Poll: Ban Vick if he's guilty
Majority of Atlantans tuned into scandal involving QB


The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 07/25/07

Nearly two-thirds of metro Atlanta adults polled this week think Falcons quarterback Michael Vick should be banned from playing football if he's found guilty of dogfighting charges.

In all, 97 percent of people questioned said they were aware of the allegations against Vick.

Your Turn
Do you agree that Michael Vick should be banned from the NFL if he's convicted of the crimes he's charged with?
  Yes.
  No.


Voter Limit: Once per Hour
View Poll Results

The telephone poll of 622 people was conducted for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution July 23 and 24 by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research, Inc. The margin of error is plus or minus 4 percent.

Many respondents think Vick's high public profile is working to his benefit. Thirty percent of those familiar with the allegations think he's being treated better than an average citizen — of those, 89 percent said it was because he is a celebrity or famous athlete. Only 12 percent of those polled think Vick is being treated worse than an average citizen — of those, 56 percent said it had to do with his celebrity status.

On another sports story, loyalty to Hank Aaron appears to run deep here. Asked about Barry Bonds' pursuit of the former Atlanta Brave's all-time home run record, 74 percent of respondents said they were either "very" or "somewhat" familiar with it. Of those, 38 percent said they are rooting against Bonds, while 27 percent are rooting for him. And 62 percent think Bonds has taken performance-enhancing drugs.

In the end, it might not matter. Even if Bonds does pass Aaron, 52 percent said Hammerin' Hank should still be considered baseball's all-time home run king.

Among the poll's questions and results:

Q: Are you aware of the dog-fighting allegations regarding Falcons quarterback Michael Vick?

Yes: 97 percent

No: 3 percent

Q: Do you believe authorities are treating Vick better than an average citizen, worse than an average citizen, or the same as an average citizen?

Better: 30 percent

Worse: 12 percent

Same: 45 percent

Not sure: 13 percent

Q: If Vick is found guilty of dog fighting, do you feel he should or should not be banned from playing in the National Football League?

Should: 65 percent

Should not: 22 percent

Not sure: 13 percent

Q: Are you rooting for or against Barry Bonds breaking the all-time home run record currently held by Hank Aaron?

For: 27 percent

Against: 38 percent

Don't care: 35 percent

Q: What do you think is the primary reason some people are rooting against Bonds breaking the record?

Bonds Is A Cheat/Use Of Steroids: 67 percent

Don't Like Bonds Personality: 6 percent

His Race/Racial Factors: 5 percent

Don't Like Bonds' Team (S.F. Giants): 1 percent

Loyalty To Hank Aaron: 7 percent

Not Sure: 14 percent

Q: Do you think that Bonds has or has not taken performance-enhancing drugs, or not?

Has: 62 percent

Has not: 13 percent

Not sure: 25 percent

Sunday in the AJC: How does the question of race play into Atlanta's attitudes toward problematic Falcons quarterback Michael Vick?


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