Obama praises NFL's Eagles for giving Vick second chance

President Obama has reportedly called the owner of pro football's Philadelphia Eagles to congratulate him for giving convicted quarterback Michael Vick a second chance. 

Vick pleaded guilty in 2007 to bankrolling a dog-fighting ring at a house he owned in his home state of Virginia. The former Atlanta Falcons Pro Bowler was docked with an indefinite suspension from the National Football League (NFL) and served a 19 months in federal prison two months in a halfway house.

Sports Illustrated NFL reporter Peter King tweeted late Sunday: 

Yes, Obama called Eagle owner Jeffrey Lurie to praise the Eagles for giving Vick a chance. Said too many prisoners never get fair 2d chance.

Vick's suspension was lifted after the third game the 2009 season, when he signed with the Eagles as a backup to veteran signal caller Donovan McNabb.

After the Eagles traded McNabb in the offseason, Vick was given a chance to start and has since returned to his All-Pro ways, throwing for one of the highest quarterback ratings in the league. Vick is now a candidate for the league's Most Valuable Player award.

But some have still been critical of Vick, including animal-rights groups that believe the former dog-fighting organizer should not yet be forgiven.