PITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) - Terrell Owens wants Michael Vick to be reinstated immediately by the NFL, and said any extension of the quarterback's suspension would be similar to "kicking a dead horse."
Speaking after the Buffalo Bills training camp practice Sunday morning, the star receiver referred to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell's handling of Vick's status as "unfair." Owens also lobbied to have more of the league's high-profile players voicing their opinion in support of Vick and asked the NFL Players Association to become more involved.
"I think he's done the time for what he's done. I don't think it's really fair for him to be suspended four more games," Owens said, referring to reports that the NFL is considering to further punish Vick. "It's almost like kicking a dead horse in the ground. ... The guy's already suffered so much. And to add a four-game suspension on a two-year prison sentence, that's ridiculous."
Vick met with Goodell this week but has yet to learn when he will be allowed to resume his NFL career. The former Falcons star was suspended indefinitely in August 2007 after he admitted bankrolling a dogfighting operation.
Vick has served a 23-month federal sentence and was freed from home confinement on July 20. He must still serve three years' probation.
Owens said Vick deserves a second chance.
"Why shouldn't he? I mean, there's a lot more guys around the league that have done far more worst things than that and gotten second chances," Owens said.
Owens said he would welcome Vick as a teammate.
"Michael Vick is a guy that really hasn't any character issues besides what he got a prison sentence for, so why not?" he said.
Bills safety George Wilson, the team's NFLPA representative, agreed with Owens.
"How do you bring a man out of suspension and then suspend him again? I mean, he's paid his debt," Wilson said. "I think you just continue to hold him down by bringing him back and then suspend him."
Wilson said he intends to discuss Vick's status with Owens and other teammates to determine whether to bring the Bills players' position to the union.
"We'll see where it goes, but I think Terrell is right in stating his position," Wilson said. "This is an instance where perhaps our players association needs to try to get involved."
The union's position has been that it will support Vick on a personal level until Goodell decides how to proceed. NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith met with Vick this past week, and intends to discuss the player's status with Goodell.
The Bills have declined comment on discussing Vick.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/9...reinstate-Vick
I agree that he should be back in the league because he did serve his sentence and should get a second chance, I don't think a 4 game suspension is too harsh. T.O. needs to learn how to shut the up and mind his own business.
I disagree. I think T.O. standing up for Vick is a good thing. I also think that more guys should rally around him. He paid his debt to society. He's already been suspended, along with serving a prison sentence. I applaud T.O.'s comments, and hope to hear from more athletes on behalf of Vick. T.O. is right when he said people have done far worse and been given a second chance, like Leonard Little.
If Roger believes that Vick's troubles are truly behind him he should just reinstate him and be done with it. Piling on like this doesn't accomplish anything. He served his time (more than he should have) and has had his life displaced to the most extreme degree possible. Its over. Lessons have been learned and the little rich black guy probably knows better than to up again. We don't need Roger condecending standing over him flexing his power and might. Let it be already. If he wants this guy to turn his life around and be a productive member of the league then quit piling on.
I agree that Vick should just be back already.
But at the same time, I think he is making sure that Vick stands as an example for others, showing the price to pay for such stupid actions. I really hope that he does succeed when he comes back. He could really be a great figure and story for the NFL if he does so.
should be game 2 not 6
idiots
For the first time ever I actually agree with Terrell. How do you bring a player off of suspension only to suspend him again?
Well, firstly, he hasn't been suspended for this particular action...and it's been stated already that the state's punishment isn't the NFL's punishment. I don't know why we are complaining about this..if any of us did something like this, we'd be fired...Michael should be ecstatic about this.For the first time ever I actually agree with Terrell. How do you bring a player off of suspension only to suspend him again?
People go to prison all the time and don't have a job waiting for them when they get out. Most of them can't find a job period. Why does this s bag deserve a second chance and others don't?
I don't see any of you protesting all the jobs that don't hire convicted felons.
Additionally, who here would still have their job if they got convicted of a felony and went to jail?
Who here would go to jail for fighting dogs?
Um...anybody..if they got caught..it's against the law.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_fighting
North America
Main article: Dog fighting in the United States
Dog fighting is illegal in all North American countries.
According to a study by the College of Law of Michigan State University published in 2005, in the United States, dog fighting was once completely legal and was sanctioned and promoted during the colonial period (1600s through 1776) and continuing through the Victorian era in the late 19th century. However, by the early twentieth century, the brutality inherent in dog fighting was no longer tolerated by American society. It has become increasingly outlawed, a trend which has continued into the 21st century.
As of 2008, dog fighting is a felony in all states. It is against the law (and often a felony) to even attend a dog fighting event, regardless of direct participation. According to authorities, dog fighting is increasingly practiced by gangs in low income areas of the United States, and is linked to other unlawful activities, such as illegal gambling and pros ution.
Despite legality issues, dogs are still commonly used for fighting purposes all across the continent. The American Pit Bull Terrier is the most popular breed used for fighting, but foreign breeds, such as the Dogo Argentino (used widely in South America) and Presa Canario (used in Spain) are also gaining popularity.
A 2003 Associated Press poll indicated that 81% of Americans over the age of 18 rated dog fighting as America's most hated sport.[3]
I agree 100%. Dude is getting off easy with only a 6 game suspension. Especially since he'll be able to play 2 preseason games and go to every practice.
Give me a break. If this was ur average Joe in America he would not have gone to jail. But it was Vick. Sometimes it does not pay to be rich and famous.
Vick paid his dues. Let him play.
Yeah because federal charges never apply to average joes? That's pretty much the stupidest comment I've seen in this argument so far. So with your logic, pretty much every felon was at one time famous
WTF is Roger Goodell trying to prove with this 4 game suspension? He already served his time Vick's not getting any younger & Goodell is ruining his chance of signing with a team & getting his career back on track.
Dude....NFL players get away with ing MURDER....For real. No bull . I am going to repeat it for you. NFL players get away with MURDER. So you must be thinking, cuz logic dictates this, why in the can a NFL player get away with MURDER of a human but not a dog?Logic is sooo important to you. You are such a logical dude. First do u get out of the house, do you read the paper and/or do you watch the news?
If it was a human the guy would have walked or spent a few months in the cling. But PETA jumped down this asses face because he was a star. Some would argue the face of the NFL. 100 million dollar man.It was not about the dog fighting it was about PETA getting attention. When the have you heard about anybody going to jail for dog fighting? They acted like Vick was the head of some mafia family. This guy did this as a ing lark, a hobby, some little form of entertainment for him and his buddies. Without looking it up in some tiny lil place on the internet, when have you heard of anyone going to jail for beating a animal to death let alone having two animals fight each other.
What did PETA do after Vick went to jail, they made jokes about it. They made freaken Christmas cards. They kept embarassing themselves. BECAUSE,,,,this is a very important part for you...They want attention. They don't give a what kind of attention they get, they just want attention and Vick was the best goddamn thing that happen to PETA in the history of PETA. If Vick was not famous, this would have been swept under the rug.
When professionals speak of NFL teams signing Vick what is the biggest reasons they say teams want to stay away from him? PETA. People will gather outside a practice facility,stadium,houses of a person that goes to dog fights but if a player makes it rain at a strip bar and people get shot they are no where to be found. Logic..hahaha
are you completely insane? Anyone who gets caught fighting dogs gets prison time...Not only did he fight the dogs, it was his house that they fought at. If you think this was a case of "the PAIN of being a celebrity," you're completely ignorant. He got off easy...he ing electrocuted dogs, and threw them against the wall until they couldn't move. That is illegal...it is a felony. Police don't let people go for felonies.
You go spend "a few months in the clink" for electrocuting dogs and see if you have a job when you get back. Dumbass....6 weeks of not playing in games is getting off easy.
Prove it.
Roger Goodell has said many times that prison is not the NFL's punishment, that they will be seperate. Michael Vick is going to be able to play after week 6, most likely, but at the same time, can play in 2 preseason games, and can practice in every practice. He is a role model, like it or not. It's part of the deal when you're in the public eye and are the highest paid QB in NFL history. When the guy that everyone is supposed to look up to becomes a convicted felon, he needs to get a suspension. Adam Jones served prison time and then got a suspension. It's a precedent. Goodell made the rule a long time ago, and it will stand.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
