The Rev. Jesse Jackson became the latest public figure to offer an opinion on the future of Michael Vick. Jackson said he wondered whether there had been collusion among NFL owners to keep Vick out of the league. 'I want to make it an issue,' Jackson said Thursday in a telephone interview. 'I want teams to explain why they have a quarterback who has less skills but is playing or at least is on the taxi squad, and a guy with more skills can't get into training camp.' Two years ago this month, Vick pleaded guilty to felony charges related to his participation in an unlawful dogfighting ring and was indefinitely suspended from the NFL. Vick was sentenced to 23 months in federal prison in December 2007. He was conditionally reinstated to the league last month by Commissioner Roger Goodell. Under terms of the reinstatement, Vick can take part in preseason practices, workouts and meetings and may play in the final two preseason games -- if a team signs him. When the season begins, Vick may participate in all team activities except games. Goodell said he would consider Vick for full reinstatement by Week 6. 'Democracy does not guarantee success,' Jackson said. 'Democracy guarantees an opportunity. It's not fair to de facto try to lock him out of his right to compete. If he can't make the team, don't let him play. If he can, let him work.' Jackson, born in 1941, has been a civil rights activist for most of his adult life. He said that in some ways, Vick's attempt to re-enter the NFL was similar to Jackie Robinson's entering Major League Baseball. Although their situations were drastically different, Jackson said, the challenge was the same: Which owner would have the courage to make a controversial signing? Viewed from a 2009 prism, that comparison seems blasphemous. Robinson became an American icon because of his courage and perseverance. The only thing he did wrong -- in some eyes -- was to be born African-American. But in the era in which Robinson came of age, his admirable qualities mattered to Major League Baseball owners. A significant segment of the American population knew little to nothing about Robinson, and saw him as someone who threatened a way of life. Owners were not going to allow Robinson or any other African-American to play major league baseball, regardless of how much character and fortitude he possessed. Many fair-minded baseball owners had the same concerns about Robinson that fair-minded NFL owners today have about Vick: What will critics say? How will the public respond? Finally one organization, the Dodgers, and one man, Branch Rickey, were bold and pragmatic enough to weigh the risks and take the leap of signing Robinson. Vick, unlike Robinson in 1947, has a proven track record. Vick has performed at a star level in the NFL. Robinson performed briefly in the Negro Leagues before joining the Dodgers. The question is: How severely have Vick's skills eroded? You would think that one owner, one team would at least be curious; training camps have been open for only a week. 'If the guy has paid his dues to the criminal justice system, paid his debt to the NFL and shows remorse, what else does he need to do?' Jackson asked. For many, the nonnegotiable issue in the Vick case is cruelty to animals. But let's climb off our high horses. We know many fans hunt. They track down innocent animals, blast them with shotguns, shoot them out of the sky with rifles -- for sport. Some take off animals' heads and mount them as trophies. Perfectly legal. But the issue here is that Vick served his time in prison for breaking the law. The issue is degrees of cruelty. Who is worse: someone who tortures in the name of sport and then apologizes, or the one who kills in the name of sport and continues to hunt? Vick was cruel and was punished. Now he has promised to be compassionate. Jackson pointed out that Vick had satisfied the demands of the legal system. Now, like thousands of young men who are released from prison each year, Vick is eager to become a productive citizen. So far, he has been unable to find a job and his options are limited. The Canadian Football League will not consider Vick or any player under full or partial suspension by the NFL. 'One of the big issues of re-entry is that when people come out, can they get gainful employment?' Jackson said. Vick is fortunate. As a quarterback, he has skills that are highly valued. 'He has a right to compete,' Jackson said. 'If he doesn't make the team, then he can't play. If he can, let him work.' So far, everyone has said no. Someone should have the guts to say yes. 