When I first heard I didn’t believe it. As politically savvy as Rendell’s stunt, I thought:

In his column on Sports Illustrated’s website Monday, Peter King reports that Mr. Obama called Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie to thank the team for giving Vick a chance.

Obama was “passionate about it,” Mr. Lurie told Mr. King, adding that the president said “it’s never a level playing field for prisoners when they get out of jail. And he was happy that we did something on such a national stage that showed our faith in giving someone a second chance after such a major downfall.”

Confirmation:

HONOLULU — The White House says President Barack Obama has commended the owner of the Philadelphia Eagles for giving quarterback Michael Vick a second chance after his release from prison.

Obama spokesman Bill Burton says the president told owner Jeffrey Lurie that while he condemns the crimes Vick was convicted of, he believes people who have paid for their crimes should have the opportunity to contribute to society again.

Now I’m thinking it was brilliant move. Certainly less controversial than David Paterson’s racially charged commutation. (I’m inclined to support that one, too.)

Or maybe I’m just becoming an Obama fan-boy. What do you think?