NAACP: Let Vick return to Falcons after jail sentence

[875000]

NAACP: Let Vick return to Falcons after jail sentence

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/falcons/2007-08-22-vick-wednesday_N.htm

ATLANTA (AP) — An NAACP leader said Michael Vick should be allowed to return to the NFL, preferably the Atlanta Falcons, after serving his sentence for his role in a dogfighting operation.

"As a society, we should aid in his rehabilitation and welcome a new Michael Vick back into the community without a permanent loss of his career in football," said R.L. White, president of the NAACP's Atlanta chapter. "We further ask the NFL, Falcons, and the sponsors not to permanently ban Mr. Vick from his ability to bring hours of enjoyment to fans all over this country."
White said the Falcons quarterback made a mistake and should be allowed to prove he has learned from that mistake.

On Monday, Vick said through a lawyer that he will plead guilty to a federal charge of conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and conspiracy to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture.
Three Vick associates have pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge and say Vick provided nearly all the gambling and operating funds for the "Bad Newz Kennels" dogfighting enterprise. Two of them also said Vick participated in executing at least eight underperforming dogs, raising the possibility of the animal cruelty charges.

Last month, state and local leaders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People urged the public not to rush to judgment in the Vick case. The civil rights organization said animal rights groups, talk radio and the news media were vilifying the embattled athlete, and that his team and corporate sponsors were prematurely punishing Vick.
White said the Atlanta chapter supports Vick's decision to accept a plea bargain if it's in his best interest, but he questioned the credibility of Vick's co-defendants, saying an admission of guilt might be more about cutting losses than the truth.

"At this point, you're not looking at guilt or innocence," White said, referring to the possible harsher sentence Vick could have received had he taken his case to trial and been found guilty. "You're thinking, 'What I better do is cut my losses and take a plea.' But if he saw this as the best thing to do at this point for his future, then I think he made the correct choice."
White said he regretted that the plea deal will mean all the facts of the case might never be known.

"Some have said things to save their own necks," White said. "Michael Vick has received more negative press than if he had killed a human being."
White said he does not support dogfighting and that he considers it as bad as hunting.

"His crime is, it was a dog," White said.

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

[Sean of the Thread]

Ban him.

[Landrion]

I wonder if they would be as forgiving of Imus.

[Gan]

Persons Convicted of Criminal Activity
Any Covered Person convicted of or admitting to a criminal violation (including a plea to a lesser included offense; a plea of nob contendere or no contest; or the acceptance of a diversionary program, deferred adjudication, disposition of supervision, or similar arrangement) will be subject to discipline as determined by the Commissioner. Such discipline may include a fine, suspension without pay and/or banishment from the League. Any Covered Person convicted of or admitting to a second criminal violation will be suspended without pay or banished for a period of time to be determined by the Commissioner.
http://www.nflpa.org/RulesAndRegs/ConductPolicy.aspx#5

[TheEschaton]

NAACP is way off on this. First off, it's not a race issue. Secondly, it would be a MUCH BIGGER DEAL if he murdered a human being. Hell, he's only getting maximum 5 years. For torturing and killing 8 people, he would get the death sentence in VA (do they have it?)

Third, the NFL is not your ordinary dock worker job. These people are supposed to set examples of good behavior. I know tijay is gonna pipe up about how athletes don't sign up to be role models, and quote Sir Charles (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMzdAZ3TjCA) "I am not a role model," but the point of the matter is, despite their intentions, they ARE role models, and should be exceedingly punished for it because their punishment sends a wider message to our society that such action is not acceptable.

-TheE-

[Gan]

Ask the NBA what having a bunch of NON-ROLEMODELS represnting their business does for image, fan perception, and revenue.

Sorry, if my business was built upon the business of image, perception, and fan support (and advertiser support) then I wouldnt want someone like that being my poster boy.

[Sean of the Thread]

NFL has really beefed up their personal conduct policy in the last couple years with all the fucking hoodlum shit going on. Role model or not they are a paid representative under contract for their organization/league and they'll have to be responsible for that at the very least.

If the gambling allegations pan out.. he's fucked. BANNANATED.

[Sean of the Thread]

Ask the NBA what having a bunch of NON-ROLEMODELS represnting their business does for image, fan perception, and revenue.

Sorry, if my business was built upon the business of image, perception, and fan support (and advertiser support) then I wouldnt want someone like that being my poster boy.

NBA is blocked in my household. Can't have my kids watching that crap.

[Stanley Burrell]

I wonder if they would be as forgiving of Imus.

Imus dishing out his explosion-in-a-Brillo-Pad-factory comment borders on par with M. Vick's racketeering of fighting deliberately starved animals and electrocuting/hanging the weakest link.

Borders, broken rolleyes emoticon :rolleyes:

[Sean]

Originally Posted by Ganalon
Ask the NBA what having a bunch of NON-ROLEMODELS represnting their business does for image, fan perception, and revenue.

Sorry, if my business was built upon the business of image, perception, and fan support (and advertiser support) then I wouldnt want someone like that being my poster boy.

Obviously you're free to spend your money however you wish but I'll agree to disagree with you on why the numbers are dropping for the NBA. And even if the domestic popularity of the NBA is dropping the international popularity is expanding to compensate.

[Haywood J.]

I don't watch the NBA because there are no more superstars like Bird, Jordan, Magic, who were legitimately role models and superstars.

The stars of today are dim in comparison.

Oh, and on topic. Where's the don't ban Imus for life campaign at?

[ElanthianSiren]

The NAACP's stance made me laugh in a disgusted kinda way. As one of the radio DJ's here quipped yesterday, "A man kills a deer and can feed his whole family for weeks on the meat. Allright, WHO'SE grilling the dog steaks?"

[Sean]

People who cheat on their wives and have gambling addicitions are certainly legit role-models

[DeV]

http://www.thephatphree.com/features.asp?StoryID=850&SectionID=2&LayoutT

Oh and... http://www.nbacriminals.com/Qyntel_Woods_Pit_Bull_Fighting.html

[Sean of the Thread]

http://www.thephatphree.com/features.asp?StoryID=850&SectionID=2&LayoutT

Oh and... http://www.nbacriminals.com/Qyntel_Woods_Pit_Bull_Fighting.html

And thus why the NFL really beefed up their personal conduct code last year.

Cause and effect.

[Ilvane]

Anyone know of any football players that have been kicked off their teams for domestic abuse or things like that?

I'd like to see how good the follow up is with those kind of cases, in comparison.

Angela

[Sean of the Thread]

Or things.. what things? Very descriptive.

In comparison to what?? Federal indictments?

[Ilvane]

"Things like that"--Violence arrests, guns, child abuse, spousal abuse, etc..

Is that more clear, Sean?

Angela

[Sean]

The personal conduct rule isn't even a year old the casualties are going to be lower than any likely threshold you desire.

[TheSmooth1]

I want to start the NAAWP and see what happens.

Course, no one would care about the NAAWP.

[Keller]

I want to start the NAAWP and see what happens.

Course, no one would care about the NAAWP.

NAAWP -- see every fraternal organization created in the history of western civilization.

[Skeeter]

Mark Chmura had this hot tub once.

Didn't go good for him.

I also remember Rapheal Septian being banned for being a child molester.

[Gan]

Obviously you're free to spend your money however you wish but I'll agree to disagree with you on why the numbers are dropping for the NBA. And even if the domestic popularity of the NBA is dropping the international popularity is expanding to compensate.

I can accept that.

I make a motion to move the NBA, teams and all, over to Europe.

[Kembal]

Vick better get banned.

As for the NAACP leader, his real reason better be that he's a huge Falcons fan, because he sounds like an idiot.

[DeV]

Course, no one would care about the NAAWP.I know I wouldn't. I'd probably view it the same way I do the NAACP. It may as well be a political organization as far as I'm concerned because they don't take any action unless there is some payoff in the end. I agree with TheE in that this is not an issue they should be involved in.

[Gan]

I know I wouldn't. I'd probably view it the same way I do the NAACP. It may as well be a political organization as far as I'm concerned because they don't take any action unless there is some payoff in the end. I agree with TheE in that this is not an issue they should be involved in.

x3

[Methais]

I want to start the NAAWP and see what happens.

Course, no one would care about the NAAWP.

That would be racist, obviously.

[Blazing247]

Who cares what the NAACP says? This isn't even an issue for them to have a say in, and they look like retards for opening their mouth. The NAACP, Jesse Jackson, and Al Sharpton are setting the black community back about 30 years with their nonsense, the same way that people like David Dukes disgrace the white community.

This all boils down to one thing: people get paid way too much money to play professional sports, and lucrative enterprises generally don't attract the most moral and sincere people.

[Ignot]

Even if he is allowed to play in the NFL I doubt many teams would want him after he serves his jail time. It would probably be a year or 2 and his body would quickly devalue. He is only an attractive QB because of his athletic ability and once thats gone he isnt going to have much stock left.

Banned or not, I think he is done in the NFL.

[unconcerned1]

Even if he is allowed to play in the NFL I doubt many teams would want him after he serves his jail time. It would probably be a year or 2 and his body would quickly devalue. He is only an attractive QB because of his athletic ability and once thats gone he isnt going to have much stock left.

Banned or not, I think he is done in the NFL.

Makes me sad. Vick's been (was) my favorite player since I watched the NCAA title game between VA Tech and FL State. He was amazing.. made Florida's secondary look stupid.

Edit: I'm also tired of hearing about him.

[Ignot]

Makes me sad. Vick's been (was) my favorite player since I watched the NCAA title game between VA Tech and FL State. He was amazing.. made Florida's secondary look stupid.

Edit: I'm also tired of hearing about him.

FSU won that game, just wanted to throw that out there, go NOLES!

[Hulkein]

They don't need to ban him. He is a shitty QB and will be even shittier after rotting for 2+ seasons. In addition to that, what team is going to sign that PR mess? I'd say maybe the Raiders but I doubt Al Davis will still be alive.

[Sean of the Thread]

They don't need to ban him. He is a shitty QB and will be even shittier after rotting for 2+ seasons. In addition to that, what team is going to sign that PR mess? I'd say maybe the Raiders but I doubt Al Davis will still be alive.

It's not about shitty.. it's about setting an example/precedent with the new crackdown/personal conduct bullshit.

[Stunseed]

They don't need to ban him. He is a shitty QB and will be even shittier after rotting for 2+ seasons. In addition to that, what team is going to sign that PR mess? I'd say maybe the Raiders but I doubt Al Davis will still be alive.

The Lions will when Kitna breaks his hip handing the ball off to Ricky Williams. :)

[Sean of the Thread]

Lol..

Actually I see Kitna possibly having a nice year.

[Sean]

Even if he is allowed to play in the NFL I doubt many teams would want him after he serves his jail time. It would probably be a year or 2 and his body would quickly devalue. He is only an attractive QB because of his athletic ability and once thats gone he isnt going to have much stock left.

Banned or not, I think he is done in the NFL.

What makes you think his body will devalue. Hes taken a lot of hits over the years. If he can stay in shape 2 less years of miles and blows may actually doe him some good.

[DeV]

Getting pumped up in prison isn't out of the ordinary.

[Sean of the Thread]

Getting pumped up in prison isn't out of the ordinary.

Pumped up the ass you mean.

[Stunseed]

I was going to remove the "up", but Sean2's got it pretty well summed up.

[DeV]

I was going to remove the "up", but Sean2's got it pretty well summed up.I would have liked this version better, but yeah, you get the double meaning.

[Mistomeer]

Why shouldn't he be allowed to come back? The world of professional sports is filled with shitbags. There's tons of examples. Many major league baseball players are admitted steroid users, Mike Tyson is a convicted rapist, Pacman Jones is only serving a 10 game suspension for his numerous conduct problems, one of which left a man paralyzed, and the list goes on. That doesn't even include those players that were acquitted like Kobe and Ray Lewis. Hell, I would say that Pacman's conduct is probably worse than Vick's. If all of these players are allowed to continue, why not Vick? So let him sit out this season while he's in jail and serve his suspension the next year and then if some team wants him after those two years, then I say go for it.

[Alfster]

Whether or not they let him come back, it wont matter much. With all the hatred towards him, he'd hurt whatever team took him more than he would help them. Not only is he an overrated quarterback, but with the amount of public hatred for him, I can't imagine any game he plays in not becoming some sort of circus. Peta outside every game, fans in the stands with signs about dogs and shit. Fuck that, no team that wants to win a superbowl would take him.

[Nieninque]

What does NAACP stand for?

[Gan]

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

But there's only 1 color that they represent.

[Ignot]

What makes you think his body will devalue. Hes taken a lot of hits over the years. If he can stay in shape 2 less years of miles and blows may actually doe him some good.

2 years in football is alot when we talk about body performance. Somehow I doubt that he will get the same physical training in jail but regardless, just the fact that he will be two years older is enough to make his arm a bit weaker and his legs a bit slower.

[Hulkein]

It's not about shitty.. it's about setting an example/precedent with the new crackdown/personal conduct bullshit.

That policy is fine for crimes that don't actually remove the player via the criminal system. If he is going to get locked up for two years then I feel he's paid his dues and should be allowed to find work in the league if any team is willing to sign him. I think the only time you should be banned from a league is if you're betting on your own team and altering the outcome of the games for that purpose. I'm sure I'm in the minority there.

[Sean of the Thread]

# Persons Convicted of Criminal Activity
# Any Covered Person convicted of or admitting to a criminal violation (including a plea to a lesser included offense; a plea of nob contendere or no contest; or the acceptance of a diversionary program, deferred adjudication, disposition of supervision, or similar arrangement) will be subject to discipline as determined by the Commissioner. Such discipline may include a fine, suspension without pay and/or banishment from the League. Any Covered Person convicted of or admitting to a second criminal violation will be suspended without pay or banished for a period of time to be determined by the Commissioner.

[Hulkein]

I didn't say it wasn't possible under the rules...

[Tea & Strumpets]

It's a disgrace to have an organization that helps people based on the amount of melanin in their skin.

[Parkbandit]

Reports out today have Vick agreeing to seeing the dogs being killed, but never organizing the dog fights or gambling on them. Why do I see Vick getting off pretty light for what he's alleged to have done?

[Parkbandit]

It's a disgrace to have an organization that helps people based on the amount of melanin in their skin.


You are a racist. This is Daniel.

[grapedog]

The National Association for the Advancement of White Irish American People.

NAAWIAP...

I like the sound of that...i'm tired of having to chose OTHER in all those applications. I want a check box for Irish American...fuck all those other cocksuckers with their own checkbox's.

[grapedog]

Oh yeah, fuck Vick, I hope he rots in jail for a long time once the charges from Virigina come through...if they do.

He's a shitty quarterback and a shitty person...maybe we'll get lucky and he'll get strangled and drowned in jail...or maybe eletrocuted, like in Tango and Cash.

[Sean]

http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2007/images/08/24/vick.summary.facts.pdf

[Celephais]

http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2007/images/08/24/vick.summary.facts.pdf

Wow... Vick's sig, he might as well have just put an X on the line.

[Gan]

It sure does look fancy though!

[Sean of the Thread]

What a crock of shit hahaha. Ok so no proceeds on it eh? He just financed it for the love the sport I guess.