Tiger Woods comparing himself to Ben Hogan. That was pretty pathetic.

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Of course there are going to be people who miss the point of this article and assume that Schultz is saying what Vick did is as great as what those other guys did. But if you look at what the article is actually trying to say — that Vick’s comeback was as improbable and unexpected as those other guys — then the article makes a valid point.

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If there were a “lifetime achievement Atlanta Falcons comeback/ironman award”, it ought to go to Brian Finneran. The guy had practically no chance of making the team in the first place. And the chances of him still being here?

Finn had already been cut from the practice squad/offseason roster of two other NFL teams after going undrafted.

Where was he? Barcelona Dragons in Europe when the 3-10 (Taylor Smith owned) Falcons inked him to a practice squad offer.

What odds would bookies have given someone in December 1999 on only ONE (1) Falcons player from the 1999 team being on the roster in Sept 2010…….and that player being [then] practice-squad member Brian Finneran?

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I agree with you on all counts except Vick, but not necessarily for the reasons that most will say. I would have to see a lot more of his new body of work to rank him as high as with the other four in the top. Yes, he did miss excessive amounts of time because of his own poor mistakes. However, if you notice your own comments, the others were able to win championships of all sorts when they came back. As a historian, he must be the leader of a team that wins multiple Super Bowls (and also do an Herculean amount of charity work) to be listed that high.

I would also point out to the people out in la-la land that you intended the first comeback for Jordan after he played baseball, not his ill-fated decision to play for the Wizards. Ug. I wonder if he still has nightmares about those teams…

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Really should be a Top 10 list…
Pre dates all of us now…
Grover Cleveland Alexander… Hall of Fame Pitcher (188 wins in 6 seasons including 3 straight 30 plus win seasons) when he was drafted into WWI army and suffered from shell shock (PTSD) and hit the bottle to the point that he was having seizures and became a full blown alcoholic! Was still being a functioning black out drunk, “Alexander the Great” would go on to post 209 more wins including 27 wins in 1920. Seven years later later at age 40, he won 21 games (pitching 22 complete games). There is more to the story especially his amazing feat of shutting down the Yankees “Murders Row” lineup in the 1926 World Series while in the midst of a drunken state.

And on another note… BugKiller, BugKiller, BugKiller… (Enough said already, it is just sad!)

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And hopefully one day you’ll do a list with non-traditional sports (in the American view)…
Abebe Bikila’s feat of winning his 2nd Olympic marathon gold in Tokyo 36 days after having a emergency appendectomy (major surgery at that time). He went as far as jogging around the hospital courtyard with an IV bottle hanging on a stand as he trained.

In the greatest feat, Joan Benoit-Samuelson victory in the first Olympic womens marathon. 3 years earlier she had shredded her Achilles tendon (at a time when the injury could be career ending). Less than 2 years later, she ran a course 2:22 marathon victory at Boston (a record that stood for 11 years). Then 17 days before the 1984 Olympic trials Joan tore a tendon in her knee. She had arthroscopic surgery (in its infancy) and went to win the race. She then went on to win the Olympics leading from wire-to-wire in oppressive heat and smog. Amazing!

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A RASCIST AND A DOG TORTURER…..
GOTTA LOVE SPORTS COVERING PERSONNEL ISSUES….

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Despite the need to mass-produce blogs to satisfy the Web-crazed, sports-crazed public, isn’t it still premature to call this an all-time great comeback? One and a half games don’t even really equal a comeback yet, much less the 4th best all-time.

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“If there were a “lifetime achievement Atlanta Falcons comeback/ironman award”, it ought to go to Brian Finneran. The guy had practically no chance of making the team in the first place. And the chances of him still being here? ”

Not to mention, he’s hands down the best wide receiver Michael Vick ever had.

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@ Najeh…
Thanks…
And that as you pointed out many a times, that Finneran was his best is the true indictment of the Falcons. Finn is like the best he had, along with Crumpler. It is like the fool who buys a Ferrari and then goes and gets his tires from Lee’s Used Tires and your oil change from Jiffy Lube… You are asking for your investment to get to tore up! And the Reeves and Mora era was just that, tore up!

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EW! EW, Mr. KOTTER!!! I got one!!! How about Jim Mora coming to the NFL broadcast booth AND TOTALLY SUCKING at it (complete with lame self-references too numerous to count) after getting fired by both the Falcons and the Seahawks for TOTALLY SUCKING as a head coach? I mean, the guy completely and totally sucked in both endeavors. It was an impressive display of suckage. His middle name should be Hoover.

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[...] more: Sports' 5 most remarkable comebacks (and Vick makes list) – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) Tagged as: 304-news, answer, atlanta-journal, bringin, find-out, george-foreman, list-included, [...]

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Vick is the answer….or is he?

http://thesportsdebates.com/2010/09/21/the-kevin-kolb-career-debate%E2%80%A6-common-sense-or-kevin-kolb/

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Talk about a comeback fighter..Wait til I kick some Tea Party butt in November! Don’t worry folks..My new job program will have y’all back to work in January! There’s enough pinestraw raking the Georgia forests to keep all y’all busy and happy!

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`
” We ain’t got no quarrel against no Cassius Clay.”

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Don’t know about this being one of the greatest comeback story; but it is defintely the second chance we all hope for in life. Vick is the best option in Philly. I just hope he relishes this opportunity more than what did here with the Falcon’s.

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I wish Vick all the best, but I think it is a little quick to put him on a top 5 all time comeback list. He missed two seasons, but didn’t have to deal with coming back from a major injury or disease, so I don’t find it that suprising that his skill level is still there. Hard to believe Lance Armstrong doesn’t make this list…. or even consideration. Did you forget? Not think he is worthy? If the doping allegations bother you then I would say the same for Torres.

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Vick’s comeback was about as improbable as Corey Dillon’s was on the Patriots.

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I keep remembering, before Vick went to prison, saying, “I will redeem myself. I have to.”

I think he has.

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Being a patriot, I would put Hogan and Williams on top, for their voluntary service to their country. Ali basically spit in the face of his country.

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You forgot two other great role models….oj and tiger. Pretty funny.

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My two favorite teams each week: The Falcons and whoever is playing the Eagles. I hope someone breaks mikey vick in two before the season ends and some low morale owner (Lurie) throws rediculous dollars at him.

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Schultz, this is the worst article you have ever written. In the midst of all the great college and football stories going on that you could discuss, you come up with this? Really? Go back to the keyboard and try thinking before you type this time.

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Glad Vick has turned his life around. Having said that, no way he belongs on this list. Not even close.

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Including Vick on this list makes as much sense as giving Obama the Nobel peace price.

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Very premature to call Vick’s comeback one of the greatest of all time. If he remains the starter the rest of the season and guides the Eagles to the playoffs then I will agree with you. If he plays decent but not great and the Eagles miss the playoffs then I don’t agree. By the way, it’s unbelievable what Williams did. Fought for his country in two wars and still remained the best hitter of all time?!? Just think what his numbers would be if he had not gone off to war.

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Okay im on it. MIKE VICK>MATT RYAN

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Vick is still in the process of a comeback so I don’t really think he belongs on this list yet. Putting his name on here sparks interest so I get it but he has started one game to this point. He could end up being a great comeback story but there are still many chapters to write. I’m pulling for him but I don’t think he should have been on this list. I think Betty White’s comeback has been more impressive to this point.

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Got to get the hits on this blog.

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The gutsiest thing I ever saw was Dave Dravecky come back and pitch after his cancer. His arm literally broke off on the mound.

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I always laugh when folks still stuck in the Vietnam “Merle Haggard” era go all bunkers about “draft dodging. These same people who pray at the altar of a bunch of the biggest draft dodgers in the history… Ali did not dodge the draft, a draft dodger runs from the consequences. He reported to the Draft board. He placed a Conscientious objection. The NY Boxing Commission were the ones who overstepped their mandate. It was stupid then, and it is stupid now. The Supreme Court of NY said just that…
Here’s a list of all those great, flag lapel wearing, Freedom Fry eating Americans who so eagerly volunteered or came forward when their name was called to serve their country and fight in the trenches.. Oops and the name of those who didn’t too…
http://www.electoral-vote.com/evp2010/Info/military-service.html
Take that garbage over to Wooten where it belongs!

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I love this one Jeff! Really a good one!

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How do you put Ali at number 1. He simply was stripped of his title and won it back. Yes he was great but didn’t overcome much adversity in that one. Jordan who didnt make the list retired and then came back to win 3 straight world titles.

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I would rank Vick last, no how many people you put on that list. He is not news in this town!!!

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I can’t believe you’d have a list of comeback athletes that didn’t include Lance Armstrong…beating cancer………yet still winning one of the most strenuous competitions in the world…..not just once, but several times…..

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OCT 17 will tell the tale, i’ll take RYAN anyday of the week!!!!!!!

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You can’t compare a comeback after serving in war or overcoming an illness to coming back from a getting caught in crime. His life is filled with slime in every area and he is praised? He would still be doing that except he was caught. His financial dealings were also filled with deception and sleeze.

Vick should not be held up in anyway. Ali should not as well. I love Ali, but he refused to serve his country.

Can’t you Mark, find better example of “Great Comebacks”?

Perhaps we could praise Bill Clinton for morals?

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Weak……

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@ Dap01…
Clinton helped raise a hell of daughter…

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a couple of profeesional cyclists should make the list…Greg Lemond after being shot in a hunting accident, came back to win 2 more Tours…and of course Armstong after the cancer that almost killed him. i love Ali, but he simply had a hiatus…I certainly don’t think it was one of the great comebacks.

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Jeff,

C’MON MAN!

Please dont put Michael Vick in the same category as Ted Williams. Williams risked his life in two wars to keep this country and the world free. Vick is dog murdering thug and criminal. How can you compare these two men?

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I just wish I had 1/10th of the greatness of Ted Williams.

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It makes me sick to see Ted Williams and Michael Vick mentioned in the same Top 5 List.
Ted Williams was an abusive boozer and by most accounts a complete a*hole.
Mike Vick was consistently the best buck I ever spent on entertainment in ATL, and if all he did was electrocute some useless pits, then big deal. Most exciting ATL athlete of all time.
And I’m still waiting for Pat Tillman’s big comeback. What an idiot.

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See if Vick comes back from the coma he’ll be knocked into this season.

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I do believe he deserved what he got. But he has served his time.

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His stats are better than ryans.

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@ PMC…
The Ted Williams talk made me go back into my Grandmothers’ stuff (she was avid scorecard keeper and journaled about Baseball in Boston (Braves and Red Sox) until she turned 92 back in 1975. Back when Williams returned from Korea, that Spring Training he broke his his collarbone! Gp figure huh! He didn’t return until 5 weeks in to the season… He had 8 hits in double header on May 16th. But she also made notes about Teds’ bitter relationship with a vocal segment of Red Sox fans and the media… All hell broke loose when Williams physically spit on fans behind the Red Sox dugout after they heckled him on August 7, 1956. he spit fans 3 times in a 3 week period. The Sox fine the 18 year veteran $5,000 (his salary was $150, 000). The Mass. legislature passed a law regarding fan profanity as a result of the incidents. In July 1958, he fined $250 after another incident where he spits on heckling fans.
So, I don’t say these to hurt Williams reputation, but there are so many in this area who just don’t get it. They are failed men and women and we ask others to treat us better sometimes then we may actually deserve! A lot of his behavior towards and theirs toward him sounds eerily familiar to Atlanta.

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hahahahahaha,lofl…, “vick will never get out of prison, he will be killed in prison, he will be punk’d in prison, he will never play in the nfl again, no team will ever sign him, he will never get another nfl contract, i will never watch him play again, i will never watch another game if a nfl team signs him, etc, etc. he may, or may not not belong on sgt. schultz’s list, but the comments are hilarious. the same atmosphere from 2 years ago. i love it. hahahahahahahaha

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Are we back to 2 Vick articles a day now? Get over it, AJC.

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@larry and confederate dawg,
The only people that would or could make a remark like that about black professional athelets are the ones that totured our ansestors. They didn’t ask to be brought here, they were taken by force. To confedirate dawg, your problem is that you still believe that blacks are still less valuable than animals anytime you can say DAHMER victims were CREEPS; No Sir, they were(BLACK) human beings. And larry, as for Ali, he was fighting a war (RACE) right here against (….) america already, and for as the money goes, he was smart because they wouldn’t have paid him near as much to fight the war they wanted him to fight. As todays knowledge teaches us, We MUST!! choose our battles, and not let someone else choose them for us! To both of you, this world is still dictated by white america and probably will be until Jesus comes back. That’s the only thing we as a black race can truely count on being Honest and True! My prayer is that you find Jesus Christ and repent for your harden hearts.

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I watched he against Green Bay and some against the Lions and have to admit, he is looking sharp. Not a Vick fan, but he has paid for his crime and deserves to be treated as such. I wish him well, except against us of course.

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Michael Vick is not a great come back man, he is a dog killer.

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Looks like MV7 is still paying the bills at the AJC…where are the Matt Ryan articles???

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SAD…….AJC might be waiting for Ryan to make some of the idiotic, dumbbutt, lifestyle choices, like Vick made.

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I did hear a rumor that Ryan may, or may not be, involve in an underground hamster fighting organization up in Pa.

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I have no feelings either way on Mike Vick. I do have feelings with the way he stole the Falcons money the last two years he was here, but he paid his debt and should be given the chance. Although I am very curious to see MV against competitive teams. Coming into a game behind by 3 touchdowns where the defense may not be playing like being up by 3 or 7, and a game against the Lions, who are one of the worst teams in the NFL may not qualify as a comeback, as of yet. I don’t really know how much the Jacksonville team will give against him either. But, he is doing well, MUCH better passing than he EVER did with the Falcons.
I do find it funny that those on here that DOG Matt Ryan and LOVE Mike Vick do not have a clue on stats considering:
2010 stats
Vick has completed 63.8 % of passes for 3 TD’s and 459 yards.
Ryan has completed 63.2% of passes for 3 TD’s and 477 yards and against one of the toughest defenses in the league in Pittsburgh.
So yes, the comeback is good for now for a 10 year QB, but let’s see how he does against stronger opponents. I still cannot get over the complete fear in Vick’s eyes that Sunday night against Chicago in 2006 where he acted like he didn’t want to be there. Let’s see him a couple of times against Dallas,etc..and see where he is.

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Say what

No his stats AREN’T better than Ryans. Let me repeat….
Vick has completed 63.8 % of passes for 3 TD’s and 459 yards.
Ryan has completed 63.2% of passes for 3 TD’s and 477 yards and against one of the toughest defenses in the league in Pittsburgh. Not against the Lions.

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Was Kolb really that good in the first place?? I don’t recall hearing any comments about his play during training camp. All I heard from Andy Reid and the media was how Mike Vick was looking like his old self. If Kolb was the “franchise QB” why did he only get a ONE year extension?? Most “franchise QBs” get long-term contracts. For those of you who love to play the “race card”…did Kolb get crowned the “franchise QB” because he’s white?? How many games did he WIN last year? Whether you like him or not, this fact STILL remains… Mike Vick is a 3 time probowler(should be 4)! The falcons SUCKED when he was here and he STILL carried them on his back to the NFC Championship!! There was a waiting list of THOUSANDS for season tickets from 2002 – 2006…now all I see is red seats everytime I watch the falcons play! Put your $$ where your mouth is and support your team!!

Lastly, the teabaggers that continue to bash and talk about their love for pitbulls every time there’s a MV blog, aren’t REAL sports fans…you are HATERS!! You hated this man before the dogfighting, so who cares what you think!! lol

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http://pricezack.wordpress.com/2010/09/21/will-georgias-woes-continue/

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Tee,

As a season ticket holder for over 20 years, let me make sure you know, in 2005 and 2006 the Dome was lucky to have 60% in the seats. Although at the time the seats weren’t red and black. The attendance was dropping like a sack of rocks in his last couple of years. People got tired of the show.
I really do hope Vick does well. I have nothing against him. He is no worse than that piece of trash in Pittsburgh, actually Big Ben should be banned. But when Vick joined the Falcons they were only 2 years removed from the Super Bowl, so please don’t say he didn’t have anything to work with. If he had dedicated himself to being a better passer, no telling what the team could have been. One win in Green Bay does not make him legion. If so Chris Chandler is KING considering his 1998 playoff wins against SF and Minnesota.

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Ted Williams did not serve in combat in WWII but was mainly a flight instructor. He served in combat in Korea and crash landed after his wheels malfunctioned or were damaged by gunfire. According to another Marine pilot, Williams had the highest score on the vision test ever reported in the USMC. Williams was one of many baseball players to serve in WWII. Warren Spahn was in the Battle of the Bulge. Bob Feller was in the Pacific, Hank Bauer had a Purple Heart and Silver Star. Ralph Hauck was a decorated Army Major. I believe Willie Mays lost a year to the Army during Korea. It is extremely rare for a professional athlete to serve at all today. Williams and Ali certainly are at the top of my list. I won’t question Vick’s talent, but how many athletes on Jeff’s list served hard time in prison? To my knowledge the other four were upstanding citizens. I would put an * next to Vick’s name.

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Dear Me,

Your comment about knuckle draggers and folks living in trialers is almost as stereotypical as people calling a guy who ran a dog fighting ring and went to prison for 2 years a thug.

Dress it up anyway you like, call folks hillbilles or rednecks or inbreders if you like, bottom line is Vick committed a crime, thus making him FOREVER a criminal. Not just in the jury of public opinion, but also in the eys of the legal system.

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G,Let’s say they were dumb enough to do the same crime.Do you thing they would be getting the same treatment??

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NoIssue,

I was a season ticket holder during that time 2005 – 2006 and you are full of crap!! I guess his “ONE WIN IN GREEN BAY” got him voted to 3 probowls?? Now explain to everyone how probowls really don’t matter?? Spare me your comments about Big Ben…I’m sure you are more upset about the pitbulls than you are a rapist!

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Hey Billy Ray,

That “criminal” will be making at least $5 million this year….how much you making buddy? Is that why your panties are all up your hinnie?

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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John,
would you own a poodle?
I fail to see the logic in a persons choice of dog.

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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..

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Vick shouldn’t even be playing. NFL should have closed the door on his career. No guts. It’s all about the money.

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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?

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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…….

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Bill Ray, come off your high horse dude

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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.

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@ Billy Ray

I don’t think athletes walk around with that attitude

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Favre NEVER retired!!!

CHILD PLEASE!!!!!!! Sorry, couldn’t resist

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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.

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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?

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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?

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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

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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?

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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.

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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.

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kudos Falcons1987

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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???

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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.

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If we’re just gonna throw out names…..can i suggest John Daly (golfer)

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billy ray,

you may have missed a key word in my post. that key word being “some”. i suppose the hit dog barks the loudest, right? …and you cannot convince me for a split second that a lot of the people ragging on vick for what he did are not hypocrites.

i’m not saying people should like vick or forgive him, everyone is entitled to their own opinions. i just find it interesting how people continue to spew hate while turning a blind eye to their hypocritical lifestyles and giving others a pass for much worse offenses….whether they were convicted of those offenses or not.

the truth is that many people still hope, pray, and wish for vick to be a failure for the rest of his life like second chances shouldn’t exist. SOME of these people are the same ones that go hunting/fishing on the weekend and wear the fur hats/coats in the winter. SOME of these people are the same christian folk that go to church every sunday and nod their heads in agreement when the preacher talks about redemption and forgiveness, only to apply those tenets selectively.

that said, i agree with js that vick’s return to top form has been most remarkable.

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Great Post BzB!!!!!!!!1

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jeff, dude, I like your work. usually. Ali was a great fighter and showman. BUT, a draft dodger. And you put him ahead of Teddy Ballgame???
No No No No NO! Methinks Ted breaks Ruth’s record and sets others if he doesn’t miss those years. Cassius Clay shoulda never been allowed back in the ring, under any name or circumstances.
Vick served his time, and kudos to him for whatever he is able to accomplish now.

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Kool$kat..You must be some jack%$#@ from the 40’s Cassius Clay, the great man’s name is Muhammad Ali Have you ever been in a fight? Try not fighting for 4ys and then coming back to beat the best that the sport hads to offer.Ted Williams was able to take batting practice when he wasn’t flying.

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Sigh…Vick does not play in Atlanta anymore….give it a rest. Ryan and the Falcons played a great game last weekend. Why can’t we build off of that momentum into the next game?

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BET, wonder if the animals he tortured and killed agree that Vick has paid his dues? Hmmmm. Vick will throw three interceptions next week against real competition and you supports will go back in your holes without a peep. The move to a mobile qb is dead, look at today’s successful qbs and trends in drafting. The Falcon WRs were constantly criticized until a real QB came to town.

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Only if you join me Jimmie, you sweet pile of lard.

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[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by AJC , Jessie Payton, Kate Fullcot, Jo Pastner, Football and others. Football said: Sports' 5 most remarkable comebacks (and Vick makes list): You'll notice I'm not including athletes who come back … http://bit.ly/9Z08X2 [...]

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Vick could care less what everybody think of him now. He’s a starter and that what count. i don’t know why everyone so mad ,because he TOOK the starting job from Kolbs.

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I don’t know if anyone has mentioned this but I believe Ben Hogan’s wife Valerie was in the passenger seat at the time of the crash, and that Mr. Hogan lunged over his wife’s body to protect her as the crash occurred. It really is a beautiful story. It is very ironic that Tiger tried to compare his comeback to Mr. Hogan’s because Mr. Hogan tried to protect his wife in the crash, while Tiger hurt his wife and family by committing adultery. Of course there are all the majors Mr. Hogan won after the crash. What an insult to Mr. Hogan for Tiger to compare his comeback to that.

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