Vick’s return will illustrate division in Atlanta
Except for this 34-yard run against Chicago, Michael Vick has been a non-factor for Eagles.
As you might have read, Michael Vick expects, “to get a great reaction from the crowd. It’s going to be a standing ovation,” when he returns to Atlanta next Sunday with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Well, I will agree with him to this point. He will get a reaction.
When Vick was at the top of his game, he united this city more than any other athlete. But when he declined and then train-wrecked his career and the Falcons’ franchise with his off-field issues, he divided Atlanta. Those hard-core Vick fans who bought Falcons season tickets, more to see him than the team, have defended him throughout and blamed others for his faults, even when he admitted guilt. Others have refused to let go of their hatred, saying Vick should never have been allowed back in the NFL.
Loading ...Neither group should surprise anybody. This is sports. Sports is emotional. Emotion often clouds judgment and objectivity.
A divide still exists and Sunday’s Falcons-Eagles game will illustrate that. Some will stand and cheer their hero’s return. Some will stand and hurl insults at the man they’ll never forgive. Others will ignore the whole thing and spend more time on the hot-dog-or-nachos debate.
Of all the “returns” sports has experienced, this will be one of the strangest. Vick has been a non-factor for the Eagles. Coach Andy Reid has struggled to work the “wildcat” offense into the game plan, and Vick has admitted he’s not thrilled with it anyway. He makes cameo appearances in games. He’s only 3-for-9 as a passer and has rushed for 65 yards, with 34 coming on one carry against Chicago two weeks ago.
When Vick returns to the Georgia Dome Sunday, he’ll mostly watch Donovan McNabb run the Philadelphia offense. He’s an afterthought for Reid. I’m guessing once the game begins, he’ll become an afterthought for most fans — at least until he makes an appearance. Then there will be noise. Lots of noise. We’ll hear and see the division.
How will you react? I realize any Michael Vick blog is combustible. But I’ve got a poll up asking which side of Vick fence you stand on (boo, cheer, don’t care), and feel free to weigh in with your thoughts.
One final request: It’s OK to be passionate with your debate. But please keep commenting clean and free of obscenities and racial overtones, otherwise I will quickly close the forum. Thanks.
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558 comments Add your comment
HateCity?
December 1st, 2009
3:13 pm
Justine, I totally agree with you and Danny Heatley was at least purged from the Trashers roster. The issue totally breaks down to a racial issue in this city. African Americans think that white people hate them no matter what and white people think that African Americans are always going to defend their race, no matter what. Case in point is the Mayors race in Atlanta today. Watch the vote. Remember one thing, with the USA African American population being only 12.8%, Obama would have never been elected President without white support. I thought this was possibly a turning point, but it wasn’t. The issue will continue to be hate, not because of race, but the interpetation of how people feel towards each other and the opinions.
Falcons Ugly Win
December 1st, 2009
3:13 pm
3pm and 400 comments. Yay! Another Mike Vick blog. Schultz gets a break this time because MV7 is actually going to play football in Atlanta on Sunday. Well maybe he’ll play…..
I’m still a hater.
While I was cleaning up the house last weekend I found my Mike Vick doggie chew toy. It is on my fireplace mantle warming up for the game.
Boo Mike Vick when he takes the field!
Jeff Schultz
December 1st, 2009
3:14 pm
JSS – Spock seems to have lost his Vulcan accent.
Jeff Schultz
December 1st, 2009
3:17 pm
An Observation: I’m satisfied if you tell me Vick’s return doesn’t effect you. But if you go to the game Sunday, look around and count the number of Vick jerseys. Then tell me his return is not a story. Ignoring the obvious isn’t going to make it go away.
VickFailed
December 1st, 2009
3:29 pm
People in this city are so funny. They act like Mike Vick didn’t break the law. Well whether it is dogs, etc…he broke the law, period. He isn’t the only athlete to go to jail. You speak of he did his time and forget about it, what about Pete Rose? Do you feel the same. One of the greatest baseball players of all time. He did his time and is barred for life from the Baseball Hall of Fame? Shouldn’t he be forgiven? Surely Mike Vick couldn’t even hold a candle to the punishment or the career of a Pete Rose. He didn’t harm anything for his crime either like shooting a defenseless animal. I was there at the Ga. Dome when Deion Sanders returned with San. Fran to play the Falcons. One of the best if not the best cover men in the NFL, return man etc…He was booed out of the Dome. Why? Because he chose to go to another team. Society didn’t do this to Vick. He did it to himself. He allowed it to happen and why, because he liked it. Speaking of which, Pacman Jones was NEVER convicted on any crime and was suspended from the league for a year. Vick was convicted, or confessed and served time and was never suspended. You can’t be suspended if you CAN’T play because you are in jail. He hasn’t done anything to help the Eagles, but I believe he got a break others haven’t.
Seriously
December 1st, 2009
3:31 pm
““Vick’s return will illustrate division in Atlanta”
And, unfortunately, for the most part it will be along racial lines.”
……maybe.. just maybe… sometimes people just don’t like other people for what they do or have done and not because of their skin color.
va
December 1st, 2009
3:33 pm
You guys hate vick but love chris brown….fall off your high horse
ATL isn’t the place to look for people with good morals and sense anyway.
AnOpinion
December 1st, 2009
3:37 pm
If you have ever lived in a marriage or relationship where your wife/husband/partner had an affair on you, then you can understand the issues much better. You must make a choice, after you discover what has occured to hate the person, continue to love the person and take them back, or forgive the person and not take them back because you lost faith in them. The issue here is not whether or not Mike Vick committed a crime because he did (had the affair), the issue is the lying that occur after it was discovered, not to protect the franchise (partner) but to save himself. I have been in this situation, all the way to forgiving my husband and taking him back, but in the back of my mind never trusting him. After some time, it happened again and although I forgave him, I didn’t want him back. I don’t believe anyone should “hate” Mike Vick, but I cannot blame them for their lack of trust and the hurt that comes from his actions.
KimmerFan
December 1st, 2009
3:45 pm
Vick – the guy is the worst pro QB I’ve ever seen. He’s a fish out of water trying to play that position because he’s too short and too stupid. He needs to be a RB, a WR, or a DB. Or just a kick returner maybe. But QB? That’s just laughable. Even more laughable are his Atlanta fans who defend his criminal activities precisely because he is black and they blame his problems on the (white) Man. Vick and his supporters can all go jump in the lake.
stan
December 1st, 2009
3:49 pm
im an eagles fan< just moved to atlanta from up north, im looking to go to game, i cheer for vick cause hes on the team,, im not worried bout him as an individual, i cheer for the team, GO EAGLES!!!!!
Steve
December 1st, 2009
3:52 pm
I’ll stand up and cheer, and not because of how I felt when he was a Falcon. I never thought he was the savior of the franchise, nor did I think he was anywhere near the best quarterback in the NFL. However, I respect him for serving his time, admitting his mistakes (whether genuine or not), and trying to right his wrongs. He has made it back to the league, and for that I respect him.
To me, this is similar to Josh Hamilton’s drug addiction. While drugs and dog fighting are NOT the same thing, nor are they even in the same realm, both players were able to overcome their problems and make returns to the sports where they were considered stars. Now, Hamilton is a hero to young children who are Texas Rangers fans. Similarly, Vick was punished by the penal system and did his time. I think it is time for the Vick haters to come to terms with the fact that he did everything he was ordered to do and it is time for the Vick lovers to understand that he made his grave.
If you liked Vick when he was a Falcon but didn’t care for the Falcons as a team, I’m sure the Eagles will definitely sell you a Michael Vick jersey. Obviously the Falcons were never your team, and I’m sure they’re happy where they are now.
Falcon Fan
December 1st, 2009
3:55 pm
The guy laid it on the line when on the field and for the most part, the Falcons were pretty good when he did. Hopefully Ryan will be afforded the chance to grow into the position, the chance many Falcon fans wouldn”t grant Vick because he wasn’t the “traditional” QB and had swagger that some don’t approve of. He gave the fans some swagger that was long lacking for many true Falcon fans and bought onboard a new generation of Falcon fans. As a 15 year season ticket holder, I can tell you the Dome was rocking every Sunday during the Vick era and yeah some of us miss that.
Nupe
December 1st, 2009
3:56 pm
Go Vick! Looking forward to seeing Vick back in the Georgia Dome! Go Vick… I am wearing my # 7 on Sunday.
SJ
December 1st, 2009
4:05 pm
I am so sick of all you haters! Get a life! Vick, good luck on your journey and I’m glad this is all behind you, man.
And, to all you haters: ’stop picking at the prick in others eye and dig the plank out of your, first.
Vick all you have to remember is: ‘Our greatest Glory is never in the fall; but, in the rise from each one’.
Peace brother and I glad to see you back on the field. Hang in there!
Vick #1 Fan,
SJ
SKIPPER
December 1st, 2009
4:05 pm
EVERY BODY TALKING ABOUT WHAT VICK DID HE DID IT AND IT OVER WITH HE DESERVE TO MAKE LIVING NO MATTER WHAT BUT THINK ABOUT THIS RICKEY WILLIAMS HE WAS DOING DRUGS AND EVERYTHING BUT MIAMI WAS SMART THEY GOT HIM SOME HELP NOW LOOK AT HIM DOING A VERY GOOD JOB THIS YEAR SO THAT THE SAME THING OWNER BLANK COULD HAVE DONE BUT THEY REALLY WANTED MAT RAYN TO HAVE THAT SPOT MORE POWER TO THEM THEY BETTER HOPE HE DONT PLAY
Sarah R
December 1st, 2009
4:11 pm
HIP HIP HOORAY MIKE I AM GLAD TO SEE YOU BACK 2 THUMBS UP. I WILL ALWAYS CHEER FOR YOU NO MATTER WHAT TEAM YOU ARE ON . YOU WILL ALWAYS BE MY FAVORITE FALCON. YOU BROUGHT SO MUCH JOY TO THE GAME. GOD FORGIVE YOU NO MATTER WHAT NOTHING PEOPLE THINK. HOLD YOUR HEAD UP I LOVE AND GOD LOVE YOU MORE. Joy comes in the morning hooray you go kid!!!!!!!
True Falcon Fan...Vick Fan
December 1st, 2009
4:15 pm
GO Vick GO…I love my Falcons but I have to say Vick join are Fans together. I’m kind of sick of everyone trying to make it seem like this man is a real criminal…its some DOGS…Human life is way more important. A dog can’t pay my bills or buy my season tickets to the Falcons game. I will be cheering for my Falcons, cheering for Vick, and BOOING them Eagles.
KayK40
December 1st, 2009
4:21 pm
I will CHEER for Mike Vick and I will CHEER LOUDLY. Going to a Falcons Game when Mike was quarterback, were some of the most exciting games I have ever been to. I have been a season ticket holder for years and believe Matt Ryan will grow to be great, but I do miss seeing Mike out there.
TheAnswer251
December 1st, 2009
4:27 pm
Vick is still the Star. Can’t wait to see him dominate the game once again. Go Vick.
Monica Caraffa
December 1st, 2009
4:36 pm
It would be appropriate if the Georgia Dome is where Vick suffers the career ending injury we dog lovers have wished on him for years and will forever wish on him. I hope the Atlanta fans are unforgiving and hell-raising. How dare he expect a statnding ovation afyter what he did to that organization. But then again socipoaths have no concept of right and wrong so whatever comes out of his mouth doesn’t surprise me.
GO FALCONS!!!
Dog Lovers in Philly!
pilgrim
December 1st, 2009
4:37 pm
Part of what makes pro football entertaining is the vibe of the fan base. Look how the Saints are loved by their city. Will Vick’s return illustrate division in Atlanta? I wish the guy the best, but at this point I would rather see the Atlanta fans rally around the team, not Vick. And what if he has a break out game? Will that create even more division in Atlanta?
shanna
December 1st, 2009
4:38 pm
Cant wait to see vick play! I’m a falcon fan but I also am a supporter of mike vick. I own a pit bull of my own and hate the things that he did however the man cant be punished for the rest of his life for this crime. I’m sure many of yall have done things that have yet to come to the light so doesnt your god say….FORGIVE?…oh i forgot that only means when it benifits you… GO VICK AND GO FALCONS!
wink
December 1st, 2009
4:55 pm
Vick plays for the Eagles, we need to beat the Eagles, plain & simply. Vick can’t divide the city, it’s just personal opinion. If Vick divides the city, then the city is divided today as we have a mayor’s election going on today… that divide is more important, but in the end, that’s just opinion too!
EricADawgFan
December 1st, 2009
4:57 pm
Mark from Georgia Born and Raised!
I agree with you…….
MV7-Lovah
December 1st, 2009
4:57 pm
Mike Vick is da best QB football has ever seen! The Eagles are juss waiten ta bust him out on da Falcons. He’s gonna be da startin QB da rest of da way for Philly and win em a Supah-Bowl!!!!
MV7 won *2 Supah-Bowls* with da Falcons!!! Matt Ryan has nevah even been to da playoffs! What a chump. Arthur Blank wants Vicky back sooooooooooooooooo bad!
EricADawgFan
December 1st, 2009
4:59 pm
Go Michael Vick…………
EricADawgFan
December 1st, 2009
5:02 pm
I am a Falcon Fan and a Michael Vick Fan. Vick will forever be loved by Atlanta’s TRUE FALCONS FANS…… I will be wearing number 7 Vick Jersey cheering him on to perform well. However; I still want the Falcons to win.
EricADawgFan
December 1st, 2009
5:04 pm
Take Notice,
Michael Vick wont divide the City, and he can’t divide the City. Only the Citizens that live in Atlanta can divide the City. So it’s up to the citizens……
Hot-lanta Mama!
December 1st, 2009
5:06 pm
Forgive & Forget Hot-lanta – my hometown – city to busy to hate or have y’all forgotten?
We serve a God of 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc chances.
Boo away all you haters…God & the whole rest of the world LOVES redeemed sinners!
Welcome back Micheal Vick…Atlanta loves ya baby…those haters are a bunch of “damn yankees” anyway (”yankees” visit – go back home, “damn yankees” come here &(shudder)STAY!
ATL DIEHARD
December 1st, 2009
5:12 pm
THEY WERE DOGS FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!!!!!!!!!! I THINK WE ALL HAVE MADE MISTAKES IN OUR PAST. IS MIKES’ WORST THAN OURS SIMPLY BECAUSE HE WAS A PUBLIC FIGURE? PIT BULLS ARE VERY VISCOUS ANIMALS, REMEMBER. ITS IN THEIR BLOOD TO FIGHT. IF ONE GETS A HOLD TO ONE OF YOU WOULD YOU WANT IT LIVE? IF YOU SAY NO THEN YOUR A DOG KILLER AS WELL! I HOPE HE HAS A GREAT RETURN TO ATLANTA BUT STILL LOSE THE GAME!
ATL DIEHARD
December 1st, 2009
5:18 pm
@MV7-LOVAH… HOLD YOUR COMMENTS! THE FALCONS HAVE NEVER WON A SUPER BOWL! AND MATT RYAN TOOK THE FALCONS TO THE PLAYOFFS LAST YEAR! DUNCE!!!
HomeTeamGurl
December 1st, 2009
5:18 pm
I can most certainly appreciate all of the comments for and against Vicks return. However, the fact of the matter is the Falcons are playing the Eagles (not just Vick)!!! Shouldn’t that be our focus…we’re trying to get to the playoff let’s keep that first and foremost!! Our cheers and excitement should be toward supporting our home team in this WIN……
EricADawgFan
December 1st, 2009
5:19 pm
AnOpinion,
You know you are speaking and writing Bull Sh%$ right? Truly you don’t believe what you are writing. Right? If you do, then you are thinking straight. I agree what Michael Vick has done was wrong, but what Michael Vick did had absolutely nothing to do with the Atlanta Falcons. He lied about it yes. He lied to Blank yes. Blank is not God nor his father. For you to say Vick jeopardize or embarrass the Atlanta Falcons Franchise because of what he did in on his personal time and in his personal life is simply a bogus statement and pure Bull Sh%$. True Falcons were still paying and attending the games. Not because of what Vick has done, but because they were true fans. The main people that were in the news ranting and raving was PETA and everyone knows those people are right wing extremist when it comes to animals. They may put you on the news for killing a chicken and having it for dinner. You may have had a few people outside of PETA that had somethings to say, but again the true Falcons still came and attended the games. Those people and PETA that were complaining, I bet neither of them were season ticket holders, and in Blanks Business, that is what counts. The Atlanta Falcons problems certainly was not a Vick Fault. They were a lot more problems outside of the Vick Fiasco. You had Head Coach that Lied, and left to Coach somewhere else, you had players that were not playing up to potential, and a lot of other things. So don’t put that entire Falcons Saga on Vick.
LEA
December 1st, 2009
5:22 pm
I’ll be cheering loud for Vick, what some of you fans seem to forget is that when he was here he WAS THE TEAM. without him we would have been picking number 1 every year.. I’ll be there in my Vick Eagles Jersey.. can’t wait..
EricADawgFan
December 1st, 2009
5:26 pm
Again as I am a Falcons fan, I will support my Falcons. But when Vick run on that field, I will one of thousands in attendance that will be standing giving him an ovation, and welcoming him back home. Oh I will be wearing the number 7 Vick Jersey.
dekalb fan
December 1st, 2009
5:29 pm
Does anyone cheer for Danny Heatley when he returns. Oh, I guess it is ok to drive drunk on a suspended licence KILL A HUMAN BEING and continue your hockey career without spending a day in jail. No matter how much any of you dislike MV7 or his actions, you must admit that there is something wrong with Heatley not doing any time for KILLING A HUMAN BEING, his career was not derailed he was allowed to continue to make a living.
andrea
December 1st, 2009
5:33 pm
I am a Fan of Mike Vick and will cheer for him. I am also a dog lover. This man has served his time I mean what more do you want him to do? People are robbing, stealing, killing and would not get this type of treatment; only a pat on the hand. Children are being raped… not this much attention. No protesting, no nothing. We have more important issues to worry about!!! Come on people what happen to forgiveness.
EricADawgFan
December 1st, 2009
5:34 pm
dekalb fan,
Double Standards…..
EricADawgFan
December 1st, 2009
5:36 pm
andrea,
Don’t worry. The Loud Ovation will definitely out sound the Boos when Vick comes on the field. I will assure you.
jenny123
December 1st, 2009
5:40 pm
I don’t normally wish pain or injury on anyone, but in this case, I wouldn’t mind seeing him break his leg again.
CL
December 1st, 2009
5:47 pm
I agree with those that say there will be more fights than ovation in the Dome. Glad I’m in a
Suite. Word to the wise….if you are a falcons fan that has nothing but negativity for Vick and black people in general…save yourself an azz whippin, keep it to yourself and enjoy the game. Get all your emotions out on here if you need to. You’ll be a lot better off.
TIME OUT
December 1st, 2009
5:48 pm
HATING MATT RYAN FOR FOLLOWING VICK IS CRAZY. I WAS ALSO ANGRY AT WHAT HAPPENED WITH VICK BUT MATT DIDNT DO SH!T WRONG FOR ANY FAN TO HATE HIM, BUT GET DRAFTED BY THE FALCONS. NOW HAVING SAID THAT I WOULD STILL TAKE A MIKE VICK IN HIS PRIME OVER FOUR MATT RYANS. MATT IS A NICE GUY AND PROBABLY BE AN AVERAGE QB SOMEWHERE IN THE NFL, BCUZ I DOUBT THAT HE WILL LAST IN ATL MORE THAN FOUR YEARS AS A STARTER WITH THAT SOFT ARM AND ALL THOSE OFF THE CHARTS INTANGIBLES THAT DONT WIN GAMES. MIKE VICK SCREWED UP WITH THE DOG FIGHTING AND I HAD TO GO TO REHAB TO ADMIT THAT.
MATT SOMEHOW IS FACING THE SAME SITUATIONS VICK FACED, POOR BLOCKING , FLAKY RECEIVERS,INJURIES AND A WEAK DEFENSE. VICK GOT BLAMED AND TORTURED FOR ALL OF THESE ISSUES NOW ITS MATT TURN, BUT MATT HAS ONE UNFORTUNATE ALIBI. THAT HE IS NOT A FRANCHISE QB. VICK FANS THAT STILL NOT A REASON TO HATE THE GUY FOR BEING DRAFTED AND MORE OVERTLY BCUZ HE IS WHITE. WHILE I AGREE DOG FIGHTING IS VERY PERVERSE, BUT VICK HATERS STOP USING THIS TO JUSTIFY YOUR RACIAL AND CULTURAL HATE IM SURE YOU HAVE SUPPORTED OTHER HIGH PROFILE (WHITE) PEOPLE WHO HAVE DONE WORST….GET A GRIP. NO ONE GOT SCREWED MORE THAN ME I JUST HAD RENEWED TWO PRIME SEASON TICKETS THAT BECAME WORTHLESS WHEN THE NEWS BROKE ABOUT VICK. I LOVED VICK IN HIS PRIME, BUT I AINT GOT NO
PERSONAL BEEF WITH MATT. TIME OUT GIVE THE KID A BREAK IT AINT HIS FAULT HE HAD TO FOLLOWED VICK, BUT WITH HIS FAT PAYCHECK HE SHOULD BE SMART ENOUGH TO SUCK IT UP….. ALL OF US REGULAR FOLK GLADLY WOULD.
ARTHUR BLANK AND MCKAY TRIED HARD TO WIN WHEN VICK WAS HERE ,BUT THEY JUST DIDNT KNOW HOW TO BUILD AROUND HIM, BUT THEY GET AN A FOR SPENDING THE MONEY. SO DONT HATE THEM EITHER. HELL SH!T HAPPENS
ken
December 1st, 2009
5:54 pm
I will cheer him but it will be divided among racial lines, the african-americans will cheer him because of there love for him, and the white folks will boo him because of there love for dogs.
Jones
December 1st, 2009
5:55 pm
I will cheer for Vick for all that he has done for this city. Vick made the Falcons relevant from the day he was drafted. I don’t agree with all of his actions, but I appreciate what he did for this franchise.
I was at the Braves game when Francour came back to Turner Field as a Met and he got a standing ovation the first time he came up to bat and the rest of the game he was treated like every other Met (he got booed). I will probably treat Vick the same way. I will get out of my seat to cheer for him the first time he touches the field… after that I will treat him like any other Eagle.
wishuhadit
December 1st, 2009
6:01 pm
CL-Probably the comment that made the most sense on this chat. Does one walk thru metal detectors when entering the dome????? $hit is definitely going to pop off come Sunday. I will not be there…on purpose
P Rose
December 1st, 2009
6:01 pm
This is a re-run. I’m finding it hard to be creative on this subject anymore.
Let me tell y’all a story ‘bout a man named Vick
Poor mountaineer was the league’s initial pick
Then one day he was slammin’ down a pup
Along came the Feds and they locked the dummy up
Jail, that is
Hard time
Leavenworth
Well the next thing you know they’ve sprung him from the pen
NFL says Vick can play again
Said Philadelphia is the place he oughta be
On their quarterback depth chart
Vick is number three
Last, that is
Clipboard
There’s your star
P Rose
December 1st, 2009
6:07 pm
Okay, just one more oldie but goodie, since MV7 will be here this weekend and then we won’t have to talk about him anymore. (Yeah, right.)
Some people call me the space cowboy
Some call me a gangsta or thug
Some people call me “Con-Vick”
‘Cause I can beat any Pekinese or Pug
Fans keep bloggin’ about me baby
Say I can’t do anything wrong, anything wrong
But don’t you worry baby no, don’t worry
Cause’ I’m right here on the sideline where I belong
Cause’ I’m a loser, not a winner
I’m NOT a passer – I’m just a sprinter
I gain my yardage on the run
I’m a toker
I’m mediocre
I’m a clipboard holder
I’m third – McNabb is number one
MV7 Website
December 1st, 2009
6:22 pm
http://mikevick.ning.com/
taylor
December 1st, 2009
6:25 pm
30-24
Fan
December 1st, 2009
6:29 pm
I bet you he will set foot onto the game filed. When the deal was done for Vick to return to the NFL, Blank said ok but no way can he ever play in the Georgia Dome, regardless of the team he plays for