Stephon Marbury is always good for a laugh, but he does make the cultural point I was trying for earlier. Alge Crumpler, my favorite player on the team and Vick’s only decent target of the last few years, also had some support, making the audacious claim that Vick is human. The NAACP also made a statement that really shows the capitol that Atlanta’s African-American community has invested in Vick, and the Falcons (one of the very few professional sports teams that has a majority of season tickets owned by black fans.)
]]>I am not a fan of the NFL Network in the first place. It definitely is starting to look like the Squealer to Roger Goodell’s Napoleon. I sure hope the NFL fanbase won’t buy it, but unfortunately this is probably my optimism leaking out again.
I can certainly respect your stance, Matt. Though I would caution people to withhold judgment until next Monday, when Vick will enter his plea and sign a statement of facts outlining his admitted involvement. Now I won’t take what he signs as gospel by any means, but I certainly give more credit to his admissions than to those of his co-conspirators who were throwing him under the bus last week.
I do still hope that Vick can recover from this, and use his leadership abilities to benefit society. He has an uphill battle for sure, but at the top is something that far surpasses the greatest glory that even a Super Bowl could bestow: true greatness. In his six seasons with the Falcons Mike Vick constantly had his leadership abilities questioned, now he has a chance to show what he really has. The next three years of his life will set the tone for the rest of it, if he sits quietly or pays only lip service to restitution in an attempt to recoup his career (see Mike Tyson) then he will fail, but if he can really see the error of his ways he now has the opportunity to be a true leader in the community, and a role model for young urban athletes everywhere (see Jim Brown.) I’ll be rooting for that.
If I can now digress to football: First, I think the gambling allegations are outrageous, at least given what I’ve read so far. It appears that Vick sponsored his dogs, but I have yet to hear any allegations that he was betting on other dogs, or other events. It seems to me that he was involved in a competition, just as Arthur Blank’s Falcons compete for the prize money of the Super Bowl. Second, I agree that Vick is due additional scrutiny because he is a quarterback, a position that should be the unquestioned leader of the offense. I don’t expect Vick to get an NFL starter’s job right out of the gate, but I would be just as surprised if his athleticism doesn’t allow him back on the field (like so many other felons before him) if he is able to rehabilitate his image. (Free advice if you’re reading this Mike, use some of this upcoming freetime to work on those hands and running routes.) Lastly, I spent last night very disappointed that the Falcons had lost one of my favorite players for at least the season, a very talented, and mobile African-American quarterback. I am speaking, of course, of D.J. Shockley who until blowing his ACL in a preseason contest, was my last hope to salvage the season (I love and support Joey Harrington, but I’m not sure any of the Falcons do and that can be a problem.) I really hope D.J. will get well soon, and be ready to compete for the starter’s job next season, Atlanta needs that, especially from one of their homegrown sons.
]]>Also, being from Atlanta, and being a Falcons fan since I was a kid, I’m very disappointed. I have supported Vick since he got to Atlanta, and supported the 10 year franchise contract. Unfortunately, now that he just plead guilty, I’m not in his corner anymore. I am of the thinking that when people like him, including Elected Officials, celebrities, rock stars, etc., that if they break the law, the get treated the same. Fuck them getting special treatment. Vick plead guilty, and now he has to face his mistakes. I personally also believe that you can do whatever you want. This is America, and I think if people do illegal shit and don’t get caught, you have that right to do what you want. But if you get caught, then you have to own up to your mistakes & illegal activity. I don’t want to get into symantics and details of my opinions of what is illegal vs. legal, but specifically this crime, he knew that he was doing illegal and violent shit.
Looks like stupidity is in Michael Vick’s family.
]]>What’s the big deal? This isn’t a Free Speech issue, it’s whether or not a celebrity who has accepted endorsements (i.e. has put a price tag on their own image), must fulfill their contractual obligations. The answer is clearly yes.
If Deon gave a damn about Free Speech, he would cancel his contract with the NFL - stopping them from pouring millions down his throat - clearing the way for him to express himself. Until he does that, he is nothing more than Camel Joe, Captain Crunch or any other Corporate Icon. (Here’s the latest column)
]]>I actually figured it out on my own, just for the record… I tend to spend more of my time writing (as if you couldn’t tell,) and less time trying to figure out how to make it look pretty with a new bit of software.
]]>How to write a post; How to update your profile; How to moderate your comments; and How to manage your blogroll.
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