AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > August > 15 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USPlea won’t please NFL commish
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Terence Moore
Do you remember what happened on Saturday, April 28, 2007?
Roger Goodell does.
Boy, does he.
That’s when the NFL commissioner asked Michael Vick if he was involved in illegal dogfighting. That’s when the Falcons quarterback looked Goodell in the eyes and said he wasn’t involved in illegal dogfighting and that none of it occurred on his Virginia property.
That’s when Vick set himself up for leaving the NFL for a long, long time and likely forever.
Maybe you’ve heard. Vick and his lawyers are discussing whether to accept a plea deal from the feds by Friday. If Vick does so, he would be telling the world that he was involved in illegal dogfighting and that it did occur on his Virginia property.
Translated: Goodell would not be pleased, especially since the no-nonsense commissioner doesn’t strike me as somebody with amnesia.
Permalink | Comments (57) | Categories: Falcons / NFL, Quick Hit, Terence Moore
Comments
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By Dan S.
August 15, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this
I think Goodell will ban him for at least two years. Come 2009 is any team going to want to associate with Vick?
We’ve likely seen the last of him in the NFL.
By Larry
August 15, 2007 12:53 PM | Link to this
Behavior never lies!
By gandhi
August 15, 2007 1:00 PM | Link to this
Terrence Moore, You have got to be the whitest black man I have ever heard. Every topic involving a black athlete you take the right side and crush them. You are an Uncle Tom!! Gandhi
By Ron Roberts
August 15, 2007 1:00 PM | Link to this
Good; now the Vick supporters wearing those blinders can take ‘em off and get on with their lives.
Incidentally, since you’re not (most of you) fans of the T-E-A-M you might wanna go ahead and put your season tickets up for re-sale so the real fans can buy ‘em and pack the dome.
By Mike K.
August 15, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this
Dan I think someone gives Vick a shot after his suspension. As long as a GM or owner thinks a player can help them win, they don’t care if they smoke dope (Ricky Williams), rape women (Lawrence Phillips), or kill people while driving drunk (Leonard Little).
By tyger
August 15, 2007 1:05 PM | Link to this
Thomas Moore is a pitiful example of Affirmative Action, they found these dimwits and put them on front street just to show black incompetence, so he sings like a parrot for every neo-con in the nation. And what does he get?
A pat on the head. Good boy, Thomas, youre doing a great job!
By ATLien
August 15, 2007 1:07 PM | Link to this
Dan, you are about as big an idiot as Mr. Moore here!! You can best bet that the negotiations are happening NOT ONLY with the Feds…but with the NFL as well. Any accepted plea will allow Vick to play again. Maybe not for the Falcons, but he’ll play for someone.
By MARK
August 15, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this
WOW!!! The BLACK columnist named Terrence Moore is conceding that by striking a deal Vick is admitting guilt?!?!?!?!?!?! You mean it’s not just a case of whitey trying to pick on the poor ol’ black man?!?!?!?!NOW I’VE SEEN EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By jim from va
August 15, 2007 1:12 PM | Link to this
terence, why can’t other african-american columnists be more like you? you look at the facts. instead we get steven a smith who never saw a black athlete he couldnt defend. thank god for you and jason whitlock!
By Jermaine
August 15, 2007 1:12 PM | Link to this
Gandhi, if you think Terrence Moore is the “whitest black man” you have ever heard, then you haven’t heard many people because Terrance is about as black as they get. You go Terrence!
By mark
August 15, 2007 1:13 PM | Link to this
Ghandi- you must be kidding!!!! You have to be thinking of a different Terrance Moore!!! TM does nothing but turn non-stories into racial issues. Example? The braves only have one african american on their team and it’s a huge deal!!! It must be racial!!!!!!
By UnHappyFan
August 15, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this
You know, it could be better for Vick to plea for the NFL.
I just have to wonder if a trial goes down, who else on the Falcons gets implicated. Half the team could be brought in.
Life can be ironic. What if Vick, because of how deep this may run, ends up playing for Falcons next year.
If they don’t let Vick ever play again, and he gets ticked off, it could get interesting just who else gets fingered.
By BJ
August 15, 2007 1:20 PM | Link to this
Terrence and ALL IDIOTS: Listen to Chris Mortenson of ESPN. Also, look to see what Steve Wyche of the AJC is saying. They make much more sense than this garbage! Terrence you are trying WAY too hard to win over the people who have criticized you for years! You are a man without a country!!!
By cursive
August 15, 2007 1:20 PM | Link to this
OK, before this becomes another shouting match between different races, let’s get the issue that was brought up in Moore’s blog… If Vick does plead guilty, then he did lie to Roger Goodell. Roger Goodell has MV7’s NFL future in his hands as long as he is commish… If/when Vick gets out of jail, he will still be at the mercy of Goodell. His playing days are in the hands of a strict disciplinarian to whom he may well have lied… Doesn’t look good for Ookie.
By TigerPaw
August 15, 2007 1:20 PM | Link to this
Gandhi- the truth hurts! You think Mr. Moore is an Uncle Tom just because he sides with the facts. I don’t know what rock you have been hiding under, but T. Moore has always defended “the black man” no matter what. Your ignorance reveals your true stupidity. You are a “blind loyalist.” Fight for what’s good about our culture and don’t defend a criminal.
By mad dog
August 15, 2007 1:20 PM | Link to this
By Andruw
August 15, 2007 1:25 PM | Link to this
Damn Terence Moore give it a rest!!!!!!!
By ken
August 15, 2007 1:26 PM | Link to this
To all who think this isn’t a racial issue, don’t be so naive. I am a white man and i am ashamed at the ignorant, hateful, and racist remarks the white people are putting in here. Where is the outrage about NBA referee “Tim Donaghy” who is a white man and is guilty of 2 counts of felony betting. I am and always have been a Mike Vick supporter because i hate the sin and not the sinner. I love animals and own 3 dogs, but to spew this kind of hate at an individual, you would think he had murdered a family of 5. He will pay for his crimes just as you will pay for yours. If i was his attorneys, i would just tell him to do like we (white folks do). Say that we need help and therapy, go off for 3 weeks and continue with our lives. You hateful, racist, ignorant, uneducated crackers make me sick. I am white but right now i wish i was anything but, you are an eyesore to humanity.
By red hot
August 15, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this
ghandi, I did not read anything racial in his column. If you have been following the case, he has to choose between admitting guilt or taking a chance at additional charges which could amount to more jail time. Black or white, Michael Vick put himself in this position. HE’s A GROWN MAN!!
By John
August 15, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this
I have known and read Terence Moore since he covered the Big Red Machine in Cincy b ack in the ‘70’s. Don’t think for a moment that he’s on the side of federal law breakers. It’s too bad that life is viewed by many in our country, and in this community thru a “color filter.” Look at the facts. Nobody cops a plea if they’re innocent.
By the truth
August 15, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this
Will the black community ever learn? o.j., vick, they just keep diggin a bigger hole.
By DUH
August 15, 2007 1:41 PM | Link to this
If he pleads to the dog fighting the gambling will on the dog fighting will probably be dropped and that is what the NFL doesn’t like is the gambling they could care less about anything else. He will get a slap on the wrist pronounce “I did’t get convicted for gambling”. Vick is just a thug. As Thugs go he will be in more trouble for something else. He can’t help it.
By Jamal
August 15, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this
I feel that he should go ahead and cop a plea so that he can get all of this behind him and not have to drag any other falcon players in this. Pleading quilty might be the best option for him at this point, that does not mean that he is quilty, it just might be the best business decision for him. Vick needs to do whatever is going to be best for him, if that is pleading guilty then so be it.
God bless Mike Vick!!!
By Georgiaboy
August 15, 2007 1:44 PM | Link to this
Hey Ron Roberts,
By Thomas
August 15, 2007 1:45 PM | Link to this
This article is ridiculous!! Awww…Michael Vick lied to the commissioner so he can’t play football anymore and he’s going to be sent to the principal’s office. Give me a break. This is a business and Michael Vick sells tickets bottomline. In April he didn’t know how deep he was in or that there were witnesses ready to testify against him. In 2 years noone will care about this.
By Georgiaboy
August 15, 2007 1:45 PM | Link to this
Hey Ron Roberts, You say let the Vick fans sell their season tickets, so the real Falcons fans can pack the dome. Why wasn’t the dome packed before Vick came to Atlanta?
By It is what it is
August 15, 2007 1:46 PM | Link to this
If he takes the plea, he is indeed admitting guilt. This has nothing to do w/ race, money, fame, etc. He is being charged for crimes that are illegal in all 50 states. It is what it is folks! Thanks for keeping it real Mr. Moore, (which seems to be getting harder and harder to do with the Vick issue).
By T.Hill
August 15, 2007 1:47 PM | Link to this
You’re all idiots. If Vick really didn’t do it who do you think a jury is going to believe Vick or his boys speaking on behalf of the FEDS? Even if he didn’t do it, it will be hard for him to prove it with the world against him. And when people get it in their minds that you did something your in trouble, just ask all of the men who are being freed due to new DNA test that got them off the hook. Oh they did it until they proved that they didn’t, that’s just wrong. And I guess the cops who did the investigation back then arrested these guys because they knew they were not guilty. Do you know we have states that will not reopen old cases because they can’t afford the law suits that will follow when a flood of people are released after wrongly being locked away.
By THerrod
August 15, 2007 1:51 PM | Link to this
Mr. Moore:
What is your point? Mike Vick is going to lose his freedom, his job, millions of dollars and be forever associated with the crime of dogfighting. Why do you hate the guy so much? Did he p** you off because he would grant you exclusive access? Show some class. The guy has lost enough already. What kind of Black Man are you to continue to kick the guy when he is already down. You will get yours soon enough sir!!!
By Georgiaboy
August 15, 2007 1:52 PM | Link to this
Hey Ron Roberts, You say let the Vick fans sell their season tickets so that the real Falcon fans can pack the dome. Why wasn’t the dome packed before Vick came to Atlanta?
By Justin
August 15, 2007 1:53 PM | Link to this
How come Micheal vick has to be held responsible for what goes on in his Virginia Home, and Patrick Kerney, was not held responsible for a rape that occured at his Atlanta home? And he was in the house when this event was supposed to have happend.
By Mike
August 15, 2007 1:53 PM | Link to this
First of all, I cannot believe anyone could, with straight face, call T. Moore and “Uncle Tom”. In the past, he has inserted race into discussions where I do not believe it belonged. I have always thought he tries to insert race wherever he can find a crack to stick it through. I believe he is right up there with Ms. Tucker on the editorial page, meaning they are both trying to be civil rights crusaders even when the issue does not involve civil rights. With that said, Mr. Moore and Ms. Tucker have both acknowledged facts with regard to M. Vick and former Mayor Campbell. To call him an “Uncle Tom” only diminishes his efforts when there truly is a racial injustice that needs sunlight shined on it. In fact, the AJC columnists are the greatest advocates of African-America causes that are heard by white Euro-Americans (white people). Frankly, anyone that thinks this is a race issue probably takes no responsibility for their own lives and equates success or failure, good decisions or bad, solely on the color of a persons skin. In other words they view themselves with bigotry and are a large obstacle to a colorblind society. Personally, I wish the story would just go away. I would much prefer seeing Mr. Wyche and Mr. Moore on ESPN talking about something positive going on in Atlanta, rather than race issues and sports related scandals. If you cannot hold Michael Vick responsible for his actions, then try his enabler/wheel chair pusher/pillow fluffer/towel holder, etc., Mr Arthur Blank!
By ej
August 15, 2007 1:53 PM | Link to this
TM has taken the color-blind high road on this one - thank you!
If Vick were really innocent, he would fight it tooth & nail, he has the resources. If he pleads guilty it’s because he is guilty and he’s doing damage control - pretty easy to understand.
As a Falcon’s fan, I feel the loss and disapointment at losing a good quarter. Doesn’t much matter to me how we lost him. It’s all about the Falcons.
By Lowcountry Bulldawg
August 15, 2007 1:55 PM | Link to this
ATLien,
Why do you think the NFL would negotiate with Vick? What do they have to gain by keeping him in the league? The NFL does not need Vick, they were just fine before he came into the league.
Vick is 27 right now. He possibly could be 30 by the time he is able to think about petitioning the league to play again. If that is the case what kind of skill set will he bring? Michael Vick has played his last down in the NFL.
By Bobby Cocks
August 15, 2007 1:55 PM | Link to this
Terence may be an idiot, a fool, and the worst writer in the history of journalism, but one thing he IS NOT, is an Uncle Tom!!
This does prove to me he’s not a TOTAL racist…
By Idoits!
August 15, 2007 1:55 PM | Link to this
Ken, the reason why no one cares about “Tim Donaghy” is that no one cares about the NBA. The biggest joke in sports betting is that the NBA has always been fixed. There is no logic to it. Also, nobody buys referee jerseys, no referee’s sell products, there pictures do not hang in the lobby of the arena, they don’t have playing cards…Name me 3 other referees….thought so!
What kind of hate are you talking about. We are talking about a year in jail. If he killed 5 people then he would be looking at life. Sorry, where are you confused on this? He lost his endorsements cause that is based on his image. Whether guilty or not his image is tarnished. That is the way life is. You don’t see Ray or Jamal Lewis selling Gatorade,Powerade, on Nike commercials…do you?
I’m ready for a quarterback who wants to play football. Not one who wants to be cool to the neighborhood. I want one who can look over 3 receivers in under 4 seconds and make a decision. Most importantly, is I want a winning football team which we can never seem to have here. Yes, Vick took us to the playoffs. Yes, he had a great run against Minnesota(2002…long time ago). But truthfully I just want to have back to back winning seasons. Something even Vick hasn’t done here. This whole off season has been an embarrassment to the organization and the city.
By media hate
August 15, 2007 1:56 PM | Link to this
MOORE YOU WERE RIGHT ON THE FACTS THIS GO AROUND. BUT YOU STARTED LONG BEFORE NOW WITH THROWING VICK UNDER THE BUS. VICK DID WRONG AND HE MUST PAY. THE HATERS ARE FULL OF JOY TO SEE HIM FALL DOWN. SO IS AJC AND THE SPORT WRITER SCUM HATERS OF BLACK PLAYER. BUT VICK YOU DID DO WRONG AND YOU MUST PAY FOR BEING A FOOL. BUT WE STILL FORGIVE YOU VICK. TO ALL OTHER BLACK PLAYER THEY ARE OUT TO GET YOU TO . MOORE & SCHULTZ WILL YOU FOR GIVE VICK ARE WILL YOU KEEP PUSHING HATE? WHY IS IT THE MOST HATED PLAYERS IN SPORTS ARE BLACK?OH HOT HATE SELLS. BUT MOORE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PUMP UP GOODELL LET HIM DO HIS JOB AND YOU LEARN HOW TO DO YOUR! AJC NEEDS NEW BLOOD IN THE SPORTS NEWS ROOM!
By Georgiaboy
August 15, 2007 1:56 PM | Link to this
I wish the AJC would suspend Terrence Moore for a year.
By MikeB
August 15, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this
Please tell me why so many knuckleheads want this to be about race? Look at the facts and close your racist eyes to the skin color. The man guilty of a federal crime not of being black! It is stupid people like Gandhi who keep dwelling on race. I guess in Gandhi’s eyes O.J. was another victim of being black and is earnestly looking on the golf course for the “real” killer!
By Jackie
August 15, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this
Terence, while you may be right in your opinion about Vick and how Goodell will respond…..let’s just hope YOU walk the straight and narrow bro’man….and never get caught doing anything stupid in this city, cause the way you are throwing bricks at Michael Vick may very well come back to bite you.
By T.Hill
August 15, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this
To the person who said “Look at the facts. Nobody cops a plea if they’re innocent” I guess nobody files bankruptcy unless they are broke right? Sorry dude you don’t know the game.
By Falcon 4 Life
August 15, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this
You have got to be the WORSE columnist ever. I don’t like Goodell because of the stance that he takes in suspending players before the legal process takes over. No institution, organization or professional sporting league should have that type of power. If Goodell makes a decision based on his feelings instead of facts and if Vick would make his legal decisions because he doesn’ want to upset the NFL Commissioner something is very wrong with that picture. For all of you who thinks that he shouldn’t plea and thinks that our legal process is truly based on facts instead of emotions, please grow up. When you walk a mile in Michael Vick shoes and being the most hated man in America after Osama bin Laden then talk about what you should and shouldn’t do. Moore, if you can’t be more insightful than this you should be in fear of losing your job.
By Michael
August 15, 2007 1:59 PM | Link to this
We are all better served in going forward with the “race card” in Atlanta taken out of the deck BOTH BLACK AND WHITE!. Atlanta is a great town with fantastic opportunities for everyone that respects the truth and plays by the rules. Let’s focus on supporting the guys on the field…Vicks’fate does nothing good for them or us!
By David Lee
August 15, 2007 2:00 PM | Link to this
It’s called THUG LIFE - Lie, cheat, and steal. It’s all part of the hustle.
By mel
August 15, 2007 2:01 PM | Link to this
Ken, as many people pointed out on the MV blog earlier today to you, Tim Donaghy (why is his name in quotes?) is probably going to turn state’s evidence- implicating others (refs? players? coaches?) and by sealing his plea they are protecting that bit of info he has for them (along with Donaghy himself).
And if you don’t think there is outrage about the whole situation, go to Foxsports, ESPN, etc and see. Atlanta doesn’t give a rip about the NBA because we have the Hawks.
I for one am tired of the distractions MV brings. I defended his flicking off the fans, defended the water bottle (until the lame excuse he gave), but there are some actions that he has made (blowing off Congress for example, spreading herpes, being involved with dogfighting) that are just not defendable.
By BCR
August 15, 2007 2:01 PM | Link to this
Not defending any of these dog fighting actions, but what was Mike Vick going to say? Yes, I was and am involved in dog fighting when Goodell asked him? Are you serious? The Feds could have called on Goodell to testify and that would have made things even worse for Mike Vick. Let’s put the dog fighting thing to the side and just look at this a any normal case. Lawyers will always tell you not to say anything that is incriminating becuase in will make their job that much harder. Could this affect Goodell’s decision on Mike? Yes, but I doubt it will weigh that heavily.
By Attorney
August 15, 2007 2:02 PM | Link to this
I wish Vick was paying me to handle his case. It certainly doesn’t take the top attorneys in the Country to figure this out.
First, Vick will plead- there is zero chance you send this guy to trial with 8 witnesses testifying against him. That would lead to 3 years in jail and his career is over regardless of what the NFL does. Second, all his crackpot legal team is trying to work out is getting him a plea that keeps the NFL from suspending him beyond a year and a sentence that would get him out of jail before 2008 training camp. My guess is Vick will plead to a lesser charge and will get 9 months in jail out in 6 months with good behavior. Sad that Vick has probably spent $500,000 to get this very advice.
If Vick had any sense, he would have been the first to offer a plea giving him much stronger leverage on the actual plea charge and the time(if any) he would spend in jail. The last guy to plea always gets the worst deal whether he is famous or not.
By Debra
August 15, 2007 2:02 PM | Link to this
I believe in Vick no matter what happens. He is an awesome athlete! I was a old school football fan having grown up an only girl with 5 brothers. The Wide World of Sports was the theme at our home! I can only see him in a professional light. A young man you trusted his childhood friends and they not having good judgement in their dealings and for Mike his off field tensions are quiet shocking to most, but athletes had done worst. The Ravens star athlete was invovled in a double murder in Buckhead in 1999. And his co-defendants were aquited while he pleaded and went on to win a super bowl and keep his career.
Let’s not all hate this man. He is a great athlete and nothing will ever change that.
I Love Vickkkkkkkkkkkkkk!
By Dan
August 15, 2007 2:02 PM | Link to this
White folks can disagree with other white folks about racial issues but some black folks still struggle to understand how/why some other black folks don’t always take the “Black ” line. As far as we have come, we may still be a generation or two away from recognizing people as good or bad based on their character and actions and not solely on their race.
By dumi
August 15, 2007 2:04 PM | Link to this
Terrance, you are atypical black reporter who has to prove to Massa that you are a good * You can kill another *** for the Massa. Terrance, do you think that we can have some articles on the referee
By Bobby Cocks
August 15, 2007 2:07 PM | Link to this
No Matt, you came from a culture that threw spears at, and ate, dogs…
By Amy
August 15, 2007 2:08 PM | Link to this
Where was this outcry for justice when the 92 year lady was murdered by police and they tried to cover it up???
By Attorney
August 15, 2007 2:08 PM | Link to this
T. Hill: While issuing a plea is a “game”, rarely does anyone plea if they are 100% innocent on 100% of the charges. Typically, a plea is a game of weighing the odds of being found guilty of certain charges versus taking a deal up front. Vick is weighing the existing indictment and has to consider the possibility of additional indictments. If he is 100% innocent of all things dog-fighting, I can guarantee that he wouldn’t plea.
By Harold
August 15, 2007 2:09 PM | Link to this
Please give it a rest!!!! Michael Vick is a grown damn man and he got himself into this, black-white-yellow or blue the facts still stand. Michael Vick should do the time in jail and never be on a NFL football field again. My three sons watch the NFL and look up to the players, so if we let him play what are we telling our children!!!!!!!!!
By Jeremy
August 15, 2007 2:09 PM | Link to this
I’m getting tired of this story being drug around, thrown on the front page of every publication.
Fact 1: Michael Vick was indicted for dog fighting.
Fact 2: This case is making national news because he is a sports celebrity, NOT because he is black.
Fact 3: No matter how dark things appear, the innocent will not admit guilt. (Special Circumstance to Fact 3: Cases where the innocent party or someone they care about is being tortured or in some other way abused)
Let’s face facts, Vick was involved in dog fighting and gambling on those fights. The only way to save himself from jail time is for him to turn on bigger fish. The question is, for the government, is there a bigger fish than the (former) starting quarterback for an NFL Team?
By AAA
August 15, 2007 2:14 PM | Link to this
his career is over, he made some really bad choices.. move on..
By Reasonable man
August 15, 2007 2:14 PM | Link to this
All you people saying that mike vick would not be admitting guilt if he cops a plea a extremely delusional, and possibly retarded. If he was innocent, he would be fighting this tooth and nail and trying to get it to trial as soon as possible. He certainly has the money, and the lawyers. To all the vick apologists, get a life retards. He is not even that great a quarterback anyway.