The Eagles are anticipating a full-on spectacle when Michael Vick makes his debut on Thursday night, but the organization is trying to prevent things from getting out of hand.Updating an earlier report stating that the NAACP and multiple other civil rights groups were planning a "massive demonstration" in support of Vick prior to Thursday's game, ESPN's Sal Paolantonio says that the Eagles have now asked the NAACP to cancel the rally so as to avoid an "ugly scene."
J. Whyatt Mondesire, president of the Philadelphia chapter of the NAACP, told ESPN that as many as a half-dozen organizations were planning to march in front of Lincoln Financial Field Thursday.
The NAACP has not yet announced whether it will comply with the Eagles' request.
No animal rights organizations have announced any plans for anti-Vick demonstrations on Thursday, though it's probably a safe bet that there will be some dissenters amongst the crowd.
Vick has not played a down in the NFL since Week 17 of the 2006 season when Atlanta visited, ironically enough, Philadelphia. His legal history since then, which included a 19-month prison stay on dogfighting charges, has been well documented, turning Vick into a polarizing public figure.
Eagles head coach Andy Reid said that Vick will see action on Thursday against Jacksonville, possibly even alongside current Philly quarterback Donovan McNabb. Per the terms of his current NFL suspension, Vick is eligible to compete in Philadelphia's final two preseason games, but could be forced to sit out as many as six regular season games.
Latest Michael Vick Images
FILE -- This is an Aug. 14, 2009, file photo showing Michael Vick, right, along with Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid during a news conference in Philadelphia. Eagles tailgaters will be out in force long before Michael Vick takes the field on Thursday. So will animal advocates _ on the other side of town. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
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FILE - In this Sunday, Aug. 16, 2009, file photo, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick throws during NFL football practice at team's practice facility in Philadelphia. Vick will make his preseason debut for the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night, Aug. 27, 2009. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick practices at NFL football training camp in Philadelphia, Monday, Aug. 24, 2009. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
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Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick practices at NFL football training camp in Philadelphia, Monday, Aug. 24, 2009. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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Comments (Page 1 of 18)
I guess the NAACP should forgive all those slave owners who tortured their kinship then.
can't wait to see what excuse they come up with when he starts to show his "true colors" [yes, the pun was intentional]. this idiot acted as if his **** didn't stink and had a massive ego long before any of this started and it's only a matter of time before he slips-up and embarrasses himself AGAIN!!
I agree. I've paid my dues for slavery which I didn't even participate in and now I would like all the loud mouth racist people to STFU and allow me an chance to earn a living. Did the NAACP ever make a statement about the horrors of what Vick did? or is just the poor injustices heaped upon another poor black man. The NAACP is a joke.
im not racist and i think neither are you- but that is a great point
Slaves are dogs
Amen to that Bozallan. I wonder if Al Sharpton would agree with the statement, that of foregiving our fore fathers for enslaving blacks during the civil war era? Whites have been paying the price for over 100 years and todays blacks cannot give up on that crutch for their own failures. We will forgive Vicks if blacks drop the "is it because I am black?' attitude.
J. Whyatt Mondesire, Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson are the biggest racists of all. If the NAACP wants to picket PETA, they should go to their headquarters. The Eagles did nothing to them, yet they will cause a disturbance at the Eagles facility? The three racists above actually PROMOTE racism because without it, they wouldn't have a job. Yasser Arafat did the same thing to his people, stoking the fire while claiming he wanted peace. Liars. All of them.
Your comment is as ignorant as it gets, slavery was 400 years ago and we voted in Obama to cleans our souls for our sins, what are you going to do for the dogs!
Alright #8 to cleanse the dog souls next we will elect rin tin tin and lassie for vp, hell they couldn`t do much worse.
Those people never paid any sort of debt to society. They did what they did and got clean away with it.
So much hate and anger guys! There is a cure! "ENZYTE"!
What price has anyone paid for slavery in the U.S.A.?
Slavery was, is, and always will be wrong. If someone feels guilty that their fore-fathers and mothers participated and benefitted from this
terrible activity then that's a good thing, because
that means you have become more civilized than your
grandparents.
THE NAACP SHOULD TRY TO HELP THE BLACK RACE AS A WHOLE INSTEAD OF PLAYING AL SHARPTON ON ONE MEANINGLESS DISPUTE.
Are you comparing dogs to humans?
BRAVO!!!!!!
COME ON !!! Not even close to the same thing. You can't compare hhuman life and years of oppression to a dog ....get a grip
Why would they forgive slave owners? Slave owners or any white people were never punished for any crimes against minorities. Maybe your generation should be punished for the sins of your ancestors then you can be forgiven.
Dude, stop being stupid. Comments like this just make you sound STUPID!
Blacks vs. whites. Black vs. animal lovers. Blacks vs. alien invaders from outer space. Why can't it just be people who think that Vick has paid his debt vs. animal lovers or all people for equality vs. ignorant people who want to keep racism alive. Oh, thats right, cause half of that group would be black.
COME ON DUDES!
Skins... because it is the NAACP running the demonstration else I understand and agree with your comment.