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Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Shame on the Falcons’ head honchos
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Terence Moore
Michael Vick got it right. The NFL also got it right. As a result, members of the Falcons’ ownership and management teams are looking ridiculous for getting it absolutely wrong regarding the Dirty Bird from their quarterback toward fans on Sunday at the Georgia Dome.
In case you haven’t noticed, members of those ownership and management teams have said nothing.
Not a word.
Nary a comment to the public such as “Michael Vick’s actions were totally inappropriate,” or “We respect the fans’ right to boo, and we want our players to feel the same way,” or “We assure you that this will never happen again.”
So much for a franchise that supposedly is “fan friendly,” as it likes to boast. This also is a franchise that is about to jack up prices on suites and club seats after making renovations to the dome. You would think that members of those ownership and management teams would be yelling from the corner of every Peachtree street and road about their disgust over the face of their franchise embarrassing himself and the entire organization.
Oh, well. To Vick’s credit, he followed an apology that he issued Sunday night through team officials with a news conference the next day to express his regrets. He sounded and looked sincere.
Then came the NFL’s punishment on Tuesday. According to ESPN, he was fined $10,000, twice the amount that Jake Plummer and Randy Moss received for similar gestures, and the league also requested that Vick give another $10,000 to his favorite charity.
Maybe the NFL should fine members of the Falcons’ ownership and management teams for silence.
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