Speaking to New York Times columnist William C. Rhoden, Jackson said he is ready to take a public stand against what he views as collusion by NFL owners:
"I want to make it an issue," Jackson said Thursday in a telephone interview. "I want teams to explain why they have a quarterback who has less skills but is playing or at least is on the taxi squad, and a guy with more skills can't get into training camp. ...Jackson's points all sound valid, but what I don't understand is why Jackson thinks Vick doesn't already have the opportunity he's seeking. Vick is already free to sign with any of the 32 NFL teams. It's just that so far he hasn't. That doesn't mean Vick is being punished by those 32 NFL teams, it just means that those 32 NFL teams think Vick is more likely to hurt the team than help it. Vick has only himself to blame for that.
"If he can't make the team, don't let him play. If he can, let him work. ...
"If the guy has paid his dues to the criminal justice system, paid his debt to the N.F.L. and shows remorse, what else does he need to do?"
Hat tip: PFT.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
8-08-2009 @ 11:42AM
bkind7x said...
I am with Jesse Jackson on this one (and I lean Republican). But my guess is that some teams are afraid of losing a few fans, or being picked on for picking up Michael Vick. Whereas, the teams should be focussed on WINNING - any team that wants an edge on a winning season would be wanting to pick up Michael Vick. WHATEVER THE REASON - it is obvious that WINNING is not one of the top goals of the NFL teams. Michael Vick is a team player - lack of team play was never one of his issues.
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8-08-2009 @ 12:09PM
Mike said...
Vick was a "TEAM PLAYER"? Are you serious? Vick was a self-centered showboater whose offensive line couldn't ever block for him because they never knew where he was!
Why does Jackson feel that just because a man is black, he has a right to play in the NFL? Don't teams have a right to cater to the people who actually SUPPORT the teams, the FANS, when it comes to issues such as this?
INTEGRITY must take precedence over "winning". This is an issue in which the culprit is only remorseful because he was CAUGHT. He ran an illegal interstate gambling operation for all the YEARS he was under contract to the NFL.
This is no different than Vick being a drug dealer, and which team wants a convicted drug dealer on their team?
8-08-2009 @ 12:21PM
Mike said...
I do think it's somewhat humorous that Rev. Jesse is basically saying that teams need to justify having a slow, less-talented WHITE quarterback on their team while Michael Vick is looking for a job.
Obviously, Jackson does not know shit about football, because if he did he would realize that running out of the pocket on every snap does not constitute "talent" or "a gift".
Vick SUCKED as a quarterback, plain and simple. Could he excel in a wildcat offense? I'm sure he could, but just because Miami had a little success running a novelty formation last year does NOT mean every other team is going to adopt the wildcat.
Jackson is a racist. He is telling teams to justify not firing the white guy in favor of the convicted felon black guy. I wonder why he hasn't been fighting for Pete Rose's reinstatement into MLB HOF eligibility?
8-08-2009 @ 12:47PM
bkind7x said...
Michael Vick actually stayed in the pocket and the pocket quickly collapsed on him many times, because he did not have a good offensive line. That's one of the reason's he may prove to be even better with another team. Vick always looked for the pass first.
8-08-2009 @ 1:12PM
fouritiswritten said...
he needs a better agent and some angel help!...the first thing is to get him in a parina dog food commercial
8-08-2009 @ 8:31PM
lostinfl2674 said...
I hate to inform you guys theirs nothing in this Great country that allows us to be so stupid and not realise that the NFL has the freedom to pick who ever they want to play for them, It's 32 teams that are doing their own thing. Granted Vick is one of our home town boys and I do agree he paid the pipper already but its their choice if they want to hire him. Just like any other job in the World so Please dont be stupid everybody with Jesse Jackson,
8-08-2009 @ 10:16PM
comtox said...
What happened to going to Canada for awhile, come back a winner like Doug Flutie.
8-08-2009 @ 11:46AM
bkind7x said...
I thought NFL was suppose to be known for TOUGHNESS. You mean the NFL can't take a little criticism from bias political nagger's who are NOT EVEN NFL FAN'S ??????????
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8-08-2009 @ 11:54AM
wdfisher57 said...
Dear Jessie, its called moral inturpitude. Any other similar person convicted and sent to prison likely sees his or her lifes options stunted and likely limited on a variety of levels once they leave incarceration and reenter society. Vick had millions of dollars in his bank account, what happened to them? I'd say it would be better for him to go back to school qnd train himself for one of the green jobs Obama keeps saying are out there to be had. I am sure he'd find a willing backer inside this administration to smooth the way for him, he has a predisposition to favor such individuals. In the end the easy life of a professional athlete are over for him, its time for th ereal world of work to register in his psychi. Gte a job elsewhere seems to be his best option, although times are tough and the pay will likely be much less. Thems the breaks. Deal with it.
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8-08-2009 @ 12:00PM
claytor said...
Good god, lol, i think people should realize that while Vick was paying them old dues! his "skills" atrophied in the pen.
Hes been away from the game for two years, thats a long time, and he was a near horrific passer as well, so honestly, what in the hell decrees that an NFL team doesnt want to win if they dont sign him???
He had what, one solid season in the NFL? Went to the playoffs to be ousted by the Eagles one game away from the Super Bowl? That was with a LOADED defense???
Seriously, the dude ran for a grand in one season. not hard to do when you shun the gameplan and scramble a billion times, and im sure any -ahem- winning coach wants that sort of ignorance on their squad.
This reverse racism garbage has to stop, because you know, its not innuendo at all for Jackson to imply that some untalented white guy out there give that spot up for Vick, hes so deserving!
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8-08-2009 @ 12:07PM
Tasso Paris said...
While I support Jackson's exercise of his 1st Amendment he simply doesn't know what he is talking about Vick has been out for 2 yrs before that he led the league in QB fumbles and was never a gifted pocket passer .... I would like to see Vick get a shot and would definately tune in to watch but this isn't a race issue !!!! The NFL teams are privately owned the owners and their GM's make their own decisions ! NUFF SAID !
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8-08-2009 @ 12:07PM
individualterry said...
BULLSH** THIS IS A GRANDSTAND PLAY BY JACKSON, VICK WILL GET A CHANCE TO PLAY , HES TOO TALENTED NOT TO AND JACKSON KNOWS THIS !! NOW AFTER VICK GETS SIGNED JACKSON CAN TAKE CREDIT. WHY DO U PEOPLE BYE INTO THIS FRAUD?
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8-08-2009 @ 12:19PM
Havok said...
Is there a law that states a team HAVE to sign a player when he's out of jail?
Maybe the owners have a problem with signing a twisted individual that enjoys torturing animals. And that's no mentioning his attitude previous to his incarceration.
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8-08-2009 @ 12:25PM
ticalloway said...
this is a problem here...yes Vick been out for 2 years but u will never kno if he's still good if he don't get a chance...if a player like Tom Brady or Randy Moss left for 2 years...at least 10 teams will give them a chance to play...he's too talented to not be on a team...have him learn part of the playbook and try him out in pre-season...if he's good then keep him or trade him...if not then let him go....its simple as that...its not like he's going to get a contract to go against the salary cap...
and claytor...u must not know anything about skill...while Vick was a decent passer at best, his running abilities is what made him good. Any coach can tell u that stats are misleading and only someone don't kno much about football go by that
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8-08-2009 @ 12:55PM
claytor said...
Im not aware of skill?
Lol.
Unlike most viewers, ive had the luxury if you will, of watching Vick play here in Virginia from the get go. If you dont think they havent covered his every move all the way up to this moment more than other part of the country? youre mistaken.
The guy is a QUARTERBACK. He wasnt a very good one in the first place. Sure he can scramble but so could Steve Young, John Elway, Randall Cunningham, etc. What seperates Vick from those players? HE CANT PASS. Those guys could put up 3,000, 4,000 yard seasons passing, and nail down serious yaradage scrambling, maintaining quality completion percentages and qb ratings while taking their teams to the playoffs. Vick had ONE year where he "led" his team past 8 wins, threw for 20 touchdowns on the nose once, ONCE, thats a career high folks, cant break 2,500 yards a year passing, and for such a vaunted rusher has 21 career rushing touchdowns to his record...in seven years! Thats a whopping 3 rushing tds a year avg for the uber scrambler, Michael Vick.
Face it, the guys numbers are superficial compared to the undeserved hype hes had ever since he came into the league, hes struggled with every coach hes had, defying game plans, he ran when choosing to not checkdown or find the proper receiver, in truth, hes just not that good.
His career high passer rating is 75%, hes been out of the league for two years, happens to play the most difficult position in football, carries a crap ton of baggage for killing dogs, and running a multi state gambling ring, lied directly to his owner, head coach, and the commissioners face, and yet its the NFLs fault that some team hasnt run out and handed this guy another 120 mil dollar contract???
8-08-2009 @ 12:33PM
Sonia H. Vivar said...
I knew it would happen......this should be interesting.
svivar9087
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8-08-2009 @ 12:33PM
bkind7x said...
Integrity is revealed with improvement. One cannot cover much ground if his car is placed in the mud. It takes assistance of someone or something to put that car on a paved road. The vehicle can then cover some ground, get back to the office, and work on development and growth.
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8-08-2009 @ 12:47PM
janandrick84 said...
I wish Vick would just go away. I won't ever forgive what he did. Besides he wasn't that good of a quaterback anyhow.
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8-08-2009 @ 12:49PM
bkind7x said...
The team that pick's up Vick as a quarterback - becomes an automatic playoff contender.
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8-08-2009 @ 12:51PM
janandrick84 said...
Jesse ..why don't you try and help the so many others that are released from prison with minor crimes find work. Oh they wouldn't get you the limelight would they. Ride the shirttails of others. When you could do so much good it still comes down to me doesn't it.
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