Breaking News, Gene Upshaw has asked Michael Vick to take a paid Leave of Absence

[TVFactFan]

so he can focus on his legal isses. story just broke on ESPN's sportscenter

[catlover79]

WHAT!?? A PAID leave of absence?? What kind of crap is that? That's why I can't stand these wimps in charge of pro sports anymore. They are all spineless jellyfish who would rather turn the other way than give these creeps the punishment they deserve. I feel like saying a lot more, but this is a family board, so I'll stop here. IDIOTS!!!

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by catlover79

WHAT!?? A PAID leave of absence?? What kind of crap is that? That's why I can't stand these wimps in charge of pro sports anymore. They are all spineless jellyfish who would turn the other way than give these creeps the punishment they deserve. I feel like saying a lot more, but this is a family board, so I'll stop here. IDIOTS!!!

Well in defense of Vick, he still has to feed his family-lol

[Mr. Television]

over on The Ranch their are actually some idiots defending this bum. hno:

The NFL has 2 sets of rules...one for average players and another for superstars.

[Chelsea]

Remember, no one's been convicted of anything yet. Due process. Hence, he's not being advised about letting the door hit him the ass on the way to jail (gotta warm up), yet.

[catlover79]

Originally Posted by TheAnalyzer

Well in defense of Vick, he still has to feed his family-lol

I heard that of all the millions he made last year, Michael SICK only donated 10 grand to charity. He probably only did it to get a tax write-off!!

[Mr. Television]

http://www.ajc.com/falcons/content/s...horn_0720.html

Teammate Horn says Vick is 'saddened' by events
Wide receiver claims not having QB 'will hurt'

By STEVE WYCHE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 07/19/07

Falcons wide receiver Joe Horn said he has spoken to Vick since in the indictment came down Tuesday and that Vick is remorseful and concerned.

"Mike is saddened about the tension this is going to cause the team," Horn told the Journal-Constitution on Thursday night. "I assured him I support him, the rest of the guys support him and the team supports him. Whether he's guilty or innocent or whether you believe he is, time will tell.


"No one, I don't care if you're wealthy or poor, no one is immune to the trials and tribulations of life. Everyone who's breathing is going to have to deal with issues in their life. Unfortunately, Mike is up at bat right now."

Horn said he understands NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's right to suspend Vick and the team's option to keep Vick away from team activities, but he doesn't think that would be right or in the best interest of anyone involved.

"Not having him around, that will hurt," said Horn, who signed a free-agent contract with the Falcons this off-season after 11 seasons with the New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs. "I think he should be around. The more he's around his teammates playing football might help Michael Vick. I don't think suspending him is going to help him.

"Michael wants to play football. He told me over and over again, 'I know what's going on and I need to be there playing and go

[Mr. Television]

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn...c.php?t=242177

The big factor in Vick decisions is the bottom line
July 20, 2007


Last night I said how sad it was that we spent so much time recently talking about the disgusting hobby that led to an indictment of Mike Vick and his dog killing buddies. We spent too much time on dog fighting: what the NFL should do, what the Falcons should do, how anyone could be invovled in something like this. (Let's remember, there are worse things that people are into -- serial killing, child molesting, human sex trafficking -- so let's be practical in our perspective on this). But today we get a big ol' slap in the face from the wordly world of business.


Just in case you thought for a second that people care,first ,for the person and their feelings and ,second, for everything else ... let's read and then parse the statements made by Falcons owner Arthur Blank and that small athletic apparel company headquartered in Oregon.

"This is an emotionally charged and complicated matter," Blank said. "There are a wide range of interests and legal issues that need to be carefully considered as we move ahead, including our need to respect the due process that Michael is entitled to. Also, this situation affects everyone -- our club, our players and associates, our sponsors, our fans and the Atlanta community among them -- so we must consider all of our customers in making any decisions. Given the differing perspectives and strong feelings around this issue, we probably won't make everyone happy, but we are committed to doing the right thing. As the owner of this club that's, ultimately, my responsibility."

And from Nike:

The company "is concerned by the serious and highly disturbing allegations made against Michael Vick, and we consider any cruelty to animals inhumane and abhorrent. We do believe that Michael Vick should be afforded the same due process as any citizen; therefore, we have not terminated our relationship."

They are SO concerned that they are not taking any of the Mike Vick merchandise off the shelves. Instead, they are simply not rolling out his new shoe. There's a market discernment for ya! They consider cruelty to animals "inhumane and abhorrent." Wow. I guess paying a 10-year-old in Cambodia 6 cents to make a pair of Jordans out of a cow is just fine.

Pulling the NEW shoe is a lovely gesture of appeasement to the animal rights people -- and, as an added bonus, it's hollow and shallow. All that does is protect them from having more product on the shelves that doesn't sell. If they wanted to make a statement, pull ALL the Vick paraphernalia and terminate his contract based on "public embarrassment" clauses that I am certain are in there.

This is about greed. This isn't about someone coming out and saying "Well, if Mike Vick is gone, there will be starving vendors, and restaurants around the Georgia Dome will be empty on Sundays." So, don't let anyone use that argument. This is about greed. "There are a lot of factors to weigh." Yeah, and those factors are measured in millions.

The statement by Arthur Blank could have said anything. What is clearly stated, but not stated, is that this is ALL about money -- and nothing else.

If it weren't for sponsorships, contracts, marketing, season tickets, and other investments, Vick would be looking for a job. We've spoken at length on our show about privilege and entitlement. We just got a lesson in that today. I was watching MSNBC on Thursday afternoon and Jim Gray was talking about how these are "just allegations" against Vick. Huh? And no one even said a word on that program about Pacman Jones. Gray even compared it to the Duke case. Sorry, that's not a fair comparison. The Duke case was a "he said, she said" and the work of a rogue D.A. If I remember correctly, the Duke players professed their innocence from Day 1. Where is a similar statement from Mike Vick?

I am disappointed in the NFL, but I am not surprised. The NFL not making a swift and punishing statement by suspending Vick just proves two things: the power of celebrity and the supreme power of The NFL. It doesn't matter what the NFL does, no one is going to stop watching football. The commissioner could have personally electrocuted those dogs at halftime of the Super Bowl and it wouldn't even have affected the second half betting line.

The court of public opinion will sentence Mike Vick to life without parole. That same court would drink the NFL's bathwater if it meant being able to watch the games.

These may be harsh things to say about the NFL, but it's the truth. I am not concerned about what the NFL thinks of what I say. I am not paid by the NFL. I am not credentialed by the NFL. If I never saw another NFL game I'd be OK with that. I'd be OK if I never saw another sporting event - yes, even The Masters. There are other things more important. Other shows may talk about the football implications of this case. As a matter of fact, it was comforting to see ESPN breaking down the fantasy implications of Mike Vick's indictment today. Thank goodness I had that info before my draft.

I want to talk about the truth. The truth is that the money will be the first thing considered before anything is decided. When did Don Imus get canned? When the money began to dry up. People may be outraged at Mike Vick and never buy his merchandise. People may be outraged at The Falcons and not buy their Falcons merchandise. However, no matter how outraged people get at the NFL, they are still going to watch on Sunday. For that reason don't expect to see any advertisers pull out of their NFL commitments

[Ireneparalegal]

Originally Posted by Seth

Remember, no one's been convicted of anything yet. Due process. Hence, he's not being advised about letting the door hit him the ass on the way to jail (gotta warm up), yet.

This is true. As much as we don't like that one can continue to get paid while being indicted or investigated for a crime, the NFL is only protecting themselves from a potential civil lawsuit if the NFL "let him go without pay" since he hasn't been "found guilty" of any crime. Vick could turn around and sue for millions if the NFL let him go for no good cause without pay. He is innocent until proven guilty.

Although, just like O.J. Simpson, Robert Blake and Phil Spector, we know Vick is GUILTY AS HELL!