NFL players have often found it difficult to bounce back into the league following legal issues, especially when those issues have seen an individual spend time in prison.Yet, that hasn’t been the case for all, as a number of players have served their time, paid their debt to society, and then been welcomed back into the league with open arms.Michael Vick is certainly the highest-profile NFL player to spend time in jail and return to the sport’s top league, but he is, by no means, the only one.It’s unfortunate that we see these legal issues continuing, most recently in the case of Deshaun Watson, although, from quite early on, it was clear he wouldn’t be serving any jail time.The league has an unfortunate reputation of enabling criminal behavior among its players, albeit to a very minor level for the most part.Roger Goodell wants the NFL to shake off this image, but can it really be done if convicted players get second chances? Which 5 NFL players returned to football after a spell in jail?#1 – Plaxico BurressNFL teams gave Plaxico Burress a chance to rebuild his career after prisonNFL fans recoiled in bemusement when the details of Plaxico Burress’ off-field behaviors came to light.In an incident that barely seemed believable at the time, with that feeling having not dimmed at all in subsequent years, the New York Giants player accidentally shot himself inside a nightclub.The bullet went into his thigh, and Burress was later jailed on charges of violating New York gun laws.Burress served 20 months in prison before being released in 2011.Almost immediately upon his release, the NFL gave him a second chance as the New York Jets signed him to a one-year deal worth $3 million.He would play for a further three seasons in the league, albeit not making an appearance in his final year in Pittsburgh.#2 – Michael VickNFL teams were split on whether the Philadelphia Eagles should have given Michael Vick a path to returnNFL players rarely have it as good as Michael Vick did after being drafted by the Atlanta Falcons.Vick was the premier star at the quarterback position with his exciting, athletic style of play earning him plaudits both on and off the field.Not only was he a regular MVP candidate, but he was also the poster boy for the Madden NFL video game franchise, with fans now remembering how his 2004 edition dominated the virtual gridiron.Ben Stinar@BenStinarPrime Mike Vick without prison … ohhh what coulda been66921259Prime Mike Vick without prison … ohhh what coulda been https://t.co/TB4p2o2pI3So it was natural for the watching world to be appalled when Vick was sent to jail on dog-fighting charges.In 2007, he was investigated for his role in the mistreatment and subsequent fighting of dogs in the Atlanta area. Vick then spent 21 months in a federal prison before being released back into society.While the Falcons had given up on the quarterback, he was traded to Philadelphia where he would rebuild his reputation with the Eagles, forming a supreme partnership with Andy Reid.He had seven further seasons in the NFL after prison and earned a staggering $53 million from the Eagles.