As we enter the 4th of July weekend I have been thinking a lot about what it means to be an American. I have been thinking about the history of the country and talking to my friends about what makes our country unique. And don’t hate on me too much… my background is in politics so we always have conversations like these.

It made me consider one of the main appeals of the United Football League and, to me, the strongest appeal is that the UFL represents – like America has throughout the history of this country – a chance for a new beginning.

For some that new beginning is actually a second chance.

The UFL offers players a chance at redemption, a second shot at their dream. A player, for example, like J.P. Losman who graduated with so much promise. Enough promise that he was a first round pick and considered a franchise caliber quarterback. For him, if he signs with the league, he has a chance for a new opportunity to show that he has certain natural abilities that may have been misused by the Buffalo Bills.

For others, like Michael Vick, the UFL offers them the opportunity to prove that despite their mistakes and flaws they are actually someone worth watching and pulling for. Comeback stories. Redemption stories. They are an essential part of what makes America great. The media builds people up, grows bored, then rips them apart. In some cases their wounds are self inflicted.

The important thing is that humans should be judged on both the good and the bad because, as Barack Obama mentioned in his biography, life is a constant struggle between the light and the dark. People like Vick may have tread into the dark side of their personality but they deserve an opportunity to prove that is not who they really are.

The UFL is about redemption – for those who failed on the football field and for those who failed in some arena more serious.

That, my friends, is an American story.

The UFL also offers players, coaches, and others a first chance. That is also what America is about. Our history is full of stories of immigrants who came here with nothing but the clothes on their back and with hard work and ingenuity managed to build something tangible.

Well, the UFL offers players who were overlooked but may have talent the opportunity to shine on a grander stage. Look past the $5,800 per game – a salary many Americans would gladly take – and realize that the true value of the league is in offering players the chance to play a game that they love in front of millions.

Not just players, but coaches.

Ted Cottrell memorably choked up at the press conference announcing his hiring. From day one he has been clear that the UFL is offering him a chance to realize his dream of being a head coach. He did all of the right things in the NFL. He played by the book… but he never got his chance. Then Norv Turner in his petty way decided to throw Cottrell to the lions den to cover up his own failures.

Now Cottrell has an opportunity to show that he deserved a chance all along.

Not just coaches, but executives.

Michael Huyghue is the first African-American commissioner of a serious sports venture in this country. That is a barrier that has been broken thanks to the United Football League. For those who say that doesn’t matter, I would encourage you to look at the ranks of CEOs of Fortune 500 companies. Count the minorities and the women. Then report back to me.

The United Football League could fail. No one is saying that it is a sure bet but it is trying. To paraphrase Theodore Roosevelt, the credit belongs to those actually in the arena and the fact that the UFL is trying at all is perhaps the most “American” quality of all.

Regardless of what happens moving forward the UFL is offering some a second chance and others a first shot. For those people this league means something and even if it fails it will always mean something.

Happy 4th of July weekend.