Falcons Owner: Michael Vick Needs to Get New Friends

Michael Vick was released from federal prison today, but it'll be a while before he knows whether he can play in the NFL again.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank has made it clear that Michael Vick won't play for the Falcons again. But he said on his way out of the NFL owners' meetings this morning that he has no problem with Vick returning to the league with some other team. Blank also gave some indication of what might constitute the "genuine remorse" that Vick supposedly has to show before commissioner Roger Goodell reinstates him.

"It goes beyond whether he's paid his debt to society," Blank said. "From a legal standpoint, and financially, he has. But it goes beyond words. It goes to how he's going to live, personally and in the community with others. The people that Michael spent time with and the influence they had on him were a big part of what happened. His ability to separate from those people is going to be critical for Michael."

Blank wasn't speaking for Goodell, but he did say he and the commissioner have had many discussions about Vick over the past couple of years. His comments about the company Vick keeps could be a window onto one aspect of Goodell's decision-making in this case.

"The old expression is 'You are what you eat,' but to some extent, you are you who hang with, too," Blank said. "That's important for all of us."

Owners with less of a direct connection to Vick also were asked about his case on the day he was released from federal prison to begin two months of home confinement that will complete his sentence for dogfighting crimes. The general sentiment seemed to be that Vick shouldn't be prohibited from playing in the NFL again, but that it's obviously up to the commissioner whether to lift his suspension.

Dolphins owner Stephen Ross said he "believes in giving people a second chance," though he hemmed and hawed when asked directly whether he'd be willing to acquire Vick if his football people thought it was a good idea. Saints owner Tom Benson said he believes Vick has done his time, but also declined to speculate as to whether he'd personally be willing to give him a job.

Ultimately, this all means nothing for at least two more months, since Goodell has been clear that he won't even address Vick's case until his sentence is completed.

"Once he's concluded that, I will meet with him and I will make a judgment based on our conversation and conversations I have with others," Goodell said today. "And I'll make a decision at that time."

Even if Goodell lifts Vick's current suspension, he could suspend him for all or part of the 2009 season. And once Vick was eligible to play, the Falcons would still control his rights, and would have to trade or release him in order for him to find work elsewhere. Blank said those issues would be addressed "at the appropriate time."

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

5-20-2009 @ 1:03PM

bkind7x said...

It makes no sense to suspend Vick from the NFL - he has already been suspended 2 years, and if he comes back he will already have an adjustment phase - perhaps being on the bench for a while ... the natural acquired punishment of already missing a 3rd preseason and having affected a 3rd year of play is punishment enough without more suspension time. The revelation of corrected measures begins with the implementation of better learned living principles that will also translate to better play on the field, and better use of down time with charities, and a new outlook that will come with a new fresh beginning in the vocation he loves.

5-20-2009 @ 2:51PM

WIlliam said...

While I would certainly like to see that he is a changed man, my intuition tells me differently. My thought is that he has been in the negative environment of prison and probably has not received anything to help him change. He will do his public service activities for publicity but will then slip up and do something like:

Get into a fight at a club

Knock up some skank

Get a DUI

Get caught with weed

Get caught with a gun

He will not realize that a second chance means that he pretty much needs to live the life of a monk and disassociate himself from the hoodlums and thugs that he has been running with. A team would be stupid (Raiders!) to take him. Besides, although an exciting player he never really progressed as a QB, which speaks to a lack of intelligence, which is what this is really all about.

5-20-2009 @ 6:03PM

Realist said...

If Vick is allowed to Play footbal again all that will do is reafirm that athleates are "better" than any other person in America. If you went to prison while you were at you job did 2 years & went back to your employer asking to "work" again what would you be told...Hell No!! If you tried to get another job you would have to explain why you were in Prison and probably never get offered a job. It is discusting that people will be willing to overlook all the stupid things he's done (more than just the dog fighting) just because he can throw a Football, Vick like all his supports is PATHETIC, all of the sudden he wants to help the ASPCA stop dog fighting, yeah right. Believe what you want to he will always be a convict to me.

5-20-2009 @ 7:43PM

If Michael Vick loves football - that takes priority. Redemption for the whole person - and the charities come from the heart as managed by that person.

5-20-2009 @ 8:08PM

the cooker said...

I do not condone for one second what Vick did and could care less if he ever plays football again. If you have listened or really read anything about this you will know that it is not about Vick. It is about Arthur Blank and the Falcons. If our employers did not want us they would just let us go, but not Blank. You can bet that the NFL will not reinstate Vick until Blank has a trade made because Blank would have to pay Vick. The Falcons cannot lose in this deal. If they cannot make a trade, Vick will not get back in the NFL.