AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2006 > July > 27 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USMaturing Vick gets another lesson
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
This is an undated photo of Falcons quarterback Michael Vick from the Web site MediaTakeOut.com. The site alleges that Vick is holding a marijuana blunt.
Flowery Branch — On the first day of training camp, the story is supposed to be about Michael Vick learning an offense. Instead, it’s about learning lessons. It’s about questions of his maturity and dedication and lifestyle.
Vick says he doesn’t want to look. But somebody shows him a picture from an Internet site that depicts him sitting in a car with a women the site claims is his girlfriend, while holding something in his left hand the site concludes is a marijuana joint.
“This ain’t the first time somebody had me on the Internet — that’s unbelievable man,” the Falcons quarterback said Thursday. “Y’all know me. Y’all know what I’m about. I ain’t never gonna do anything to put this team in jeopardy. This ain’t the first time somebody posted something on the Internet or lied on me. But I’m used to it and it’s something I’ve got to deal with it. I’m just trying to do the right thing.”
There was a story on one sleazy football website, ProFootballTalk.com, which carried a link to another sleazy celebrity site, MediaTakeout.com, which carried a story and a picture claiming to be taken from the MySpace page of Vick’s girlfriend. Welcome to the media food pyramid of 2006.
Vick says what is pictured is him holding a cigar, not “smoking a blunt” (as stated in a MediaTakeout headline). But there’s the picture. Doctored or not, “blunt” or not, Vick has to realize that there is a reason some people will believe one thing even if he says another.
He said Thursday, “The majority of things I did three or four years ago, I don’t even do now. I try to stay out of harm’s way. But it seems like even when I try to do the right thing, I do the wrong thing.”
Perception. Reality. In celebrity life, they’re intertwined, and Vick somewhat set himself up for this. Last year there was the woman who claimed he gave her a sexually transmitted disease. She sued in a high-profile case. Vick denied it. But he settled out of court, and long after he was publicly lampooned.
A friend in Vick’s traveling party was caught taking a Rolex watch from an airport security checkpoint at Hartsfield, and Vick found his name connected with the theft. There was more guilt by association when Vick’s brother, Marcus, seemingly did everything possible to soil the family name at Virginia Tech. You can even go back a few years when the Falcons’ season unraveled after Vick’s broken leg — and some critics of the quarterback wondered aloud whether he was taking a little too long to come back.
It may not seem fair. But it’s where we are. It all goes in Vick’s public folder. And when both he and his football team are coming off mediocre seasons, people are going to be less inclined to dismiss attacks.
“I do smoke cigars sometimes when I’m relaxing,” he said. “I do have a beer sometimes, just like everybody else does. But it’s not about everybody else. It’s about me.
“I try to be [careful]. But when I try to be careful and stay out of people’s way so nobody can talk bad about me, it always backfires. I can’t win for losing. I try to be in a good mood and do the right thing. But it seems like there’s always something there to bring Mike Vick down.”
It can’t be easy to be so young with so much money and power, but know that you can’t be seen drinking a beer because somebody will figure you belong in a 12-step program. But this is what Vick signed up for. He is the Falcons’ lifeline. If he implodes, off the field or on, they implode, off the field or on.
We have heard a lot about how Vick was more dedicated than ever this off-season. He worked out. He studied game tape. He was just around more. “I feel like it’s more of an obligation for me to help the team where we need to go,” he said. “I’m the face of the franchise. I have to put in extra effort. I have to be here a little more than everybody else.”
Conclusion: This seems to be a quarterback maturing. The entire Falcons roster stunk it up in last season’s finale, a 44-11 loss to Carolina. But a remarkably candid Vick threw himself on a grenade in a USA Today story Wednesday, saying, “I didn’t go out and give it my all, which was disrespectful to my teammates, disrespectful to my coaches, myself and my family. I’ll never do that again.”
He reiterated those remarks Thursday, but considers it part of his growth process. “It’s good some things I experienced last season,” he said. “It only made me stronger.”
The lessons won’t stop. Some will be easier to deal with than others.
Permalink | Comments (132) | Categories: Falcons / NFL, Jeff Schultz
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Connie
July 27, 2006 10:29 PM | Link to this
Nice column Jeff - I’m hoping you’ll hold Blank’s feet to the fire this season, too, early and often.
By Peter
July 27, 2006 10:47 PM | Link to this
I don’t think that the issue is whether or not he’s holding a blunt. The issue to my way of thinking is the right hand held up in what appears to be a sign of gang affiliation. Now THAT would trouble me far more than the blunt.
By socaldawg
July 27, 2006 11:13 PM | Link to this
“what appears to be a sign of gang affiliation…”
Dayum, could you sound any more white? So any time a black man makes a gesture with his hands, it’s a gang affiliation? I mean really, Peter, what do you know about flashing signs? Is that a fair assumption on your part? Let’s be honest, who has some latent racial anxiety here? Anyone? Peter?
By Ric
July 27, 2006 11:14 PM | Link to this
Leading by example are we????????????
By David
July 27, 2006 11:22 PM | Link to this
yo, dawg…your the racist
By nimrod
July 27, 2006 11:28 PM | Link to this
Jeff, You are the worst columnist on the ajc. Go back on vacation.
Peter, you are a fool. what gang sign is it? The 3-finger mafia?
By PETERPAN
July 27, 2006 11:31 PM | Link to this
Most of us know that the hand sign is a frat sign for Kappa Alpha Psi. Peter you should do research before you write. You are the reason rumors start. Anyway, hope Mike can step up this year.
By Mr C.
July 27, 2006 11:31 PM | Link to this
I’m not a bg fan of Mike Vick but i don’t think this is a story. AJC shouldn’t run a story based on innuendos from the internet. There are a lot of rumors circulating on the web about a lot of atheletes but they shouldn’t be news. They are just rumors.
I believe the story is unjust. Maybe slander. When was the picture taking? What year? Was the picture doctored? What’s the story line - that he is holding a marijuana joint or that he’s with a woman in a car? Mike Vick is the a star player and if he smokes marijuana or blunt, the whole world would have known by now. Why not do a little detective investigation before you carry the rumor onto the pages of AJC.
The article is a blow below the waist.
By roflcopter
July 27, 2006 11:33 PM | Link to this
I have no clue if the sign Vick is flashing is intended as what I’m about to say. But a popular ‘game’ between males 17-22 or so a few years ago would be to show that sign, if the person looked, it would signify that they were homosexual.
By trueatalien
July 27, 2006 11:34 PM | Link to this
If you think peter that could of been a celebration for his THIRD bid to the pro bowl. Its not being racist its about being just igorant.
By Pure Heart
July 27, 2006 11:43 PM | Link to this
So, Vick denied being herpetic “ron mexico.” He paid the girl. Dollars. Didn’t want the case tried. Settled after he had to turn over his medical records. If that is isn’t guilt ….
By Great Falconi
July 27, 2006 11:50 PM | Link to this
Come on, Jeff. Pro Football Talk is a damn good football news website. They, like you, just like a little humor.
By Janice McDonald
July 28, 2006 07:11 AM | Link to this
Mike Vick needs to concentrate on speaking proper English/grammar and stop acting like the thug he wants to be. Notice all other high profile and high dollar quarterbacks in the league, whether black, white or other, act and speak with intelligence. I have never heard him speak in any way but ghetto slang. This is not a good face on the Falcon Organization.
By bucko
July 28, 2006 07:29 AM | Link to this
Damn Vick is already crying wait until he starts missing recivers, can’t find recivers, holds the ball to long, carries the ball with one hand and fumbles. Watch out coaches you know who he is going to blame. I can’t believe he spilled the beans on himself. Hope he will stay honest during the seaons without blaming every one but himself like last year.
By bucko
July 28, 2006 07:42 AM | Link to this
I agree with janice why should you be in the company of any one that would steal something. the old saying is true birds of a feather flock together. Just look how he is dress and carries is self. Who is miss black pocahontas don’t she look all proper with her legs wide open and Vick I believe you do better she is uggggggly.
By Kudzu
July 28, 2006 08:08 AM | Link to this
I can’t even understand half of what he’s saying. “it seems there’s always somthing there to bring Mick Vick down” What, who, talks like this?
Don’t interview the man anymore… He’s his own worst enemy…
Hey, Michael, tell Mike Vick to zip it…
By Ron Mexico
July 28, 2006 08:18 AM | Link to this
I think she is hot!
By pc
July 28, 2006 08:38 AM | Link to this
glad he wasn’t holdin’ up the peace sign. some folk think he’s goin to the peace corps gang.
By Falcons Fan
July 28, 2006 08:54 AM | Link to this
Janice writes, “Mike Vick needs to concentrate on speaking proper English/grammar and stop acting like the thug he wants to be. Notice all other high profile and high dollar quarterbacks in the league, whether black, white or other, act and speak with intelligence. I have never heard him speak in any way but ghetto slang. This is not a good face on the Falcon Organization”
But Janice, I think you miss one important aspect of print reporting: the use of ‘literalism’ when quoting Africam Americans.
The simple fact is that you would be hard-pressed to find any contractions, or ‘fixin’ to’s” or any such ‘non-standard’ phrases transcribed in such a literal sense except where the subject is African American. Why? I suppose all other interviewees speak “The Queen’s English” — either that or they get the cool little braces symbolizing a re-write [I shan’t do that anymore, my good man!].
I’ll never forget the ultimate low-light in this paper’s “commitment” to “colored literalism”…Following a shooting tragedy resulting in the death of a young Atlanta man, the venerable AJC ran a front-page headline in bold large letters, “My brother dead!” with the agrieved sister in tears. I’ve not expected anything better from the paper since. It may be systemic or a “feature” of the industry itself.
By mikefan
July 28, 2006 09:06 AM | Link to this
I live here in Atlanta but I am from Newport News, VA. Let me tell you that he is one of the nicest guys that you can meet. For you people on this blog talking about “why is he hanging out with the wrong type of people”, trust me, you have probably hung out with some idiots in your day as well. Mike cannot be responsible for everyone he knows, INCLUDING MARCUS. If you don’t like the way he plays the game of football, fine but don’t attack him personally.
For the idiot who says that the girl in the picture is ugly, fine that is your opinion, but remember someone might think that your wife/husband is ugly as well. And for the record, he legs are closed. The camera angle is a little low. If you look carefully, her knees are almost level with one another.
And it isn’t a gang sign, Mike was never in a gang in high school. Even though we attend rival schools and I hated him with a passion because he beat us all the time, he is a good person. No one seems to have a problem when Shaquille O’Neal throws up his fraternity sign after a good play on the court. Why have a problem with Mike throwing up his fraternity sign? If he had been a white pro player throwing up signs, would anyone care? H3ll no because you idiots don’t believe that white people would be in a gang. Only young black males - with or without money. You people need to grow up.
By Call me Earl
July 28, 2006 09:18 AM | Link to this
It’s True You don’t need a brain to enter a blog on the internet. Peter is another example of Suuthern Ignorance. You must live in Clayton Co. since you know so much about gangs Peter? Think about this Peter and all you none blacks that can’t help stereotyping people of color. If a Black man takes a smoke, he’s smoking a blunt. Are you saying a black men with a cigar in hand must be smoking weed? If that thought goes through your head, then you’re ignorant. If a black man acknowledges the people he loves by giving a sign, now he’s showing gang signs. If that thought comes to mind then, your an idiot! Now all of this is truly ridiculous.
Now whats really ludicrous is the guy saying Vick is showing a homosexual gang signs.roflcopter? Now roflcopter you’re an idiot. Tell me something, how in the world do you know the demographics and secret hand signs of homosexuals?
bucko I’d like to see who you lay down w/at night. I hope she don’t break ya arm homeboy.
People words hurt, so think about it before you reveal your ignorance and inbred hatred. Watch what you say!
By tone
July 28, 2006 09:20 AM | Link to this
that’s a black and mild cigar not a blunt
By me
July 28, 2006 09:29 AM | Link to this
I think he better watch out for DJ shockley.
By doug
July 28, 2006 09:32 AM | Link to this
By allen fuhrman
July 28, 2006 09:37 AM | Link to this
Great grammer from someone that spent all those years in college.
By Anthony
July 28, 2006 09:38 AM | Link to this
What troubles me more than anything is the stupid Yankees hat he has on..You Mike…Where is your loyalty??? :)
By Earl
July 28, 2006 09:39 AM | Link to this
When is Rumor now news, and for all of the comments on Gang signs and Thuggery Let me say this…
As with anything, when certain people don’t understand things, they write it off as garbage or something that’s bad. Eastern European nomads migrated east and conquered several highly advanced civilizations who had many of the modern tools we have now…Streets, running water, sewage systems etc….Those nomad who only understood Hunt & Eat and kill, saw these cities with this foreign technology and destroyed it because THEY didnt understand it so therefore they deemed it as unimportant. If it wasn’t something they could eat, kill and conquer then it was bad. No telling where mankind would be now if this technology hadn’t been lost due to ignorance, and the barbaric need to eat and conquer…..
I say all of that to say this, one of the biggest problems in this city and how the media reports “NEWS” and in our society in general is our inability to be open minded to what WE do not understand. Worse still taking it a step forward and denoucing what you don’t understand as being BAD. Hey I don’t like country music, but I have nothing negative to say about it. If I look at the pure lyrics of what the artist is saying…..alot of it I’ve heard in a rap song or two. I respect what they do as artist but I have the choice to not listen to it and respect that there are millions who enjoy that genre of music.
Mike Vick is different. From the way he looks to the way he plays. His cornrows, his clothes, or his speech have nothing to do with where his value is placed. Playing and being a winning QB for the Atlanta Falcons…period. People kill me when they say, Oh I wish he/they would speak proper english..If you are born and raise in America I have a news flash YOU aren’t speaking ENGLISH either!
As far as the perceived GANG signs..again sigh, for Certain people to feel they are so superior it baffles me how little many of you “Educated” people really know. That’s a Fraternal hand Gesture. From one of the many Greek Frats. As far as the JOINT in the picture, I know of zero joint with a Plastic stem, but I am very familiar with Black & Milds which anyone who has seen Vick in Public knows he likes to smoke. Hummm I wonder if Jeff even know what a Black and Mild is? I doubt it. Sad when you have to post a story from the rumor Mill that has zero substance and call it Journelism. But it’s the AJC so I’m not surprised.
Speaking negatively about what you SEE and having zero knowledge of what’s going on makes you appear to be ignorant as oppose to those you are trying to dipict as ignorant. Vick has zero criminal arrest…but for all of you suburbanites that are quick to Toss out what is Thugdom, let me give you a GOOD example of thugdom. Stealing an election, manufactoring a war, draining the National Surplus and turning it into a record deficit, and then sticking it to the consumer with rediculous High Gas prices while Gas companies are pulling down record quarterly Profits….now THAT’S a Thug! But I guess when the Thug looks like you, then we can rename it…Patriotic. I’m sure Hitler thought he was being Patriotic too. You closed minded people need to wake up and focus on what IS important in this world.
By Anthony
July 28, 2006 09:41 AM | Link to this
What bothers me more than anything from that picture is the stupid Yankees hat he has on! C’mon mike where is your loyalty??? :)
By George
July 28, 2006 09:48 AM | Link to this
If that is a cigar why does he look baked out of his mind? P.S. Who cares if he smoes pot anyway?
By Jeff
July 28, 2006 09:48 AM | Link to this
Schultz you are an idiot. You are no better than those “sleazy football websites” and “sleazy celebrity sites” (to quote a fool) for putting this in the AJC. Remember, Dan Rather was brought down by running a story based on no facts. Why are you always trying to bring Vick down? HE IS THE BEST ATHLETE ON THE PLANET FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!!!
I wish you would leave Atlanta Schultz……FOREVER!!!
By George
July 28, 2006 09:49 AM | Link to this
If that is a cigar why does he look baked out of his mind? P.S. Who cares if he smokes pot anyway?
By bushwacker
July 28, 2006 09:49 AM | Link to this
Another rich athelete who thinks the world is out to get him!!
Trade his whiny asss now, we have 2 better quaterbacks anyway!!
I did not say better athelete, I said better quaterbacks!
DJ has been reading defenses for 10 years, Vick doesn’t have a clue about reading defenses.
Send him to Cincinnati with the rest og the gagngsters!
By bushwacker
July 28, 2006 09:52 AM | Link to this
Another rich athelete who thinks the world is out to get him!!
Trade his whiny asss now, we have 2 better quaterbacks anyway!!
I did not say better athelete, I said better quaterbacks!
DJ has been reading defenses for 10 years, Vick doesn’t have a clue about reading defenses.
Send him to Cincinnati with the rest og the gagngsters!
By doug
July 28, 2006 09:54 AM | Link to this
Babe Ruth,ty cobb,mickey mantel,joe nameth were known alcoholics who hung at bars,smoke cigars and were womanizers. so if vick does it why is he a thug? As far as vick usage of the English language,have you heard Bret Favre or peyton Manning speak? Not exactly intellectual conversation.
By Stephen
July 28, 2006 09:55 AM | Link to this
Why is anybody concerned about the girl? This story is about a maturing Vick, a QB who is stepping up and shouldering the blame, like a leader should. Who cares what he’s flashing w/his hand, or the girl he’s with. That’s not a blunt, it’s a little cigar called a BD. It’s wrapped in a leaf, their smooth as hell.
By mikefan
July 28, 2006 09:57 AM | Link to this
I live here in Atlanta but I am from Newport News, VA. Let me tell you that he is one of the nicest guys that you can meet. For you people on this blog talking about “why is he hanging out with the wrong type of people”, trust me, you have probably hung out with some idiots in your day as well. Mike cannot be responsible for everyone he knows, INCLUDING MARCUS. If you don’t like the way he plays the game of football, fine but don’t attack him personally.
For the idiot who says that the girl in the picture is ugly, fine that is your opinion, but remember someone might think that your wife/husband is ugly as well. And for the record, he legs are closed. The camera angle is a little low. If you look carefully, her knees are almost level with one another.
And it isn’t a gang sign, Mike was never in a gang in high school. Even though we attend rival schools and I hated him with a passion because he beat us all the time, he is a good person. No one seems to have a problem when Shaquille O’Neal throws up his fraternity sign after a good play on the court. Why have a problem with Mike throwing up his fraternity sign? If he had been a white pro player throwing up signs, would anyone care? H3ll no because you idiots don’t believe that white people would be in a gang. Only young black males - with or without money. You people need to grow up.
By Derek
July 28, 2006 09:57 AM | Link to this
It’s a black and mild cigar! People are so naive and will believe anything the media tells them.
By C tha 1
July 28, 2006 10:00 AM | Link to this
Good God. Some of yall are really ignorant. Simply because the man is often seen wearing a hat, t-shirt, and jeans makes him a thug?! WTF?! On top of all of that he has cornrows. It should be a crime to have such a closed mind.
Another thing, as far as using “Proper Grammar”, please get your head out of your azz. Hardly anyone on this blog even uses standard english…but hey its a blog you don’t really have to. At any rate there is not a such thing as “Proper Grammar”, however there is Standard English, and judging from what Vick is saying his english isn’t any worse than the millions of people with different dialects who speak it. I mean damn people let the man live!
By ebineezer
July 28, 2006 10:01 AM | Link to this
Looks like a plastic filter on a cigar to me. I’m not a Vick fan, but this article is trash. Maybe this year all his potential will be realized and he will be the great QB we have been waiting for.
By Jeff
July 28, 2006 10:03 AM | Link to this
Schultz you are an idiot. You are no better than those “sleazy football websites” and “sleazy celebrity sites” (to quote a fool) for putting this in the AJC. Remember, Dan Rather was brought down by running a story based on no facts. Why are you always trying to bring Vick down? HE IS THE BEST ATHLETE ON THE PLANET FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!!!
I wish you would leave Atlanta Schultz……FOREVER!!!
By Bo
July 28, 2006 10:05 AM | Link to this
Wow, where did Vick buy the Ghetto Kit? Here we go again trying to make a great passing QB out of Vick…yawn. You want to spell great passing? It’s spelled Payton Manning. Is his brother in prison yet? Looks like from the picture, Vick must have justed visted him on Sunday from 3 to 5.
By Brian
July 28, 2006 10:10 AM | Link to this
Thanks Jeff for posting this article. Just goes to show that you can take the thug out of the projects, give him millions of dollars, and he’ll still act like he’s in the HOOD. We need to put all of these thugs in jail and stop talking about them. We need to focus more on the GOOD, CLEAN, articulate All American QB’s like Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and Drew Brees. These guys stay out of trouble and are good examples on and off the field!
By dirrtybird
July 28, 2006 10:14 AM | Link to this
I don’t live in the south anymore, and from reading these blogs, I sure am glad. I guess everyone is entitled to their opinion but when it comes to culture and acceptance, the south is still decades behind, and the rest of the country just laughs at you. This story is not even newsworthy, leave it up to the hokey doke ajc to break a meaningless story. Hire some real reporters and get a real website. Let’s get just years behind, instead of decades. Go Falcons!!!!
By C tha 1
July 28, 2006 10:15 AM | Link to this
It’s crazy how the world is affraid of young black men. People love to toss the word thug around and apply it to all black men when we wear jeans and a t-shirt. But the real irony lies in that it seems only young black men actually know the difference between a real thug and someone who is not. People Vick is not a thug, how could you possibly see that… O.K, I forgot some of you all simply don’t know any better. Simply put, if you ever seen a real thug you know what you are dealing with. It’s not about the clothes people.
By Bo
July 28, 2006 10:22 AM | Link to this
Why are we afraid of young black men? Watch the news, all they do is kill people for twenty dollars, thats why dude.
By Brian
July 28, 2006 10:30 AM | Link to this
I’m not afraid of black men. Some are very productive preachers, policemen, mailmen, etc. But this rap music that teaches you to go out, fill your mouth full of jewelry, and beat your whore, and shoot up a rival gang memeber for some Street Cred is just ridiculous. Seems like alot of these big money athletes that come from the Hood seem to keep their Ghetto ways instead of cleaning up their act and becoming positive role models for their community and their people.
By dan
July 28, 2006 10:34 AM | Link to this
Why can’t we just stop scrutinizing vick’s personal life when, frankly, we know nothing about it. I sure wish we could keep this blog to football matters. And bushwacker, are you serious about wanting DJ Shockley as quarterback? You have got to be kidding me. Vick led us to the NFC Championship game two years ago and he’s going to do it again. Go Falcons!
By ATLien4Life!
July 28, 2006 10:36 AM | Link to this
As opposed to Serial Killers, 98% of which are white men, who kill people for no good reason at all except the voices in their heads, right Bo????
You and Peter should go to lunch sometime; I’m sure you’d have a lot to talk about, what with all us “coloureds” running around free and all…
By Rob Hicks
July 28, 2006 10:40 AM | Link to this
VA Tech must be proud. “This ain’t the first time somebody had me on the internet..” No Mike, it sure “ain’t”. Keep it real though, home-slice. Apparently skipped English and Speech. “Best athlete on the planet” admits he phoned it in on the last game of the season. Last game? Um, newsflash: That’s not the only time he’s phoned in a performance. There’s a hundred million reason$ this guy shouldn’t be lazy. His boss and his paying fans will have to agree with me. Good luck this year Mr. Mexico.
By C tha 1
July 28, 2006 10:44 AM | Link to this
@Bo,
I would try to explain some things to you, but it would take too long, and my job requires me to do other things than sit on the internet all day. Plus I won’t defend senseless murders, but if the news shapes your perception of young black men, or even the world at large it is easy to tell you are quite brainwashed. Take the red pill and get out the Matrix.
By mike
July 28, 2006 10:46 AM | Link to this
You people crack me up. Vick sucks and will continue to suck and you clowns will find excuses about how another young black man is being put down. The sooner you realize that it has nothing to do with Vick being black and has more to do with the FACT that Vick simply isn’t a good QB and that he is a terrible role model the quicker we can move on to finding a better person for the role.
Some of you are just flat out dillusional. Vick the best Athlete on the planet. LOL He isn’t even top 10.
One thing that you all need to realize is what “perception” means. I don’t care if it is or is not a gang sign. The general population beleives it is so it is. Is it right no… But thats simply how it is. It certainly looks like some sort of gang sign to me.
Trade Vick now for some young talented players and build a team around the TEAM not one player. IE: New England.
By SCHAWAUB FAN
July 28, 2006 10:49 AM | Link to this
I NO A GUY WHOS CUZIN ONCE SOLD SUM POT TO A FRIEND OF VICKS AND HE TOLD ME THAT THE GUY WAS GOING TO GIVE IT TO VICK BUT THIS WAS SUM TIME AGO SO I DONT NO IF VICK STILL SMOKIN WEED MR BLANKS U NEED 2 MAKE SHUR VICK DONT DO NO MO POT SMOKIN
By Warren
July 28, 2006 10:56 AM | Link to this
Really, who cares if he is smoking a joint. I just assumed he smoked pot, like about half the population under the age of 60. The press is going to do what it is going to do, but all the public should worry about is how he plays football, as long as he is not hurting anyone else.
By SCHAWAUB FAN
July 28, 2006 10:58 AM | Link to this
U KNOW THE REAZEN VICK DONE STARTING SMOKIN WEED IS CUZ CRAIG NAPP IS RUININ VICK CHANCE OF BEING BETER CUZ NAPPS OFFENCE IS 2 PREDIKTABLE MR BLANKS PLEEZ DO SUMTIN ABOUT CRAIG NAPP AN HIS 2 PREDIKTABLE OFFENCE NOW
By mike
July 28, 2006 11:02 AM | Link to this
Warren,
The police care and so does the NFL. You would care too if the NFL decides to suspend him. You must be high if you can’t figure out that very basic concept.
By Brian
July 28, 2006 11:05 AM | Link to this
Just another prison bound thug. You would think those people would be able to learn from each other’s mistakes. This is why it’s hard for me as a business owner to give them a chance. Their Upbringing is so screwed up…what do you expect? No father at home, the mothers are at home sitting on their butts getting fat using MY tax dollars to take care of them, and the glorification of being a Thug. When does it end? I wish we could go back to a better America when people made things happen for themselves instead of looking for handouts and blaming the white man for all of your troubles.
By Big Bree
July 28, 2006 11:12 AM | Link to this
I’ve never been so disappointed to read a blog since blogging started! I’m even more disappointed to know that we still have so many IGNORANT AZZ folks out there who don’t even realize how IGNORANT they are. Peter, Janice, Roflcopter (or what the hell ever) and the others who obviously have a problem with the person that Michael Vick is, should all just keep your comments to yourselves and save face. So what if he doesn’t speak gramatically correct, so what if he smokes a cigar (that some idiot reports as a blunt), so what if he throws up a Kappa, 3-Time Pro-Bowler (not gang), sign. People you should all THINK before you talk. If more people thought first and gave the benefit of the doubt sometimes, this world would be a better place. Most of you people making these absurd observations don’t even know this man personally enough for you to even speak on the matter. You’re a product of your environment and Mike’s home grew a lot of kids that turned out as thugs, drug dealers, and basically losers but he overcame all of this with God-given talent. I’m sure he can tell you of many guys with God-Given talent that didn’t make it out. Don’t condemn the man for who God made him to be. Accept him for who God made him to be (The Atlanta Falcons QB included) and concentrate on making yourself a better person!!
By Bo
July 28, 2006 11:13 AM | Link to this
If Vick were white, we’d never be talking about this. I do think it’s a good move on the part of Marcus to set up a satellite parole office in Flowery Branch though, good move. Saves his guys from driving downtown to see The Man. If Vick owned as many books as he does diamonds, maybe someone other the residents of Building C in the projects could understand him? For each Vick allowed in college, a smart white kid was denied. When does Marcus start medical school? He was an honor student, like Vick..right? You people kill me. Hurry, go rename a street, the city has a blank green street sign.
By Gee Wallace
July 28, 2006 11:14 AM | Link to this
I love this blog, it is always funny! The comments that some of you(white people) are absolutely ridiculous. We all spend too much time worrying about things that don’t matter. It doesn’t matter that he is smoking a Black & Mild, or that he is holding up a sign of sort, or that the woman he is with may or may not be ugly. What matters is that he spent more time working in the off-season to get better. I like Mike, but like most people, would like him to be a better quaterback and lead our team to the Super Bowl. That is what should matters to us most as FANS!!!! Lastly, if one of the all-american white boys(Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, or whoever you all feel is God and not ghetto) were quaterbacking the Falcons last year, we still wouldn’t have been any better last year. And to agree with the point of a previous poster, even you people that think you are grammatically correct(white people) need to move to England if you want to hear correct english, because no of us here in America do so. I have more to say about(white people), but that’s for a different blog.
By Florida Evans
July 28, 2006 11:14 AM | Link to this
It’s amazing: some people go out of their way to “keep it real” by dressing like a thug … and then they’re offended when people assume that they ARE a thug.
By doug
July 28, 2006 11:18 AM | Link to this
Bret Favre can wear a budweiser baseball cap,a cut-off flannel shirt,have skoal or chewing tobacco in his mouth while giving a press confrence but no one calls him a thug.People say negative things about black athletes,but what about the igonrant country,hillbilly talking NASCAR drivers? How about those violent thugs in pro hockey?
By Gee Wallace
July 28, 2006 11:20 AM | Link to this
I love this blog, it is always funny! The comments that some of you(white people) are absolutely ridiculous. We all spend too much time worrying about things that don’t matter. It doesn’t matter that he is smoking a Black & Mild, or that he is holding up a sign of sort, or that the woman he is with may or may not be ugly. What matters is that he spent more time working in the off-season to get better. I like Mike, but like most people, would like him to be a better quaterback and lead our team to the Super Bowl. That is what should matters to us most as FANS!!!! Lastly, if one of the all-american white boys(Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, or whoever you all feel is God and not ghetto) were quaterbacking the Falcons last year, we still wouldn’t have been any better last year. And to agree with the point of a previous poster, even you people that think you are grammatically correct(white people) need to move to England if you want to hear correct english, because no of us here in America do so. I have more to say about(white people), but that’s for a different blog.
By Steve
July 28, 2006 11:20 AM | Link to this
Man. some people are stupid. If you don’t know anything just ask a question. I knew it was a frat sign not a gang sign. Almost every black person knew it was a Kappa sign.
Shaq is a member of Omega and we all know that he has never been in gang. Mike Jordan is a member of the same frat as Shaq. They had flash the frat sign.
Finally, who said that lady is ugly. She looks good to me. Would you be please if he dated someone near white? BTW, The Falcons will win the Super Bowl and Vick will shut y’all up for good.
By chris deighan
July 28, 2006 11:21 AM | Link to this
You crack ME up, Mike. IMHO, he’s THE most exciting player in the league right now and I’m glad he’s a Falcon.
By Brian
July 28, 2006 11:22 AM | Link to this
Excellent post Florida Evans…Donovan McNabb seems to GET IT. And if ONE can get it, all can get it. I knew it wouldn’t be long before the Oppressed people would start dropping the Race Card. Seems like that’s the easy thing to do. Hide behind the Race Card. geez. I have alot of Black friends and they agree with me too. If you dress and act like a thug..chances are, you’re a thug. Wow who would have thunk it.
By Steve
July 28, 2006 11:27 AM | Link to this
Man. some people are stupid. If you don’t know anything just ask a question. I knew it was a frat sign not a gang sign. Almost every black person knew it was a Kappa sign.
Shaq is a member of Omega and we all know that he has never been in gang. Mike Jordan is a member of the same frat as Shaq. They had flash the frat sign.
Finally, who said that lady is ugly. She looks good to me. Would you be please if he dated someone near white? BTW, The Falcons will win the Super Bowl and Vick will shut y’all up for good.
By Steve
July 28, 2006 11:33 AM | Link to this
Man. some people are stupid. If you don’t know anything just ask a question. I knew it was a frat sign not a gang sign. Almost every black person knew it was a Kappa sign.
Shaq is a member of Omega and we all know that he has never been in gang. Mike Jordan is a member of the same frat as Shaq. They had flash the frat sign.
Finally, who said that lady is ugly. She looks good to me. Would you be please if he dated someone near white? BTW, The Falcons will win the Super Bowl and Vick will shut y’all up for good.
By Scott
July 28, 2006 11:35 AM | Link to this
Typical black responses. If it’s something said negative about a black, they always whine by saying somebody is a racist instead of correcting the problem.
By mike
July 28, 2006 11:36 AM | Link to this
Chris,
Exciting doesn’t win ball games. Brady isn’t by any stretch as exciting at Vick. He however has 3 rings. 4th quarter down by 6 with the ball. I’d take Brady’s boring a*s game over Mr Exciting every single time and twice on Sundays.
By George
July 28, 2006 11:42 AM | Link to this
It’s amazing: some people go out of their way to “keep it real” by dressing like a thug … and then they’re offended when people assume that they ARE a thug.
Its amazing: People assume being a thug means looking like Mike when the reality is there are waaaaay more thugs in suits, flashing nice smiles and proper handshakes.
By Morpheus
July 28, 2006 11:52 AM | Link to this
Schultz, Have you anything better to do? That easily could have been a picture of you sitting bear a friend holding a pencil. It is all about choices people. Michael chose to take a picture with a young lady. There is no smoke in the picture. End of discussion there. Schultz chose to make this into a story. What is the agenda. Speculation is not news. The only fact is that Michael is in a picture with a young lady. As far as the thug stuff goes, does anyone have a copy of Michael’s police records?
Michael was man enough to make some admissions and concessions regarding his career. He told the facts. Try to use your minds just for one day, and anything that is not factual, put it in your mental trash can. You will see your way out to truth.
And find something better to do than follow a reporter/columnist who decides that rumor and speculation is a story!!
By RAY P.
July 28, 2006 11:53 AM | Link to this
great acticle shultz, once again you’ve brought them good ol’ boys out of the woodwork. don’t you have something more important to write about. this is a non-issue first of all what he has in his hand is a black n mild cigar(swisher sweets), now i know sometimes they take the cigar apart & put marijuana in it but from that picture you have no proof of what he is smoking based on that picture & u have no idea how long ago this picture was taken. so this article is much ado about nothing. this man makes a lot of money can he not enjoy a night on the town what’s the big deal if he wants to smoke a cigar or have an occassional drink. can he not have a life outside if football or is he suppossed to be studying his playbook every minute of everyday, come on people lighten up. this is the start of hopefully a great season vick is saying all the right things. he fessed up about what anyone who watched that last game that he didn’t play as hard as he could’ve;mike you weren’t the only one who laid down that game;he wasn’t the one missing tackles & letting d. foster & s. smith run all over the field, so i respect him for taking responsibility as a leader should. but that’s water under the bridge they’ve gotten rid of a lot of dead weight(b. scott, k. carpenter) & brought in some better personnel & a couple of guys coming back from injury it think things are going in a positive direction for the falcons. that’s what needs to be talked about shultz not this meaningless internet rumor/picture that proves nothing. and with that i’m gone.
By Brian
July 28, 2006 12:02 PM | Link to this
Its amazing: People assume being a thug means looking like Mike when the reality is there are waaaaay more thugs in suits, flashing nice smiles and proper handshakes
I.E. Puff Daddy and all of those other Rap Executives that you watch on BET, and Cribs bragging about what they own and how many cadillac’s they own. Dam shame how they mess those cars up with all of that gaudy bling bling. But all of the SUITS that work with and for me, turn profits, speak proper english, have outstanding business and life values. And are very good family and community men. Sorry if the Suits you have been exposed to haven’t GIVEN you enough in order for them to be accepted. Get off the express off ramps, and stop waiting for a handout. Pull yourself up by your bootstraps and work hard for what you want so you too can live this American Dream that so many other wealthy, successful, and professional blacks are doing. You people ostrisize your own, yet you get mad at THE MAN for telling you the truth. Bill Cobsy has taken heat from his own people for telling people what they need to do. And what does Bill do? He only contributes Millions to their colleges to support the furtherance of education. But they’d rather put Fifty Cents on a pedestal than to listen to what a very well respected afro American as Bill Cosby has to say. That tells me everything I need to know.
By Scott's mamma
July 28, 2006 12:04 PM | Link to this
Scott: typical white response. Someone points out obvious double standards applied to people of different races and you choose to ignore the obvious problem and instead fling additional fuel on the fire by denegrating blacks. Sorry if I used words to big for your hillbilly background.
By Brian
July 28, 2006 12:04 PM | Link to this
Its amazing: People assume being a thug means looking like Mike when the reality is there are waaaaay more thugs in suits, flashing nice smiles and proper handshakes
I.E. Puff Daddy and all of those other Rap Executives that you watch on BET, and Cribs bragging about what they own and how many cadillac’s they own. Dam shame how they mess those cars up with all of that gaudy bling bling. But all of the SUITS that work with and for me, turn profits, speak proper english, have outstanding business and life values. And are very good family and community men. Sorry if the Suits you have been exposed to haven’t GIVEN you enough in order for them to be accepted. Get off the express off ramps, and stop waiting for a handout. Pull yourself up by your bootstraps and work hard for what you want so you too can live this American Dream that so many other wealthy, successful, and professional blacks are doing. You people ostrisize your own, yet you get mad at THE MAN for telling you the truth. Bill Cobsy has taken heat from his own people for telling people what they need to do. And what does Bill do? He only contributes Millions to their colleges to support the furtherance of education. But they’d rather put Fifty Cents on a pedestal than to listen to what a very well respected afro American as Bill Cosby has to say. That tells me everything I need to know.
By bringbackdooley
July 28, 2006 12:22 PM | Link to this
What exactly does “dress like a thug” mean?? That term itself is racist. No one says Bret Farve dresses like a redneck. The we he dresses doesnt dictate who he is. Just because someone wears flashy jewlery, baggy jeans and a baseball cap, they are dressing like a thug? Since when does being a thug require a certain dress code? Can you explain what about the way he dresses qualifies him as thug status? Is it the clothes or his skin?
By C tha 1
July 28, 2006 12:27 PM | Link to this
It’s amazing how Mike Vick, (who does not have a criminal record) is a lightening rod for so much racial controversy. I don’t know the man from Adam, but he seems generally harmless. Still at the same time he rubs some people the wrong way…Amazing.
By Brian
July 28, 2006 12:27 PM | Link to this
What exactly does “dress like a thug” mean?? That term itself is racist. No one says Bret Farve dresses like a redneck. The we he dresses doesnt dictate who he is. Just because someone wears flashy jewlery, baggy jeans and a baseball cap, they are dressing like a thug? Since when does being a thug require a certain dress code? Can you explain what about the way he dresses qualifies him as thug status? Is it the clothes or his skin?
Now do you really want an answer? Or are you looking to simply make excuses for a brotha that is being held down by THE MAN…yeah paying him 130 million is very oppressive. Watch the news sparky..when those guys are arrested, they always seem to have on, tee shirts and baggy jeans…Humm exactly what Vick has on in this picture. Perception is usually reality. Then you add the fact that he’s got a Joint in hand. But, let’s Ignore what we see, and figure out what Race Card we can throw out there and hide behind instead of seeing IT for what it is.
By melly-mel
July 28, 2006 12:36 PM | Link to this
ITS A BLACK AND MILD, ITS NOT A GANG SIGN, WHICH BY THE WAY IS THE STUPIDEST THING I HAVE EVER HEARD WHICH I AM SURE SOME DUMB A** WHITE PERSON SAID, QUIT HATING ON VICK YALL JUST MAD BECAUSE HE IS WORTH 100 MILLION AND YALL AREN’T YOU ALL FORGET HE IS HUMAN AND PUTS HIS PANTS ON ONE LEG AT A TIME
By Brian
July 28, 2006 12:40 PM | Link to this
ITS A BLACK AND MILD, ITS NOT A GANG SIGN, WHICH BY THE WAY IS THE STUPIDEST THING I HAVE EVER HEARD WHICH I AM SURE SOME DUMB A* WHITE PERSON SAID, QUIT HATING ON VICK YALL JUST MAD BECAUSE HE IS WORTH 100 MILLION AND YALL AREN’T YOU ALL FORGET HE IS HUMAN AND PUTS HIS PANTS ON ONE LEG AT A TIME*
This is a classic example of why whites feel the way we do about these Hip hop thuggers. First of all, it’s hard to understand what you are saying, and secondly calling white’s expletives. Why the anger if you are simply having a calm discussion. Sad…The more you guys talk the more you prove me right.
By Brian
July 28, 2006 12:41 PM | Link to this
ITS A BLACK AND MILD, ITS NOT A GANG SIGN, WHICH BY THE WAY IS THE STUPIDEST THING I HAVE EVER HEARD WHICH I AM SURE SOME DUMB A* WHITE PERSON SAID, QUIT HATING ON VICK YALL JUST MAD BECAUSE HE IS WORTH 100 MILLION AND YALL AREN’T YOU ALL FORGET HE IS HUMAN AND PUTS HIS PANTS ON ONE LEG AT A TIME*
This is a classic example of why whites feel the way we do about these Hip hop thuggers. First of all, it’s hard to understand what you are saying, and secondly calling white’s expletives. Why the anger if you are simply having a calm discussion. Sad…The more you guys talk the more you prove me right.
By C tha 1
July 28, 2006 12:41 PM | Link to this
@Brian,
Since you want to see it for what it is…that’s not a Joint in the man’s hand. Do you know what a joint looks like? Well that’s not it. Make whatever assumptions you will about baggy jeans, and t-shirts in the case of Micheal Vick, he has never displayed an aggressive, malcontent attitude toward the media. He is an athelete…hey life is like high school and society has put this man on a pedestal with all his warts (no pun intended) showing. He may not behave in the manner some people would like him to, but does Chuck Daly curb his partying ways to appease the fans and sponsors of the PGA. NO! And Mike Vick is no where near his level of debauchery.
The perception you hold of young black men is simply clouded. You or your co-workers (even if they are black) simply over generalize based off of whatever experiences you may have.
By Waymon
July 28, 2006 01:01 PM | Link to this
You peckerwoods are always crying about the “race card”, but who’s the first to say this man is affiliated with a GANG? If Matt Schaub holds up 3 fingers, would you say he’s affiliated with a gang?
IDIOTS!!
By morris
July 28, 2006 01:03 PM | Link to this
I don’t understand your country accents either when “ya’ll” talk. Half of you on this blog are probaly child molesters surfing the internet.Because 90% of child molesters,rapists and serial killers are white males.
By Tee
July 28, 2006 01:06 PM | Link to this
You peckerwoods are always crying about the “race card”, but who’s the first to say this man is affiliated with a GANG? If Matt Schaub holds up 3 fingers, would you say he’s affiliated with a gang?
IDIOTS!!
By Chicago
July 28, 2006 01:10 PM | Link to this
Stupid column + mostly idiotic comments = more reason to avoid the AJC.
By Tee
July 28, 2006 01:15 PM | Link to this
You peckerwoods think every black male over the age of 2 yrs old is affiliated with a gang…lol
By mike
July 28, 2006 01:27 PM | Link to this
When Matt Schuab does it then we can discuss. However I doubt we will ever see him make such a mistake. Thats the difference.
By dealwithit
July 28, 2006 01:32 PM | Link to this
LOL!!!! Y’all (excuse me, “you all”) just can’t stand it that we have a black quarterback. You’re always trying to find something negative to say about him. All I have to say is get use to it because he’ll be around for a while!! IDIOTS!!!
By Brian
July 28, 2006 01:34 PM | Link to this
Mr. Dally to my knowledge doesn’t have many endorsements or not many that I use that I see him. He’s a drunk, he’s admitted this and NO one including him will make excuses for his actions. Mike..you took the words out of my mouth. You won’t see Schaub giving women STD’s, with his pants hanging down to his ankles, or acting thuggish.
By JG
July 28, 2006 01:41 PM | Link to this
By Janice McDonald
July 28, 2006 07:11 AM | Link to this
Mike Vick needs to concentrate on speaking proper English/grammar and stop acting like the thug he wants to be. Notice all other high profile and high dollar quarterbacks in the league, whether black, white or other, act and speak with intelligence. I have never heard him speak in any way but ghetto slang. This is not a good face on the Falcon Organization.
what does speaking good english have to do with anything??? that is the most dumbest thing i heard. he is not an english teacher. who gives a crap how he speaks???some of u people come up with the dumbest things. and no one speaks proper english, many of the words we use and dont realize are slang words and r not proper.
and because u throw up hand signs that makes u a gang member??? come on u people r really dumb. people make up hand signs all the time for no reason.
and because i wear baggy jeans, t shirts, fitted hats does not make me a thug. not everybody wants to wear skin tight baby looking shirts and jeans u can hardly breath in. white people always want other races to dress just like them, act just like them, and talk just like them. never except the fact that people dress and talk different.
“By Brian
July 28, 2006 10:30 AM | Link to this
I’m not afraid of black men. Some are very productive preachers, policemen, mailmen, etc. But this rap music that teaches you to go out, fill your mouth full of jewelry, and beat your whore, and shoot up a rival gang memeber for some Street Cred is just ridiculous. Seems like alot of these big money athletes that come from the Hood seem to keep their Ghetto ways instead of cleaning up their act and becoming positive role models for their community and their people.”
u know very little of hip hop, rap music is not about that. rap is just like any other music genre, there songs can b about anything. so why r u making a stupid comment like that??? no one is talking about metal music where they rape people, worship the devil. at least i know that rock n roll is not about that. and the hip hop can range from all sorts of things from the good to the bad just like any other genre of music. so get your head out your a*s.
okay BRIAN, the people that r usually raping someones daugther or son and killing people for fun, what color r they??? HMMMM. since u r saying that if a person dresses like a so called “thug” must b thug. so if the person is white, dresses like a hilbilly chances r they r a KKK member or a serial killer… right??? the mob dress in nice suits, so if u where a suit u must b a mob member… right??? if u dress like paris hilton, chances r u r a slut,a whore, stuck up, rude, spoiled…right???
i dont know where u live, but there r many people that dress like Mike Vick, including myself that dress in that “urban”, “hip hop” style clothing and r not thugs. we wear what we want to wear and thats the bottom line.
By mike
July 28, 2006 01:52 PM | Link to this
You people are amazing. Fine continue dressing like a total idiot I am fine with it. Just don’t complain when no one will hire you. Whats fun