For as long as I can remember, this country has always been looked at as “the land of second chances.” No matter what hole you dig yourself into, you are completely able to work your way out and move forward. But recently, it seems as if the sports world has a hard time letting things go.

The platform change website Change.org recently released a petition calling for New York Jets quarterback Michael Vick to be banned from the team’s training camp in Courtland, New York. The petition needs 5,0000 signatures to come under consideration. According to change.org, as of April 11, the petition has 17,500 signatures.

The website released this statement:.”I love SUNY Cortland, and cannot abide welcoming this sociopath onto our campus with open arms. We need to stand by what is right as a university by barring him from the grounds. I don’t want him anywhere near my beloved college or community. We MUST send the message that we won’t be party to the torture of animals by conveniently forgetting what he has done. If we welcome Vick onto our campus, we are complicit in his crimes.”

For the record, change.org is fully able and has the right to this petition. But is this truly necessary? Had Vick not done any jail time, I would completely understand the outrage concerning him. But considering he spent 19 months in a Virginia prison, the physical debt is paid. People are free to have their own opinions on what should be done with Michael Vick, whether their scenarios are real or imaginary. But to still put the energy into blocking this man from making a living is completely wrong.

While it is completely fine to not forgive Vick for the abuse of dogs and hold your own vendetta against him, as people living in “the land of second chances, it is time for us to move forward. If you are rooting against him, then boo as loudly as you possibly can. But to keep this man from making a living for himself and his family goes against what this country stands for and is merely wasted energy.