Ovie Mughelli takes a tour of the Gulf Coast oil spill
Falcons fullback Ovie Mughelli took a tour of the Gulf Coast oil spill today. (Bob Andres / bandres@ajc.com)
BIRDLAND — Falcons fullback Ovie Mughelli, the team’s environmentally savvy activist, slipped behind enemy lines as part of a delegation of professional athletes to visit the Gulf Coast to explore the oil spill today.
Deep in the heart of New Orleans Saints territory, the boat Mughelli was on left from Myrtle Grove, Louisiana.
The group took a tour of the damage caused by the spill.
“On the whole boat ride you could see the booms trying to protect the coast, the wetlands and the marsh, but they weren’t doing the job,” Mughelli said via phone. “It wasn’t working 100 percent. There was still oil in the marsh. You can see where the oil had got into the pits of the marsh and devastated it. You could already see the process of where it was eroding the soil.”
Mughelli knows there are more environmental problems than what he could see from the boat.
Race car driver Leilani Munter.
“There is so much more going on underneath and that’s the scarier part,” Mughelli said. “There is twice as much going on underneath the water. There is more than what we can do with the resources that we have right now. It was a little disconcerting.”
Mughelli hopes to stress the connection between sports, health and a clean environment and why a full clean up could lead to more clean and renewable energy.
“I’m thrilled with the chance to come out here and see what’s going on first hand,” Mughelli said. “One of the most important things that you can do as an athlete is to make sure that other athletes, young and old, have a chance to do what we are doing, have clean water, have clean air, have clean beaches if you want to run on them to train. If we are supposed to be the responsible adults I feel like we are not doing our job right now. I’m very disappointed to see what we are leaving behind for the next generation to clean up.”
Other athletes on the tour included ex-NHL goalie Mike Richter, ex-Tampa Bay running back MikeAlstott, NHL player Andrew Ference, X game snowboarder Krista Bradford Ference, ARCA/NASCAR driver Leilani Munter, Olympic skier Stacy Cook, Olympic hammer thrower Loree Smith, Olympic race walker Gary Morgan and tennis star Chanda Rubin.
“This is not a (President Barack) Obama’s problem,” Richter said. “This is not a (British Petroleum) problem. This is everybody’s problem.”
Mughelli has been busy this offseason doing environment-friendly activities through his foundation. In addition to camps in Atlanta and his hometown of Charleston, he helped with a green event on Tybee Island.
The motto of Mughelli’s foundation is “our future is green.”
“I wish I could do more personally, but all I can do is spread awareness, help bring resources to the problem and hope that it is a wake-up call for us to move toward renewable energy, move away from oil and do right by our kids,” Mughelli said.
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130 comments Add your comment
hiramsaint
July 15th, 2010
7:10 pm
you said it correctly waynster ACCUSED , look up the definition and i’m sure you won’t find it means guilty. i could accuse you of stealing milk from a grocery but then wouldn’t i have to prove it or could some stranger agree with me ’cause he doesn’t like you , therefore making you guilty. thats your case waynester and it’s weaker than matty slushs’ arm
truth
July 15th, 2010
8:56 pm
The proof is in the pudding and I love pudding. Chocolate pudding, banana pudding, rice pudding, butterscotch pudding, vanilla pudding, puddin tang,……………
waynester
July 15th, 2010
10:01 pm
Ya’ll just can’t resist attempting to assign motives to me without even coming close to my true motivation, despite what I’ve written repeatedly. You keep jumping to the conclusion that I harbor some jealousy toward the Saints finally having a great season. Just like the Falcons, the Saints have been a laughingstock from their inception. If not for the league looking to avoid massive embarrassment, you’d still be among the perennial losers of the NFL–just like Atlanta. You got your win and couldn’t care less if it was fairly won, as evidenced by your myriad excuses for why that mean ol’ FBI man was trying to victimize your poor franchise. How dare he not go along with the peer pressure and stoop to actually recording the thefts, gathering PROOF of his accusations before leveling them?
hiramsaint, I failed to give you credit for admitting that such actions as documented by Santini are firing-level offenses. You’re right. If a nurse at a hospital or a pharmacy tech at CVS was captured on tape stealing painkillers they would immediately be fired and charges brought against them for violation of the Controlled Substances Act. The corporation involved wouldn’t attempt to conceal the offense from company headquarters and keep the thief on the payroll just to avoid embarrassment. They wouldn’t immediately try to change the focus to the guy who installed the security camera which caught the theft in progress and ferreted out other co-conspirators within the company. That’s not the way business is conducted except, apparently in New Orleans–a town founded by pirates and run by gangsters, mobsters and crooked politicians with the cops in their pockets–and for centuries. If you truly want to know what motivates me to continue this discussion long after it’s apparent that you two don’t “give a rat’s rear” about getting to the bottom of it–why not try asking instead of doing what you’re accusing me of–making it up as you go along…..
hiramsaint
July 15th, 2010
10:18 pm
i believe you’ve been asked but if i’m wrong then i’m asking now . you’re right about our history, we’re the australia of this country and proud of it. diversity- yes that what we are about because there is more to our history than our corrupt politics. it’s an ethnic melting pot that branches out like the limbs on one of our mighty live oaks. it’s one of the many things that makes new orleans and louisiana a most special place
hiramsaint
July 15th, 2010
10:28 pm
one more thing- they weren’t actually caught on tape one was said tobe vitt but it’s not substantiated and the other was said to be payton but no-one can tell who it is. i do find it hard to believe that those two were not aware of security cameras which makes the whole allegation dubious. i would also believe payton, as head coach would have no problem getting vicodin from a team or personal doctor. as a side note- i broke my leg a number of years ago and was given vicodin. i would say it’s more of a strong headache medicine than a pain killer but things being as they are , it still is a controlled substance though nowhere near the level of percoset
FB Ovie Mughelli Tours The Gulf Coast Oil Spill » Falcons Gab
July 15th, 2010
10:48 pm
[...] FB Ovie Mughelli was back at it in terms of doing good deeds off the field, as he was visiting the Gulf Coast on Wednesday where the massive oil spill is: Falcons fullback [...]
waynester
July 16th, 2010
12:29 am
Doesn’t it make your blood boil when you see an OJ Simpson get away with murder and go to jail over memorabilia? A Roman Polanski drugs and rapes a 13 year old girl and gets by with a psychiatric evaluation before skipping the country? Ben Rothlisberger attacks women and gets a 4 week suspension? Michael Vick finances a gambling ring killing innocent critters and has his own reality show and still is employed in the NFL? You see where I’m going with this. There is a double standard for “celebrities” and everyone else. Superbowl coaches with best selling ghost-written books slide for felonies that would put you or I under the jail. That blatant injustice enrages and motivates the hell out of me. That mobsters and crooked politicians receive short country club sentences while those who use the drugs they import get long prison terms royally pisses me off. A mom fails to report that her daughter was involved in a hit and run and goes to jail–an NFL GM fails to report the theft of hundreds of painkillers by his coaches and not only keeps his job, but is allowed to try and destroy the career of the guy who uncovered the thefts. That’s the reason I’m mad enough to be on here posting at midnight instead of watching the ESPY’s celebrate sports celebrities that ought to be in the slammer or rehab at least.
Doesn’t this disparity bother you? Or are you so caught up in hero worship and the jubilation of hoisting a trophy that you will ignore the injustice of it? I can’t– and couldn’t– ESPECIALLY if it was “my” team trying to pull this crap. What I can’t understand is– how can you?
ps
How is being positively identified on videotape by SECRETLY hidden cameras(at the time they suspected lower-level employees) not the same as being “caught on tape”? Lots of Americans are addicted to painkillers and are not media darlings–they are arrested and forced into rehab. I’m sure Peyton’s “connections” that you cited earlier would have a difficult time procuring the incredible number of pills that Vitt was stealing and passing along free-of-charge–no drug dealer would do that no matter how big a Who Dat fan he was. Lots of us live in continual pain and deal with it daily(car crash, in my case) without resorting to addictive black market medications–what’s Peyton’s excuse?
Answer: he doesn’t need one due to his celebrity status. Even when caught red-handed he can still make a fortune off his book and a stint in rehab may even help his sales. That is what motivates me and produces such a level of vitriol. I’m sure you’re tired of arguing with me and the feeling is mutual. I can’t promise not to bring it up again because I’m too passionate about justice(and football) to sit on the sidelines when I see things like this, but for now I’ll give it a rest. Good luck in 2010…..
SeenThisB4
July 16th, 2010
8:51 am
waynester: I just read most of your diatribes you put up last night. You are a classic hypocrite. CLASSIC.
You come on here and beat your chest to the drums of the high road, saying that you are only motivated by truth and justice, and that you don’t make personal attacks, and you condemn Saints management for disparaging an honest ex-FBI, ex-employee. And yet you disparage not only the entire citizenry of New Orleans but every citizen that’s ever lived here. Let me quote you too: ” That’s not the way business is conducted except, apparently in New Orleans–a town founded by pirates and run by gangsters, mobsters and crooked politicians with the cops in their pockets–and for centuries. ”
Your double standard is why I don’t take a word you say seriously. Gov. Edwards, OJ Simpson, & Michael Vick, even Roman Pulanski, they all got their day in a court of law. What you convienently forget is that Gov Edwards was a FOUR term Governor and he served his entire term even when he was being charged, Pulanski admitted his crime in court as a plea deal and skipped the country when the system gave him the opportunity to do so; you already know that OJ got let go by a jury that wouldn’t trust a white prosecutor, and Vick ran that dog operation for years while he was YOUR QB and sticking his middle finger up at you.
If Vitt, Payton, and Loomis are guilty of something, I AM more than content to let the judicial system settle it and dictate reparation. Will there be eventual justice doled out? I don’t know and I don’t care and even if there is, I am sure it won’t be enough to satisfy you. I’m not gonna lose any sleep over that, nor will I pretend to agonize over the unfair advantages the RICH, and the celebrity, enjoy, not just in this country but in every country on Earth.
.
NOR WILL I DISPARAGE AN ENTIRE CITY AND IT’S HISTORY BECAUSE OF ONE COMPLETE MORON ON A SPORTS BLOG.
I will not wish you a respondent “Good luck in 2010″ because I know you didn’t mean it, and neither would I. NOT TO YOU.
Your serve.
truth
July 16th, 2010
9:42 am
If your not a Falcon fan……………………..shut-up!!
SeenThisB4
July 16th, 2010
9:46 am
Make me!
GEAUX SAINTS!
WHO DAT SAYS GONNA BEAT DEM SAINTS!
SUPER CHAMPIONS: NEW ORLEANS SAINTS!!
truth
July 16th, 2010
11:52 am
Enter your comments here
waynester
July 16th, 2010
12:52 pm
B4
You’ve repeatedly said you don’t give a rip what I say, think or believe–so this is my final response to you(hiramsaint seems like a decent bloke, unlike yourself).
The only way I disparaged the “entire citizenry of NO and everyone…” is if every one of those folks are “pirates, gangsters, mobsters or crooked politicians/cops”.
Former Gov. Edwards was as crooked as a snake and deceived the people of La. for decades before getting caught. If that’s the type of leadership you want, more’s the pity.
At least you finally “took the high road” yourself In at last facing the possibility that the artful dodgers in the Saints front office have done something worthy of judicial review, but then you go and ruin it by saying you don’t care if justice is eventually doled out or not–and I’m the hypocrite? I tell you exactly why this situation bothers me as just another example of a long-running trend in jurisprudence and you suggest I’m insincere. You throw up your hands and say “well, that’s just the way it is–accept it” that’s precisely the attitude that allows evil to flourish. You’re right about one thing, though, the only way I’d be satisfied is if these celebs get the same exact sentence as Joe Crackhead for the same exact crime. That’s equality under the law, otherwise known as fairness and justice–but you’ve already said you don’t care and wouldn’t lose any sleep one way or another. Bless your heart–so you won’t wish me good luck because we disagree–well, you take the low road and I’ll take the high road and let the Judge of all make the call as to my sincerity or lack thereof. I’m not “returning serve” as this isn’t a game to me and I’m just as sick of your attitude as you seem to be with me personally.
I hope God’ll bless you (whether you believe it or not) and I forgive you for all the unfair personal remarks( whether you want me to or not). Over and out…..
SeenThisB4
July 16th, 2010
1:49 pm
Bud, God has already provided me a plethora of blessings and riches, so your hopes for it, are just a tad too late.
truth
July 16th, 2010
1:54 pm
SeenThisB4 is a fraud.
truth
July 16th, 2010
1:56 pm
WHO DAT WHO DAT WHO DAT GONNA GET HIT WITH THE MADDEN CURSE?! BREEEEEEEEEESSS DAT WHO!! Give it up for the one hit wonder Saints!! Rha Rha Ree, kick’m in the knee! Rha Rha Rass, kick’m in…………..the other knee.
SeenThisB4
July 16th, 2010
2:02 pm
Truth:
As Officer John McClane would say: Yippee Kah Yay motha…. LOL!
And let’s hear a hand for the Never-Have-Been falcants!!!!
hiramsaint
July 16th, 2010
3:34 pm
waynster- you’ve pronounced them guilty numerous times but have no evidence of it . see where i’m going? i understand your disdain for the judicial system but it is what it is. what are you gonna do ? promote yourself to GOD? well, thats what your doing by condemning those who have not been found guilty yet. what happens if they are found innocent and it was an extortion scheme. you’ll feel silly for what you’ve repeatedly posted because you didn’t actually know all the facts. thats exactly how it is right now man. niether you or i know all the facts and probably never will . leave the judgement to one more qualified than yourself
hiramsaint
July 16th, 2010
3:38 pm
seenthisb4– i’ll bet that truth has emotionally scarred you with those most hienous and demoralizing attacks! will you sleep tonight ? will you be able to function in the world anymore?. will you need some therapy? OH THE HUMANITY OF IT ALL!!!!… oh yeah , i almost forgot .. TWODAT!!!!!!
SeenthisB4
July 16th, 2010
4:14 pm
Hey Himmie poo, you gonna “hook up” with me later on tonight? I got a TWODAT I want to show you.
hiramsaint
July 16th, 2010
6:08 pm
truth- not gonna work. man you got no imagination
waynester
July 16th, 2010
7:16 pm
hiramsaint
Already said so long to B4, didn’t mean to ignore you. You’ve been posting on here for a while and generally show good humor with your mostly harmless ribbing. That’s cool, I’ve got a great sense of humor about most things but not this. I hope you (and anyone else for that matter) never have to experience it yourself–but washing your hands of the situation–”it is what it is, what are you going to do” won’t do anything to change what’s wrong. Just because “we don’t know all the facts and probably never will”(reminds me of Pontius Pilate asking ‘what is truth’ suggesting that the truth is unknowable) doesn’t mean we shouldn’t exercise sound judgement based on the facts available to us. If my judgement is wrong I’ll feel more than just silly– I’ll have to pay for it in spades as I believe we’ll be judged as we judge others. If we see something we believe is wrong it’s our duty to agitate for change until it happens. For now, I’ve agitated you enough– seeing as you sorta agree that I have sufficient reason to be intolerant of such fundamental unfairness. As for you cohort B4, the man won’t even accept a kindness. He’s more to be pitied than reviled. Again, bless you and may the best team win (fairly, of course)…..
hiramsaint
July 16th, 2010
8:53 pm
have a good weekend waynester. the answer will come oneday to this curious situation. i agree about the fundamental unfairness thing going with athletes, stars, GOV OFFICIALS , but i also believe in due process and without a reasonable doubt. in my view, due process is not finished and there is a huge doubt due to the entire circumstance and how it evolved. see ya’ on the next blog
waynester
July 16th, 2010
9:16 pm
Thanks!
Over and out….
SeenThisB4
July 16th, 2010
10:07 pm
Let me get this straight, a guy with a blog handle of “Truth” is impersonating me by changing a capitol “T” to a small “t” ? Wow, talk about hypocritical! That makes anything Waynester ever said completely pale in comparison. Talk about low! LOL! You should be ashamed of yourself Truth, at least your comarade in arms, Waynester, isn’t an imposter.
And hey Waynester, I look forward to future dialogue with you, but next time, keep the topic on the happenings on the football field.
Truth: KMA!
Hiramsaint: Thanks for exposing the impersonator. Have a good weekend gentlemen, and you too Truth.
hiramsaint
July 16th, 2010
11:09 pm
seenthisb4 — he does it all the time. i know , i’ve seen i’ve read. he never talks football just crap. i on the other hand do both with much wit and vicodintrol
truth
July 17th, 2010
4:27 pm
Sorry SeenThisB4……not me.
truth
July 17th, 2010
6:54 pm
I think it funny that you two won’t go and talk “football” on aints site. The both of you (hi-i-ram SeenThisB4) couldn’t handle real football talk. If you want to I’m game. That is, if you can. Untill them I will keep bait’n my hook and reel’n yall in.
SeenThisB4
July 17th, 2010
7:03 pm
Not much football to talk about, hell, even your own beat writers are writing about football players making charity visits, cheerleaders making calendars, mascot wall posters, sports agents getting ready for the lockout, etc. There’s about 13 days left before training camps open up, then we’ll have more real football to talk about.
truth
July 18th, 2010
8:59 pm
………or a Madden curse to talk about. The Vikings are chopping at the bit to play you guys again.
SeenThisB4
July 19th, 2010
7:16 am
The viqueens? Give me a break, the only thing they are chopping at the bit at is figuring out if they have a quarterback! Madden curse? Come on dude, this is New Orleans! We got plenty of voodoo that will eat up and spit out that Madden Curse. Madden Curse indeed!