No, you can't change the past.

But has the Steelers' signing of Michael Vick forever altered how the franchise will be viewed in the future?

More than a few people are upset with the Steelers' choice of back-up quarterback to replace the injured Bruce Gradkowski.

The phone lines have lit up at the Steeler offices as well as on area radio sports talk shows and protestors have shown up outside of the team's practice facility.

Vick served his jail time six years ago for his role in a dog-fighting ring.

He's played for two other NFL teams — Philadelphia and the New York Jets — since.

He even threw a pair of touchdown passes while engineering the Jets' upset of the Steelers last season.

Still, not many fans ever figured Vick would be wearing a Steeler uniform at any point.

While it's understandable why some folks find it difficult to look past Vick's crimes, it's a little hard to understand why they've been able to look past the misdeeds of others.

No, Ben Roethlisberger was never actually charged with rape down in Georgia.

He wasn't exactly an angel down there, either.

James Harrison had a domestic violence issue.

Le'Veon Bell was smoking pot while driving a vehicle.

All three of these guys are revered and strongly supported as Steeler stars.

Vick is no more than a No. 2 quarterback in Pittsburgh.

The only way he'll make any significant contribution to the Steelers is of Roethlisberger goes down with an injury.

Of course, that's why he's here.

If Roethlisberger was to be sidelined for a number of games — if not the season — with an injury, Steeler fans would consider the season a lost cause. But the Steeler brass doesn't feel the same way.

If they did, Landry Jones would be the No. 2 quarterback. After all, if Ben goes down, the season's over anyway, right?

Not in their eyes.

The Steelers believed Byron Leftwich and Charlie Batch could win them games.

That's why they were here.

They believed Gradkowski could win them games as well. That's why he was here.

And they believe Vick can win them games.

If he gets the chance to do so and comes through, the man will be cheered.

If that opportunity comes and he fails, the man will be vilified.

Never mind that Vick has turned his attitude around about defenseless animals — he has become an advocate against animal cruelty and has done work supporting animal rights.

A few interceptions and overthrown passes, no one will care. He will still be that evil guy.

A few touchdown passes and a few wins under his belt while keeping the Steelers in playoff contention, and everyone will sing the praises of Michael Vick and how he's turned his life around.

It's all about winning, folks.

Right or wrong.

John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle