Everyone deserves a second chance. I believe everyone deserves a second, third, fourth, fifth and however many chances, it may take to get it right. The “it” is life. We all mess up somewhere along the way. Some of us mess up more than others. Michael Vick spent 21 months in jail before being offered a second chance to quarter back for the Philadelphia Eagles. This week, Michael Vick received news of another second chance. He received his first endorsement deal, since returning to the NFL, from sports gear company, Unequal Technologies. The president, Rob Vito, stated he believes “that people can repent and deserve a second chance.”
Another person, “Golden Voice” Ted Williams, the homeless man and former radio announcer received a second chance at life too. Mr. Williams had been homeless for 17 years, living on the streets, drinking alcohol and using crack cocaine, by his own words. Instantly, his luck changed when someone taped him and his announcer’s voice on the street. Job offers came in and success seemed imminent. While Ted Williams still has his great announcer’s voice, he also still has his substance abuse demons. Dr. Phil offered him a fully paid inpatient rehab stint for his alcohol and drug dependency, use and/or abuse at a Texas facility. Dr. Phil saw that without curing these demons, life’s second chance for Ted Williams might not really materialize. Mr. Williams did go to rehab in Texas for 2 weeks but prematurely checked out this week. His mother pleads for his return.
I believe in second chances. And we all get second chances at doing something better than before. What we do with our second chances in life is up to us. One thing is for sure. We all need support and help from others with our second chances at life. What second chances have you messed up or used wisely?
Debbie Hines is a trial lawyer, legal and political commentator. She also writes for the Huffington Post. She frequently appears on air on NBC, CBS Washington, DC affiliates, the Michael Eric Dyson show and in the Washington Post, Black Enterprise, Wall Street Journal and other publications. She holds a Juris Doctorate degree from George Washington University Law School and a BA from the University of Pennsylvania.