Vick meeting with Steelers

[Stryker]

Consider it much like his sponsors who dropped him and did not want him associated with their brand. I do not want my brand associated with him. For me it is an easy thing to do somethings are over the line his behavior is one. While he is on the team I will not watch games or display any steelers gear. It will require some changes on my part I will now have to find hats and jackets that do not have the word steelers on them.

For those of you that have no issue with him enjoy the season and I hope all is well with you and yours.

FYI Wing, Nike did resign him after dropping him. That's a first by a specific brand.

 

[SteelerSask2]

Consider it much like his sponsors who dropped him and did not want him associated with their brand. I do not want my brand associated with him. For me it is an easy thing to do somethings are over the line his behavior is one. While he is on the team I will not watch games or display any steelers gear. It will require some changes on my part I will now have to find hats and jackets that do not have the word steelers on them.

For those of you that have no issue with him enjoy the season and I hope all is well with you and yours.

And ask yourself this. How many major sponsors has Ben Roethlisberger endorsed since his incidents. And why is that considering his stature as a two time winner and 3 time participant in the SB. Does that make him a bad person?

 

[SteelerAl]

Wingman, how many posts are you going to make on this messageboard over the next 4 months? 0? 500?

I'm betting it's a lot.

 

[AggieSteel]

Also for those who say Vick isn't much of a QB anymore.. I agree he was just okay with the Jets last year. But imagine him in our offense? If Ben goes down, Vick will still be able to help us win games. Not just avoid losing them.

 

[Ghost of Frenchy Fuqua]

I guess some of y'all might become bowling fans...,with your newfound free time on gameday...

"Become" a bowling fan? I'm way ahead of you there.

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[Wingman]

And ask yourself this. How many major sponsors has Ben Roethlisberger endorsed since his incidents. And why is that considering his stature as a two time winner and 3 time participant in the SB. Does that make him a bad person?

Big difference in the incidents. One was accused, not indicted, not charged, not convicted. No wrong doing was proven.

The other was charged, and convicted wrong doing was proven.

Equating the two is not reasonable.

My choices are my own not based on the whims of a sponsor. I only used that to describe a reason for my no longer following and supporting the team I do not wish to be associated with him and things he does.

 

[SteelerSask2]

But you see Wingman it is a big difference by your worldview. I know people who still call him Rapelisberger. And at the bare minimum, he brought a terrible light to the team at teh time. And the Rooney's stood strong against a lot of pressure at the time. I fully expected him traded in the days proceeding the draft. But the Rooney's didn't cave to that pressure. The same pressure people like you are putting on right now. The difference is you like Ben Roethlisberger and don't like Mike Vick.

 

[antdrewjosh]

Let me also add if you are done with the Steelers because of this signing then you weren't a fan to begin with.

Maybe the reason they feel that way is BECAUSE they are fans. You ever consider that?
And for all those that feel he has repaid his debt and deserves a chance toearn a living, following that logic would be okay for a pedofile to resume his job at a school or daycare center? How about a rapist in a womens shelter or doctors office? Or an embezzler in a bank that oversees your retirement funds? All paid their debt, would that be okay?[/QUOTE]

There are dogs involved with football???

 

[Lloyds legend]

I don't get it.

The guy is a back up QB and improvement on the field to what we already have.

I get the anger towards him but to quit following the Steelers because of the signing years after it happened is crazy talk to me.

I certainly can't determine ones morality but to think we're watching a league full of choir boys is unrealistic. Think of all the bull **** NFL players have not only been accused of but have been prosecuted for.

 

[Atlsteelers]

Let me also add if you are done with the Steelers because of this signing then you weren't a fan to begin with.

Maybe the reason they feel that way is BECAUSE they are fans. You ever consider that?
And for all those that feel he has repaid his debt and deserves a chance toearn a living, following that logic would be okay for a pedofile to resume his job at a school or daycare center? How about a rapist in a womens shelter or doctors office? Or an embezzler in a bank that oversees your retirement funds? All paid their debt, would that be okay?[/QUOTE]

So you are comparing an animal to women and children? Definitely no excuse for what he did but come on.

With your logic on principles then why not turn away from the Steelers because Le'Veon was caught smoking weed which is illegal or Ben taking advantage of little girls. Ben paid for that but was that not enough?

 

[nooneuno]

Okay, here's warning for everyone. Free passes are over. I let everyone vent and do their thing but that's over from here on out. No bating posters mostly Del. Don't try to provoke him. I completely disagree with his opinion but if you try to bait him that's against forum rules and you're gonna get 2 days off.

Starts now.

As long as the logic goes both ways. He was the one in here throwing the **** you's around from what I saw.

 

[Atlsteelers]

Big difference in the incidents. One was accused, not indicted, not charged, not convicted. No wrong doing was proven.

The other was charged, and convicted wrong doing was proven.

Equating the two is not reasonable.

My choices are my own not based on the whims of a sponsor. I only used that to describe a reason for my no longer following and supporting the team I do not wish to be associated with him and things he does.

I think it's pretty obvious our judicial system is screwed up but I do have a question then why did Ben get suspended and him except that suspension without a fight?

 

[blitzburghv5]

I find in quite interesting that some folks wanna get all "highly moral and resolute" over this signing..... but wish to look the other way when the fan jerseys they wear on Sundays are likely made by exploited child slavery or sweat operations overseas. The **** outta here !!!

 

[Bigappleyinzer]

As long as the logic goes both ways. He was the one in here throwing the **** you's around from what I saw.

Its amazing.

The guy basically was cursing the entire organization and board to hell last night.

But somehow WE are the ones who need to stop baiting?!

We are all adults here- the guy provoked himself. You can dislike the move all you want- but him going off the ledge was his own doing.

 

[CoolieMan]

Its amazing.

The guy basically was cursing the entire organization and board to hell last night.

But somehow WE are the ones who need to stop baiting?!

We are all adults here- the guy provoked himself. You can dislike the move all you want- but him going off the ledge was his own doing.

and Justin addressed it with him, on the board and via PM...a few folks here though were getting personal in their replies to him and we are putting a stop to that...in the same even handed fair way we always moderate this site.....

 

[skline00]

Cope, well written and articulate posts by you. Myron would be proud!

 

[SteelerSask2]

Its not that I don't respect people's right to disagree, change their team, protest in their own little ways. The thing is that this isn't a debate you can win. The Steelers deal with off field issues on an individual basis. There is more than ample evidence to support that from the many ways they have dealt with individuals in the past. It is pretty clear that it has nothing to do with how they personally feel about the transgression, but whether or not you can contribute to the team and whether you can be a good citizen, while you are a part of it.

 

[madinsomniac]

for the record, there is no way i take ben off the field for gimmick plays with Vick either... After last season i want Ben and that O to be running every play they can...

 

[SteelerAl]

for the record, there is no way i take ben off the field for gimmick plays with Vick either... After last season i want Ben and that O to be running every play they can...

Agreed, that would be insane. Ben produces gimmick plays of his own, by extending the play, ad-libbing etc.

 

[Max Power]

While I do not agree with or like the Steelers decision to sign Vick, it's really not my business. If that's what they want to do, then so be it.

Will it change my alliance or support of the team, no, can't say so. Nothing changes.

Let us hope we never get to find out if it was a good decision or not. That is my only wish.

 

[antdrewjosh]

Exactly I hope he never plays a down unless we are up big.

 

[Bigappleyinzer]

and Justin addressed it with him, on the board and via PM...a few folks here though were getting personal in their replies to him and we are putting a stop to that...in the same even handed fair way we always moderate this site.....

Fair enough.

 

[xjx]

The front office should be ashamed for note having a suitable qb ready. So they sign vick, a washed up broken down veteran. But they held on the Landry Jones all this time for nothing. Tombert has no eye for talent.

 

[Spike]

What? No Vick Steelers jersey for sale yet?

I can't wait all day

 

[steel shinin]

Wow, What a read. After 30+ pages of reading, I have enjoyed the roller coaster ride and perspectives from all sides. Being a native central Pennsylvanian and currently living in Philly, I too will weigh in with my bullet points from this fantastic thread.

Dogfighting analogies: Only one even comes close and that's **** fighting. Both are sports done on the fringe of society and illegal in this country. Both are done openly outside of this country. Both involve animals that can be pets or eaten (see Asia).

Dogfighting does not come close to hunting, trophy hunting, murder, child abuse, abortion, domestic abuse, selling baby organs (not to be confused with baby grand pianos), slaughterhouses, horse racing, boxing, being a gladiator, or being a carnivore or vegan. These are all separate arguments to introject personal agenda onto dog fighting.

Tomlin is not a member of Bad News Kennels.

Tomlin does not hire players.

A "rape chair" is also called a "breeding harness". The harness restricts the motion of the female so it can be inseminated, and not harm itself or the male during copulation. It is common practice by breeders to selectively breed bloodlines in just about every breed of dog if natural copulation doesn't occur. They are not unique to breeding fighting dogs. They are also used for breeding with horses.

Fighting dogs are not pets. They are bred for ferocity, and are kept in cages away from social interaction. Selective breeding is done to create the most aggressive dogs.

Underperforming dogs are killed. I read the Vick report stem to stern, and he most definitely tortured (with electricity), drowned, and killed dogs. I did not read anywhere where they stole domestic dogs to train on, killed domestic dogs, or had instances where his fighting dogs came into contact with the general populace. All dogs killed during training were the less aggressive dogs that were also being trained.

Mike Vick went to prison for transporting fighting dogs across state lines (federal offense), as well as admitting financial funding, and participating in the hanging and drowning of dogs in his plea.

Financial:

Vick was the posterboy of the NFL. He had a 100M contract from the Falcons and $50M in endorsement deals lined up. The Nike Michael Vick experience was a HUGE national promotion. When he went to jail, his sponsors dropped him and he chose to pay back $6.5M of his prorated signing bonus back to Atlanta. He filed chapter 7 bankruptcy for about 18M. If he chose chapter 11, he would have had most of his debt exonerated, but he chose to pay back his debt. He is now around $1M owed and his current net worth is $15M

Eagles (I worked with the Eagles when Vick was signed out of prison. Extra security was brought in and they were expecting demonstrations in the thousands to occur).

First game back less than 100 protesters. Game 2 about 20. This is the same city that boos their own players and santa.

Eagles award Vick with his second $100M contract

Charity:

Vick is a speaker for the HSUS. Even after his community service hours have been served, he continues to work with the Humane Society to educate others on the horrors of dog fighting and is helping to push litigation to end dog fighting by making it illegal to be a spectator. He personally funds all of is speaking engagements and is not paid for his time.

Conclusion:

There is a tremendous amount of hate coming out about signing Mike Vick. I'd expect that hate more so in 2009 in Philadelphia when I experienced it first hand from my Eagles Fanatic neighbors. My neighbor, who was a dog owner, also took the stance of not rooting for the eagles while Vick was there. In time, the team was stronger than his resolve and he did support his team, though didn't like having to root for Vick to do so. I don't expect the same reaction 8 years later.

I do enjoy the irony of supporting the Eagles team that took in a felon directly from prison: gave him millions of dollars, and then a 100M contract, yet shunning your life long team for taking on a backup (who happens to be a positional upgrade), at a significant cost savings (probably around $2M), after 8 years of remorse.

I don't think Vick is a good person at all, and I probably wouldn't want to know him personally. I do however, respect his talent and ability as a football player. As a businessman, I'm able to separate the personal from the business side. This gives me clarity to make difficult decisions, or interact with emotional clients/peers, without jeopardizing my company over emotional concerns. This is how we were able to grow and expand while surviving the worst recession of most of our lifetimes.

There is nothing wrong with taking a stance if you feel strongly about something. There is also nothing wrong with taking the stance of forgiveness. These aren't the reasons to blame each other for your reasonings. Just believe what you believe and accept sometimes, you'll be in the majority, and other times not.

Best post about this by far. You laid out a thorough and fair assessment of the situation and THEN you offered hour opinion which holds much more weight knowing that you took the time to see the issue from multiple sides. Your insight on dog fighting and subsequent heinous acts was also telling. We want everything to exist in a glass house yet we benefit consciously and subconsciously from heinous acts on a daily basis. Many of those people never served time or turned their lives around and we blindly support them. Vick did his time and by many accounts is a decent person at this point in his life. I have a brother on prison for murder. He got caught up when he was a teenager with the wrong people and was involved in something obviously horrible. I was lucky enough to not have had to grow up in the environment my brother did. So do I judge him? No. He's spent his time in prison trying to be a better person.