It appears that Michael Vick has nine lives after all. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell recently told the player that he will not face disciplinary charges after someone was shot at his birthday party last month.

"Commissioner Goodell informed Michael Vick there will be no disciplinary action as a result of the incident in Virginia, based on his current understanding of the facts. Commissioner Goodell spoke several weeks ago by phone with Michael, Tony Dungy, and Eagles coach Andy Reid. All were in agreement on the need for additional support measures to be added to Michael's plan to enhance his opportunity to succeed in life and football. These additional steps will remain confidential, but they will require Michael to meet even higher standards."

The shooting took place in June at a nightclub in Virginia Beach where Vick was holding his 30th birthday party. Vick's attorney identified Quanis Phillips, one of the co-defendants in the player's dogfighting trial, as the shooter. What's most interesting is that Phillips will not face charges because witnesses and the victim would not cooperate with police.

"He understands the responsibility he has and the position he's in, and he has to make good decisions," Goodell said. "I want him to understand that he's in a different position than others and because of that he has to protect himself differently, and he recognizes that, I think, and hopefully he's going to make good decisions moving forward."

Vick is incredibly fortunate that this situation didn't blow up in his face. The league is likely becoming impatient with him and the fact that trouble seems to follow him wherever he goes. His talented brother Marcus had many of the same problems, implying that there is either an issue with arrogance between the brothers, or simply an elevated capacity to make bad decisions.

As Vick enters his thirties, he is now forced to face his own football mortality. He probably has five to seven years left of NFL riches, and if he doesn't find his vision soon, he may end up in the poor house like many other former athletes. It was a bad decision for him to hold this party in the first place, and an even worse decision to continue to affiliate with those he went to prison with a few years ago. I hope he chooses to pull himself together, this might be his last chance.

Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and the Athlete Liberation and Academic Reform Movement (ALARM). To have Dr. Boyce's commentary delivered to your e-mail, please click here.