Why? Who knows, but Rev. Jackson and New York Times writer William C. Rhoden should do a little more fact checking and use some common sense before they start accusing the NFL owners for collusion to keep Michael Vick out of the league.
Here is the article that Mr. Rhoden wrote the other day in it’s entirity… Wondering About Opportunity as Vick’s Wait Goes On
I have some major problems with some of the statements made by Jesse Jackson. Basically the whole point of him getting involved in this, and the article alone is annoying, so I am going to break down the piece and shred it. Let’s get it on.
“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.”
First of all, why do you want to make it an issue, and who are you to demand any type of explanation from anyone on how they run their business? And what are you a pro scout? Have you been holding private pro-day workouts with Michael Vick? Vick is a great athlete and extremely exciting, but he was never a very good QB. People didn’t watch Falcons games to see him lead his team to a victory throwing the ball around the field. They watched to see if he can break a big run. Add the fact he has been out of football for over 2 years, what makes you think he would be any better?
“Democracy does not guarantee success,” Jackson said. “Democracy guarantees an opportunity. It’s not fair to de facto try to lock him out of his right to compete. If he can’t make the team, don’t let him play. If he can, let him work.”
You’re right democracy does guarantee an oppurtunity, he had his and he blew it. Democracy doesn’t guarantee a second chance. No one is trying to lock him out. Maybe if he didn’t lie to Falcons Owner Arthur Blank about his involvement in the dog fighting ring, he wouldn’t have been cut. I’m sure some teams are discussing bringing him in. And anyone actually paying attention to the NFL knows the Packers have discussed him.
He said that in some ways, Vick’s attempt to re-enter the N.F.L. was similar to Jackie Robinson’s entering Major League Baseball.
I certainly see no way to compare the two. Are you kidding me? I am not even going to touch this one.
“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?” Jackson asked.
Umm, no. He hasn’t paid his debt to the NFL. He is being considered for full reinstatement by Week 6.
Rhoden Wrote This:
“For many, the nonnegotiable issue in the Vick case is cruelty to animals. But let’s climb off our high horses. We know many fans hunt. They track down innocent animals, blast them with shotguns, shoot them out of the sky with rifles — for sport. Some take off animals’ heads and mount them as trophies.
Perfectly legal.
But the issue here is that Vick served his time in prison for breaking the law. The issue is degrees of cruelty. Who is worse: someone who tortures in the name of sport and then apologizes, or the one who kills in the name of sport and continues to hunt?”
Whether you agree with hunting or not, I personally can’t give a shit less, the fact is that it is “Perfectly Legal”, get over it. Dog Fighting is illegal. Plain and simple.
Jackson pointed out that Vick had satisfied the demands of the legal system. Now, like thousands of young men who are released from prison each year, Vick is eager to become a productive citizen. So far, he has been unable to find a job and his options are limited.
“One of the big issues of re-entry is that when people come out, can they get gainful employment?” Jackson said.
Alright, this is the statement that bothers me the most. What? Unable to find a job? There are millions of unemployed Americans that can’t find a job. Times are rough, what can I tell you. I seem to remember him having a construction job that paid 10 dollars an hour. Gainful employment? He can come work for me on Long Island at Stop and Shop. It’s a union job, full medical, dental, vision, paid holidays, overtime on Sundays. What else does a man need? He will feel right at home, 2 of the guys I work with served jail time as well. They had no problem finding a job when they were released from prison. I don’t see the problem.
Oh wait, I’m sorry I forgot the Orlando Franchise of the UFL drafted Vick. Why doesn’t he go play for them. There is the opportunity that democracy guarantees.
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