Former Atlanta Falcons’ quarterback Michael Vick has experience with regretting his actions.
It’s no secret that in 2007, Vick was sentenced to 23 months in prison for running a dogfighting operation.
A decade after serving his time, apologies and public lifestyle changes, Vick spoke to NJ Advance Media about the mistakes of former Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon prior to the NFL Draft.
Mixon, who was charged with misdemeanor assault in October 2014, fell to the No. 48 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft and was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals after the assault became public knowledge in February.
"Joe's young, man, and he made a mistake," Vick said according to NJ Advance Media. "Let's be honest, you rarely see guys having encounters like that. It should never happen. I would never condone it. I don't think it's right at all.
"But in terms of his football career, if he could go back and think about it before he actually made that gesture toward that girl, he wouldn't have done it. Not if he knew what he would be dealing with now...I think he has learned from it. Hopefully, he's humbled by what happened to him."
Some NFL teams, like the Falcons, said they took Mixon off their Draft boards because of the assault.
Vick told NJ Advance Media he hoped Mixon could be an example to children that mistakes can cost their future.
"Kids can use this as an example," Vick said. "Joe got an opportunity because he's an exceptional talent. Others don't get that opportunity."
Vick played for the Falcons from 2001-2006 before serving his sentence. In 2009, Vick re-entered the League, spending five seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles and one season with both the New York Jets and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
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