Vick goes to Philly Eagles

[holejack1]

Hey, I love NFL football, but so many of these guys are despicable human beings because they were raised in despicable conditions. When teams take on new players they give no consideration of where they come from socially, throw obscene amounts of money at them, and then when they don’t act like decent people we’re all like, OMG. Please. When you give a punk thug that kind of money to him it just makes him a gangsta movie star. Until the NFL does something besides rocket these guys from the gutter to stardom, we should expect more of this. As for Vick, he paid a price for trying to continue to live the way he was raised. But I am shocked Goodell is letting him back in because he lied to his face, and it flat out makes a chump out of Goodell. But I guess the guy believes in him, and so does Dungy, so time will tell. I just do not feel the commissioners job is to try to father these guys. He has got to be tougher.
As for the animal rights side of this story, I agree that it is inhumane to pit two animals against each other in a death match. But thats about as far as I go with animal rights.

 

[public servant]

Good on him. Dungee is his mentor, numerous quarter backs have lobbied to bring him back. He is one hell of a football player and he has paid his dues twice over.

He should still be in prison...and banned from the NFL for life. And Pac-Man Jones should be right there with him.

 

[Benny]

F him. He's a felon and he doesn't deserve any special treatment. Do you think a non-athlete would get a second chance at a high-paying "job" as a convicted felon? Hardly. Make him work for his money like all of us other saps instead of paying him millions to play a freakin' game.

If they were skilled enough and an employer felt they'd be an asset then yes.

Vick is a POS for being involved in dog fighting, but he's paid his dues. No one is forcing any football team to sign him.

Like I said, I don't like Vick for what he did, but (almost) everyone deserves a second chance. He seemed to be a class act before this happened and maybe he learned his lesson.

 

[Bigum1969]

He seemed to be a class act before this happened and maybe he learned his lesson.

Maybe not so much (from Wikipedia):

• In 2007, conflicting statements were made by his estranged parents about possible dogfighting activities in 2001. Michael Boddie, his father, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that around 2001, Michael Vick was staging dogfights in the garage of the family's home in Newport News and kept fighting dogs in the family's backyard, including injured ones which the father nursed back to health. Boddie said his son had been urged to not engage in the activity, but continued. He stated: "This is Mike's thing. And he knows it."[31] Within days, Michael Vick's mother, Brenda Vick Boddie, told the Newport News Daily Press "There was no dogfighting [at our home]. There were no cages."[32]
• In early 2004, two men were arrested in Virginia for distributing marijuana. The truck they were driving was registered to Michael Vick. Falcons coach Dan Reeves recalled that he lectured Vick at that time on the importance of reputation, on choosing the right friends, and on staying out of trouble for the good of his team. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution quoted Reeves as having told Vick: "You are an Atlanta Falcon...Whatever you do is going to be a reflection on all of us, not just you."[33]
• On October 10, 2004, Vick and the other members of his party, including employee Quanis Phillips, were at Atlanta's Hartsfield International Airport on their way to board an AirTran flight. While they were passing through a security checkpoint with Vick, a security camera caught Phillips and Todd Harris picking up an expensive-appearing watch (either a Rolex or a fake) which belonged to Alvin Spencer, a security screener.[34] After watching the theft on a video tape, Spencer filed a police report. However, he claimed that Billy "White Shoes" Johnson, known as the Falcons' "fixer", interfered with the investigation.[33] Although Vick representatives declined to make him available for an Atlanta police inquiry, six days later Spencer did get the watch back from them, according to the Washington Post.[34]
• In March 2005, Sonya Elliott filed a civil lawsuit against Vick alleging she contracted genital herpes from him in the autumn of 2002, and that he failed to inform her that he had the disease.[35] Elliot further alleged that Vick had visited clinics under the alias "Ron Mexico" to get treatments and thus knew of his condition. On April 24, 2006, Vick's attorney, Lawrence Woodward, revealed that the lawsuit had been settled out of court under undisclosed terms.[36] Many fans bought custom jerseys from NFL.com with Vick's number 7 and the name "MEXICO" on the back, as a reference to his lawsuit. The NFL has since banned customizing jerseys with the name Mexico.[37]
• November 26, 2006 – After a Falcons loss to the New Orleans Saints in the Georgia Dome, in apparent reaction to fans booing, Vick made an obscene gesture at fans, holding up two middle fingers. He was fined $10,000 by the NFL and agreed to donate another $10,000 to charity.[38]
• January 17, 2007 – Vick surrendered a water bottle which had a hidden compartment to security personnel at Miami International Airport. "The compartment was hidden by the bottle's label so that it appeared to be a full bottle of water when held upright," police said. Test results indicated there were no illegal substances in the water bottle and Vick was cleared of any wrongdoing.[39] Vick announced that the water bottle was a jewelry stash box, and that the substance in question had been jewelry.[40]
• On Tuesday, April 24, 2007, Michael Vick was scheduled to lobby on Capitol Hill, hoping to persuade lawmakers to increase funding for after-school programs. However, Vick missed a connecting flight in Atlanta on Monday to Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia. He later failed to show-up for another seat booked for him later that evening. On Tuesday morning, he did not attend his scheduled appearance at the congressional breakfast where he also was to be honored for his foundation's work with after-school projects in Georgia and Virginia.[41] Vick's mother, Brenda Vick Boddie, accepted an award from the Afterschool Alliance on her son's behalf.

 

[public servant]

Maybe not so much (from Wikipedia):

• In 2007, conflicting statements were made by his estranged parents about possible dogfighting activities in 2001. Michael Boddie, his father, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that around 2001, Michael Vick was staging dogfights in the garage of the family's home in Newport News and kept fighting dogs in the family's backyard, including injured ones which the father nursed back to health. Boddie said his son had been urged to not engage in the activity, but continued. He stated: "This is Mike's thing. And he knows it."[31] Within days, Michael Vick's mother, Brenda Vick Boddie, told the Newport News Daily Press "There was no dogfighting [at our home]. There were no cages."[32]
• In early 2004, two men were arrested in Virginia for distributing marijuana. The truck they were driving was registered to Michael Vick. Falcons coach Dan Reeves recalled that he lectured Vick at that time on the importance of reputation, on choosing the right friends, and on staying out of trouble for the good of his team. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution quoted Reeves as having told Vick: "You are an Atlanta Falcon...Whatever you do is going to be a reflection on all of us, not just you."[33]
• On October 10, 2004, Vick and the other members of his party, including employee Quanis Phillips, were at Atlanta's Hartsfield International Airport on their way to board an AirTran flight. While they were passing through a security checkpoint with Vick, a security camera caught Phillips and Todd Harris picking up an expensive-appearing watch (either a Rolex or a fake) which belonged to Alvin Spencer, a security screener.[34] After watching the theft on a video tape, Spencer filed a police report. However, he claimed that Billy "White Shoes" Johnson, known as the Falcons' "fixer", interfered with the investigation.[33] Although Vick representatives declined to make him available for an Atlanta police inquiry, six days later Spencer did get the watch back from them, according to the Washington Post.[34]
• In March 2005, Sonya Elliott filed a civil lawsuit against Vick alleging she contracted genital herpes from him in the autumn of 2002, and that he failed to inform her that he had the disease.[35] Elliot further alleged that Vick had visited clinics under the alias "Ron Mexico" to get treatments and thus knew of his condition. On April 24, 2006, Vick's attorney, Lawrence Woodward, revealed that the lawsuit had been settled out of court under undisclosed terms.[36] Many fans bought custom jerseys from NFL.com with Vick's number 7 and the name "MEXICO" on the back, as a reference to his lawsuit. The NFL has since banned customizing jerseys with the name Mexico.[37]
• November 26, 2006 – After a Falcons loss to the New Orleans Saints in the Georgia Dome, in apparent reaction to fans booing, Vick made an obscene gesture at fans, holding up two middle fingers. He was fined $10,000 by the NFL and agreed to donate another $10,000 to charity.[38]
• January 17, 2007 – Vick surrendered a water bottle which had a hidden compartment to security personnel at Miami International Airport. "The compartment was hidden by the bottle's label so that it appeared to be a full bottle of water when held upright," police said. Test results indicated there were no illegal substances in the water bottle and Vick was cleared of any wrongdoing.[39] Vick announced that the water bottle was a jewelry stash box, and that the substance in question had been jewelry.[40]
• On Tuesday, April 24, 2007, Michael Vick was scheduled to lobby on Capitol Hill, hoping to persuade lawmakers to increase funding for after-school programs. However, Vick missed a connecting flight in Atlanta on Monday to Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia. He later failed to show-up for another seat booked for him later that evening. On Tuesday morning, he did not attend his scheduled appearance at the congressional breakfast where he also was to be honored for his foundation's work with after-school projects in Georgia and Virginia.[41] Vick's mother, Brenda Vick Boddie, accepted an award from the Afterschool Alliance on her son's behalf.

Adding to all of this,Vick failed a drug test while out on bail awaiting sentencing. Real bright, huh?

I wonder if rather than the number "7"...if they would put his Federal Prison ID on his jersey?

Perhaps we should just throw him to the dogs.

Someone should wipe that smug look off his face.

 

[public servant]

Vick won't be playing against the Colts. He won't be eligible until the third week of the pre-season.

Perhaps the Indianapolis Humane Society will sell t-shirts for the Eagles game.

 

[antsi]

I get really tired of how athletes can be massive POS and there is a large segment of society that worships the ground the walk on.

That's the thing. I agree what Vick did was disgusting, but it doesn't really seem all that far out of line for a pro athlete.

I guess I just don't have the expectation that pro athletes are going to be model citizens.

And yes, I saw some of Vick's 'apology' on TV when I was working out at the gym. I thought he did a fairly literate job of reading the script that was prepared for him by his PR firm.

On the other hand, there are so many pro athletes who are truly good citizens and use their popularity to promote and provide positive examples. For example, Jeff Foster

Yes, there are a few. There's an ex-Colts player in my church who's a great guy. However, it seems to me there are a lot more Kobe Bryants and Rick Pitinos and Lawrence Phillipses and Warren Moons and Steve McNairs and Ron Artests and Barry Bondses and Dwight Goodens and so on and on, in the sports world, than there are good citizens.

 

[BE Mike]

If we believe that Vick received a sentence for the offense committed that any other Joe would have received, then after paying his debt to society, he should be allowed to continue to engage in his profession. Their careers are pretty short as it is.

The problem seems to be that these top athletes, OJ comes to mind, are spoiled beyond belief and idolized. It usually starts in high school or before. This and all that money allows them to do anything they want with no consequences. They surround themselves with low-life hangers-on who are there for money and to be "yes men". These athletic stars come to be a law unto themselves. At least now it looks like some are having their feet held to the fire somewhat. It is a step in the right direction. They are much like alcoholics in a way. Until someone or something gets their attention, BIG TIME, they will continue to slide down the slippery slope.

With all these years of adulation and special treatment, it is a wonder that any of them turn out to be good citizens. The reality is that the sports world, and especially the pro sports world, has created these monsters. They do have a moral responsibility to try to do something about it. If Vick really is ready to turn his life around, then I'm convinced that Tony Dungy can help him.

 

[hornadylnl]

As if the Colts organization is any better. They threw our rights and the constitution in the toilet with the stadium deals.

 

[Benny]

As if the Colts organization is any better. They threw our rights and the constitution in the toilet with the stadium deals.

And where was all of the complaining during the Marvin Harrison debacle.

 

[Bigum1969]

I'm watching Vick right now on 60 Minutes. Surprise, surprise... he found the lord.

 

[public servant]

Hallelujah!! Amen!! Can we get a urinalysis!!

 

[hornadylnl]

It never ceases to amaze me how much a sports fan will turn their head when their favorite team is doing something wrong. Irsay and the City of Indianapolis drug our constitution through the sewers of Indy when they struck these stadium deals with Irsay. Ask Hurst where his property rights were. Ask the other family that the city abused eminent domain for. Ask the little old ladies who struggle to make ends meet if they like paying that extra 1% tax every time they got to McDonalds to eat.

If the city of Indy and the state of Indiana never charged a single person in the Colts organization another single penny in taxes, I wouldn't care. Actually, I'd pat them on the back for good business practices. But to use the force of government to steal from the citizens to pay for this mess, I became a fan of 2 teams. The New England Patriots and whoever is playing against the Colts.

I'm not a big sports person but enjoy a good game every now and then. I used to root for the Colts when they finally started clawing their way out of the suck. I started disliking them when they became perennial chokers. You can call that fairweather all you want but there is no excuse for constant failure when they had a much better team than that. Great stats don't do you any good in the playoffs when you go one and done every year. You can claim the 1 superbowl they got but as far as I'm concerned, that game was decided before it was ever played. Look at the last few years before they finally won it and you can tell the NFL was dying for the Colts to win one.

After this last stadium deal, I became the anti Colt.

 

[antsi]

After this last stadium deal, I became the anti Colt.

It's a strange thing - so many people who are otherwise conservative and belive in the free market, and would say that any business should sink or swim on its own merits without government support, suddenly become all socialist when it comes to the local sports franchise.

I do enjoy football occasionally, but I do not believe in taking taxpayer money to fund a welfare program for spoiled billionaires.