Under normal circumstances, a photo of an athlete drinking is not news. But Michael Vick isn't just an athlete anymore, he's the most scrutinized one in sports today.So when Vick appeared in a New York Post photo sipping a vodka and pineapple juice, the discussion turned to whether Vick violated conditions mandated by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
Tony Dungy, the former NFL coach who has served as Vick's mentor, felt the need to address the photo, according to Peter King's column on SI.com.
"Michael, you can't do that," Dungy reportedly said to Vick.
In Goodell's letter to Vick upon his reinstatement July 27, the commissioner wrote that "prohibitions regarding drug and alcohol use" were included.
According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, an Eagles spokesman also confirmed it was OK for Vick to drink alcohol, and that it was "not in conflict with terms of his probation or reinstatement with the NFL."
Why all the fuss over one cocktail at a Philadelphia airport bar?
Well, for one, Vick has a giant bull's-eye on his fresh No. 7 Eagles jersey. The photo was reportedly snapped on the night after his first practice since being released from prison. Many anti-Vick observers will use something like this as ammunition to say Vick is already slipping.
It's not fair, but unfortunately that's just the way it is. Vick could behave like Mother Teresa right now and still be booed endlessly. Even though enjoying a drink after serving 18 months in federal prison is innocuous -- there's even a whole Web site dedicated to drunk athlete photos -- Vick's deed will be held against him, and someone will likely even grill him about it in an interview.
Try as he might, Vick won't be able to escape the magnifying glass.
Latest Michael Vick Images
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb (5) practices with Michael Vick (7) and the team on Monday, August 24, 2009, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Ed Hille/Philadelphia Inquirer/MCT)
MCT
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb (5) practices with Michael Vick (7) and the team on Monday, August 24, 2009, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Ed Hille/Philadelphia Inquirer/MCT)
MCT
Philadelphia Eagles quarterbacks Michael Vick, right, and Donovan McNabb practices at NFL football training camp in Philadelphia, Monday, Aug. 24, 2009. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
AP
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick practices at NFL football training camp in Philadelphia, Monday, Aug. 24, 2009. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
AP
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick practices at NFL football training camp in Philadelphia, Monday, Aug. 24, 2009. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
AP
Philadelphia Eagles quarterbacks Michael Vick, center, Adam DiMichele, left, and A.J. Feeley, rear right, practices at NFL football training camp in Philadelphia, Monday, Aug. 24, 2009. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
AP
Philadelphia Eagles quarterbacks Michael Vick (7) and Donovan McNabb (5) talk during practice at the Novacare Complex in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Sunday, August 23, 2009. (Charles Fox/Philadelphia Inquirer/MCT)
MCT
An Indianapolis Colts fans protest Michael Vick signing with the Philadelphia Eagles during a preseason NFL football game in Indianapolis, Indiana, Thursday, August 20, 2009. (Yong Kim/Philadelphia Daily News/MCT)
MCT
Kella Rothenberg of Carmel, Ind., holds up a sign about Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick, during an NFL preseason football game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Eagles in Indianapolis, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Philadelphia Eagles quarterbacks Michael Vick, left, and Kevin Kolb, participate in afternoon practice at NFL football training camp in Philadelphia, Monday, Aug. 17, 2009. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
AP
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 18)
8-25-2009 @ 2:38AM
sprofc said...
Get a life...the man had a drink,here the QB of Pittsburg is being sued for rape and that act is off the front page....Give me a break !
Reply
8-25-2009 @ 6:17AM
Melinda said...
I so agree with you on this. Why is Vick being put under a microscope? What about all those ball players who are doing steroids,and drugs. He is human. As far as many are concerned poor Vick will be paying for this one mistake for the rest of his life. I think he made a mistake and is learning from it.
Where is the news about the QB from Pittsburg? What makes him any different than Vick? Absolutely nothing. Leave Vick alone.
8-25-2009 @ 8:45AM
KIng Fredamehama said...
Pittsburgh is spelled with an "h" you moron- and the reason Ben is not on the front pages is because he is innocent. I agree withyou about Vick- but don't drag Roethlisberger into it.
8-25-2009 @ 9:58AM
Susan said...
Ben Rothlesburg hasn't been convicted of rape, nor has he been charged. There is a difference you know. Duh.
8-25-2009 @ 10:23AM
stroles488 said...
The QB of Pittsburg is innocent until proven guilty. This is about Vick who's still high on my list of athletes. He had his day in court, and there are those who think he hasn't done enough to pay his debt to society. I realize what he did was terrible, but didn't we all do something stupid at Vick's age? I agree with you. Let the man have a drink or two. I see nothing wrong with his drinking, without becoming drunk and disorderly.
8-25-2009 @ 7:57PM
hookmrl said...
vick cried he was sorry BS he did this for 6 years dont fall for this crap people
8-25-2009 @ 9:47PM
seeyalaterbaby said...
And you haven't been following the news, the accuastion is false against the Pittsburgh QB
8-25-2009 @ 10:38PM
mkris10sen said...
He is not being sued for rape. All charges where dropped. Turns out the accuser was just some money hungry whore trying to make a buck. Do you really think Big Ben would have to rape a woman? I'm sure he has them lining up at his door flinging themselves at him.
8-26-2009 @ 1:20AM
christy43540 said...
he is being SUED for rape, not being charged for it. As a female, i doubt he did it! she just wants attention. Vick IS guilty of his crimes.
8-26-2009 @ 1:40AM
Lance A. of Texas said...
To quote this article: "...Try as he might, Vick won't be able to escape the magnifying glass..." WELL, YOU ARE DAMN STRAIGHT Vick will not escape being watched closely! Jeez! The man just got out of prison for murdering dogs and lying about it through his teeth! OF COURSE he is going to be watched, and DESERVEDLY SO. Just DO NOT WATCH HIM PLAY WITH THE EAGLES, AMERICA! Michael Vick is a disgrace to the sport and a reminder of how low our standards are becoming by letting him back in the spotlight to taint pro sports EVEN MORE in the eyes of our youth. He proves that you don’t become a saint just because you do time! BOYCOTT THE EAGLES AND MICHAEL VICK UNTIL HE IS GONE!
8-26-2009 @ 3:38AM
pugz said...
people like dungy are going to be busy making excuses for this loser in the weeks ahead as he shows his true self to the world, just watch.
8-26-2009 @ 8:28AM
GMartin997 said...
Michael better get wise to the fact that he can no longer do just anything he wants, no matter how trivial or innocent it might seem. He's in a very bright spotlight now, and things anybody else can do without causing a stir, he no longer can. The Bigots and hypocrits are out in droves to put him down and drive him out of the NFL; and nothing is going to go unnoticed.
8-26-2009 @ 8:58AM
dayna66 said...
do you people not read...it is part of the agreement he made(not to have a drink) to come back to football! he may be a great player, but is a loser and a liar as a human being.
8-25-2009 @ 2:45AM
cjgdnight said...
News flash.... the article isn't about Dante... he will get his chance.
Reply
8-25-2009 @ 2:52AM
cjgdnight said...
He shouldn't be drinking... Dungy is right. although crudely expressed, Jay has a good point... Vick shouldn't be doing these things.. not even one drink... Tony Dungy put his reputation on the line for this character and he should honor what Tony has done for him... just another (albeit small) example of Vick not being appreciative.
Reply
8-25-2009 @ 10:51AM
spnxtlvl said...
Tony Dungy's reputation????
Are you kidding me. M.Sick MURDERED/TORTURED/HAD DOGS RAPED! The hell with reputation.
People saying..."He only had 1 drink" PLEASE!
One slip up and M.Sick is done! M.Sick thinks now that he is playing along side McNabb and has Dungy's blessing he is untouchable again. Can't you see it for what it is worth? He will screw up again. It's in his DNA.
8-26-2009 @ 8:36AM
GMartin997 said...
You mean he shouldn't be doing them where people can see him and photograph him. Right? In his case discretion is more than the better part of valor, it's mandatory.
8-25-2009 @ 2:52AM
dtrix10 said...
I don't give a crap if it isn't about Dante.
One and the same.
Dante ran down a man and killed him.
Direct that rage at him when he gets out of the pokie like you're doing now.
Reply
8-25-2009 @ 9:03AM
BDSp'rkl Peaches said...
I asure you, that if Dante is released and allowed to play football again, there will be the exact same, or higher, level of hatred towards him as well. However, you should be clever enough to realize that Dante is NOT the one who has been given a second chance and failed everyone who offered their hand to help him back up. That is Vick. Stop putting this man on a pedestal. ANY other man who committed these crimee would still be in jail...just like the other men who were charged and are still serving jail time for their role in this. Why is Vick free, and they are not? What you supporters of Vick fail to realize is that he committed a crime, or he wouldn't have gone to jail. He had the ability to prevent himself from committing the crime, but chose not to. Any other man released from prison has to FIGHT and BEG for a job...ANYWHERE. This scumbag is handed the opportunity to completely regain all that he has lost, and the first day in public, he's back to acting like the ghetto drunk he is. Nice role model. Doesn't matter if it was one drink, or 5 drinks. A stipulation was placed on him prohibiting the use of alcohol. As was expected, he again went back on his word. But keep raising him higher than Jesus. I'm not the one who's going to look stupid for supporting him when he comes crashing down again.
8-25-2009 @ 4:40PM
dlullery said...
Donte maned up for what he did. He did notno lie about what happened, he admitted it, and has accepted his punishment. What both of these people did was wrong, but one handled it better than the other. Vick lied and lied and lied. He is not sorry for what he did, he is sorry he got caught.