Atlanta Falcons to Vick: Can I borrow 20 million dollars?

Posted on October 6th, 2007. Written by Emmett Jones.

The mission statement of the National Football League Players Association is as follows,

“We, The National Football League Players Association … Pay homage to our predecessors for their courage, sacrifice, and vision; … Pledge to preserve and enhance the democratic involvement of our members; … Confirm our willingness to do whatever is necessary for the betterment of our membership – To preserve our gains and achieve those goals not yet attained.”

Pretty impressive right? If you’re a football player its good to know that you have this wonderful union looking out for your better interests (wow, they do whatever is necessary for the betterment of their membership…that’s me!). That’s probably what Michael Vick was thinking when the Falcons went after him to try and recoup $20 million dollars worth of bonus money (man…this whole dog fighting thing escalated pretty quickly…Fortunately, I know I have the NFLPA looking out for me on this one…I can at least count on them). Then, he probably remembered this statement,

“We believe the criminal conduct to which Mr. Vick has pled guilty today cannot be condoned under any circumstances. Speaking personally, as I have previously stated, the practice of dog fighting is offensive and completely unacceptable. I can only hope that Mr. Vick, who is a young man, will learn from this awful experience.”

– Gene Upshaw, head of the NFLPA

That was the vote of confidence Michael Vick was looking for, I’m sure. It almost seems as if the NFLPA was going to completely disregard their duties because of the heinous nature of Vick’s act. Apparently since then though, cooler heads have prevailed, because lawyers for the NFLPA defended Vick in court on Thursday, arguing that the Falcons cannot recover the money based on provisions in the collective bargaining agreement. A decision on the matter is expected on October 12th.

I certainly don’t condone dog fighting, but I do condone doing your job even when its an ugly job. Obviously Upshaw (and, I assume many others) didn’t condone Vick’s actions, I just wonder how close they came to turning a blind eye? Guess we’ll never know.

ESPN: Falcons seek $20M from Vick

Yahoo! Sports: Union attorney: Falcons don’t have right to recoup bonus money paid to Falcons QB Vick

Related –

Sports Business Digest: Mike Vick…well at least he’s fast right?

Sports Business Digest: Reconstructing Michael Vick

1 Responses »

1. 

   sportsattitude

   May 18, 2008 • 1:01 pm

   I recall what the Falcons’ situation was like pre-Vick and I don’t envy them post-Vick. Atlanta has always struck me as an odd sports town. Their size gets them big-time events but I’ve not so convinced their fans deserve them. Honestly, I always felt Atlanta should have continued to play in an outdoor stadium. I grew up in an era of domeless sports, and I think the game has a certain appeal to folks when it is played outside. Whether fans in Atlanta would show up in greater numbers just because they are outdoors…well, likely not. It’s just that if they want that franchise to grow and prosper from here on out all sorts of strategies should be considered to get the local fanbase “back in the game.” That Dome will wear out in the not to distant future and one thing I would definitely look at would be an outdoor venue. Maybe the NFL would no longer be inclined to have the occasional Super Bowl there anymore, but a football only stadium designed uniquely with the Falcons in mind (similar to Tampa Bay’s) might not hurt their overall need to overhaul the mindset in Atlanta.

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