Earlier today, former NFL star quarterback, Michael Vick was released from federal prison in Leavenworth after serving most of a 23 month sentence for his principal involvement in a dog fighting ring. The burning question now is, should NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell allow Vick to return to the game?

Were I counseling Mr. Goodell, I would urge him to send the following letter to Mr. Vick, today.

Dear Michael,

I am happy to learn that, earlier today, you completed a key step in your recovery from a tragic mistake in your life. All of us in the NFL are rooting for your continued progress on this journey.

Should you make an appeal at this time to have your suspension from the NFL lifted, thus permitting a return to active player status, I want you to know where I currently stand on the issue.

Michael, you are without question a talented player, and I believe at heart, a decent person. That said, I am not presently inclined to respond favorably to such a request, should it to be made. While it is true that you have “served your time” and have every right to earn a living, there are two key principles at work here:

1. You didn’t just break the law and commit a crime against the state. Your actions were also obviously and significantly detrimental to the League, the game, the hundreds of fellow players, coaches, and support staff who today make their living playing professional football, and all those who will take our places in the future. Your actions demonstrated careless disregard for the tenet that it is a privilege and not a right for us to play this game for a living. Further, in addition to the crime for which you were punished, you broke faith with your team owner, Mr. Blank, by misleading him, as you did me (I’m being charitable here), about your involvement in this activity.

2. While my current inclination may seem harsh, especially in light of lenience shown to other players who have run afoul of the law (and perhaps it is), I would hasten to point out that Michael Vick was not just another football player. During your time in the League, you were considered (and paid) as a “franchise player”, someone who in many respects was a key face of the franchise, and indeed the game. In other words, the bar is significantly higher in this case, a standard that, as a top level professional athlete, you are quite familiar with.

Michael, serving your time is but one step on the road to redemption. As I see it, full redemption in your case involves “making it right” for all those who have been injured as a result of your thoughtless actions. Though I cannot at this point anticipate a particular condition or set of conditions that would permit your return to the game, I’m willing to leave that in your hands should you choose to attempt a return to player status. In that event, should you (not your attorneys or agents) wish at some time to make a thoughtful proposal that fully remediates this situation, I promise you that the League will at least entertain it. Bear in mind, however, that the aforementioned bar will continue to be set high, for all of us.

Good luck and Godspeed.

A thought leader in the arena of leadership and employee engagement, Bill Catlette is a seminar leader, keynote speaker, and executive coach. He helps individuals and organizations improve business outcomes by having a focused, engaged, capably led workforce. For more information about Bill, his partner Richard Hadden, and their work, please visit their website at www.contentedcows.com