Vick meeting with Steelers

[keslerclan]

So I guess Vick really is the son of Satan then. Also keep in mind, just like we eat cows, pigs, and chicken here people over seas eat dogs and cats like it's chicken all the same. just throwing that out there. I guess the middle east really is evil. Good thing us high horse good folks of America value certain animals different than the way they do.

And by the way, ever watch a YouTube video of where your hamburgers come from? You'll see some electrocution, hangings, decapitation, shootings all in there.

I have nothing against raising, killing and eating any form of animal. What makes it different for some is that he tortured for amusement. Vick might even be remorseful. I hope he is. I just think what we've put on display here is likely to happen inside of our locker room and I don't think it's worth the risk.

 

[Crimsonsteel]

For those who care as much as I do about the mistreatment of animals, here's the number to call when you witness such a case....





Oh....wait.....der....




Geez, cut the guy some slack. Been squeaky clean, remorseful, and tried to make amends since he did his time.

 

[Wingman]

I can't say I know for a fact but I do know prison can changed your whole outlook on life. I know Plaxico going to prison caused him to never carry a gun on him to clubs again. The only way anyone can ever know anything for a fact is actual facts.. And the fact is he hasn't harmed a dog in 8+ years, so maybe I do believe he's changed.[/QUOTE

Plax is so afraid of prison he failed to pay his taxes and is going back to prison, yeah great example there .

Going to prison means convicted of a felony, felony conviction means illegal for one to own firearms.

 

[Wingman]

Thumb, there are many cat owners that don't like dogs. MANY. If dogs get the protections that humans are afforded, then so too should cats. If cats get the protections that dogs get, so too should hamsters. And mice. And snakes. And gerbils.

When do babies get those protections? Or blacks? Or Latinos?

Babies, blacks, and latinos already have those protections. The unborn don't have them yet.

 

[slashsteel]

1 I have no problem with Del venting, he is taking a stand who can fault a man for doing that? although I chose to root for the Steelers, and not Vick. He chose to root for neither. I respect that, and every other poster should too. Doesn't have to be your path, but I respect that it is his.

2 I tire of hearing he did his time he did his time! Yeah he was FORCED to serve time, he was FORCED to repair his image or face not playing in the NFL again.

yeah color me not impressed

But like one poster said maybe some good came of this and across the nation there is less dog killings as a result.

My stance will still be to root for the Steelers. But I have no misgivings about them being the classier franchise anymore.

And again I will not root for Vick unless I am cheering on flames in a bonfire.

Riseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee into the fire!

hi

 

[Tibs]

My personal view on Michael Vick's transgressions from over eight years ago:

Matthew 6:14-15
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Colossians 3:13
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Ephesians 4:31-32
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Matthew 18: 21-22
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times? “Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”

Luke 6:37
Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

John 8:7
When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”

2 corinthians 2:5-8
If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you to some extent—not to put it too severely. The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient. Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him.

Welcome to Pittsburgh to our new back-up QB. By all indications Vick has turned his life around and is a solid character. He's done his penance for his crime. He has come out and fully supported efforts to ban all forms of dog-fighting. As a celebrity/professional athlete he's given this cause much wider exposure. In turn, hopefully the brutal, evil act of dog fighting can be banished forever. A much larger question mark is what abilities he still has as a QB at 35? Regardless, I'm willing to give him a chance. I applaud the Rooneys and the Steelers front office for having the ability to forgive and to give someone another chance. That's a stand-up way to be. Makes me proud to be a Steelers fan.

 

[Troglodyte]

Here's what I want to know - and I really think I know the answer already; but, if someone is brave enough to reply then let's hear it...For all of you who are upset with the signing of Mike Vick, because of his disgusting Southern lifestyle - WHAT ARE YOUR FEELINGS ON THE REBEL FLAG that continues to fly and is being purchased "because that's just how we were"???

Both of these topics can easily be tied together and if you despise ONE---then without a doubt---you should despise the other.

Discuss.

Not really the same.

I've seen pick-ups with full size confederate flags flying. I roll my eyes and shake my head.

If I saw someone torturing a dog to death I'd have a much stronger reaction.

I'm sure most people are the same way.

 

[Confluence]

**** you andrewjosh and the Tomlin and organization **** slobbering you do on a daily basis.

The fact you are defending this move tells me all I need to know about the kind of fan you are. Stand up for something if you life worth a ****.

This is it.

I used to think there was no line that would cross my "fandom" but this is it. Today is the LAST day I'm on this board as a Steelers fan.

After this, I'm all in troll until they kick me the **** out. Every ******* loss this team has, I'm showing up.

In the so-called god moderators want to kick me tonight, do it. And **** them for censoring any type of discourse to the ******* horseshit pro-Steeler bullshit that is on here day-in, day-out. This is entirely a reflection of the disgrace this organization has become under the watch of Art Rooney II and Mike Tomlin. I have no doubt we have gone over a threshold that we will never come back from. The Tomlin extension. The Colbert extention. The signing of Vick.

This is NOT an organization I can be proud to stand behind.

So **** you. **** your season. You stand for nothing.

First negative karma from me. You are acting like a petulant child. Grow the **** up.

 

[Troglodyte]

My personal view on Michael Vick's transgressions from over eight years ago:

Matthew 6:14-15
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Colossians 3:13
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Ephesians 4:31-32
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Matthew 18: 21-22
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times? “Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”

Luke 6:37
Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

John 8:7
When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”

2 corinthians 2:5-8
If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you to some extent—not to put it too severely. The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient. Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him.

So somehow Jerry Sandusky sees the light of day and is a free man. It's OK with you to sign him as a coach or consultant?

There is no point of no return? Nothing is so despicable?

I think the number of dogs Vick killed might have exceeded the seventy-seven mentioned above.

 

[Chiba]

Dri Archer runs circles around this thread.

I don't know. This one has got some legs. I think the Dri Archer thread came up short.

 

[Troglodyte]

You'll be hard pressed to find a perfectly squeaky clean team these days. I'm sure if it was Ray Rice and his situation then more people would be opposed to that.

I'd be opposed to that as well, but at least what Rice did wasn't premeditated and repetitive or done for amusement.

It can be argued that Rice made a mistake.

Vick's acts were NOT a mistake.

 

[jitter77]

The problem is alot of Nfl players are straight up thugs. Without football a lot of players would be in jail or on the streets in gangs. They skirt through school on Athletics and gain no common sense or morals. Then they get big bucks and it just amplifies the problem.
With domestic abuse alot of times the women choose to stay. As in the case of ray rice i find it hard to believe that was a one time incident. If it was then it was a mistake and both parties worked it out. If rice was habitually abusive then its hard for me to feel sorry for his wife or people in similar situations.
As for what vick did the dogs did not have a choice. I highly doubt he is reformed. He is taking the steps outlined by courts, the nfl, and his PR people, but that does not mean he is reformed. He has also had a couple other incidents since he has been out, and i am not sure how those are not a parole violation, but whatever.
I can pretty much guarantee some players on the steelers hate vick and feel the same as the people on this board. I am not sure why management would bring that into the locker room. I know not all players like each other and get along, but there is usually some respect there. I would think more than a few players would not respect Vick... On top of all that he is not that good of a Qb. I think we could have done much better if we had waited a bit.

 

[insaniti]

And I swear to whatever GOD exists (and I'm not exactly the most religious person in the world or even know if I believe in god 100%) and I swear on my children that I WILL NOT WATCH ONE STEELERS GAME THIS YEAR.

I am going to watch the Eagles. I live in the Philly area. I have family that are Eagles fans. I can root vicariously through them. I kind of like Chip Kelly. Think he's doing a lot right and a lot new that 10 years from now we'll look back on and think "why didn't every team do this". Especially with health and well-being and injury prevention.

You guys can all hate me. I think it's terrible you're standing up and supporting this. I know I'm getting booted from here. I know I'm drinking tonight. It is what it is. No skin off my back. I know my football. I know X's and O's and salary cap better than 95% of the people here but that's just my opinion.

I'll help Eagles fans learn their salary cap and how to watch some X's and O's they haven't seen before. I'll join some Eagles message board that allows some swearing and has a good time with it and isn't all uptight.

The game is still about roster building and watching a coach mold that roster into being able to win games against teams that have the same resources available to them. It's the only professional league that does that, no matter how much Goodell does or how much the owners **** it up. As long as the rules are the same for everyone, I'm going to watch. Just not the Steelers as long as Vick is on the roster.

I always chuckled at your posts, especially the "I'm better than Colbert" type ones, but this is just hilarious.

I'll tell you something Del, you are getting onto real shaky ground making those types of overtones about Tomlin. I have been very critical of him as a coach and many of his calls and will continue to be in the future as I see it. That said, Tomlin is an extremely smart guy, well spoken seems like high character. The State of Play piece on his wife, shows them to be extremely articulate people and caring parents. Portraying him as some type of gangster thug, is ridiculous and beneath your own dignity.

He's always had a pure hatred and blatant disrespect for Tomlin, this is nothing new as far as his opinion of Tomlin...he just went all 6 year old not getting his way tantrum style on this.

I don't care for Vick, I don't care for what he did, but as it's been pointed out several times...he was punished, and whether through his own volition or not, he has made moves to repair his image, to be a better person, etc. 8 years is a long time to hold onto such hatred. Be the bigger man, forgive and move on. Doesn't mean you have to like the guy, doesn't mean you have to cheer for him, but to boycott your favorite team because of ONE individual is pretty childish. You are telling every other player on the team that they are the same as Mike Vick, that no matter what they have done in the past, they are the same. Their hard work, their charity, their character is now tarnished because we signed Mike Vick to a one year deal... pathetic...

 

[Wingman]

I'll probably never stop rooting for the Steelers, and will definitely never be a fan of another team. But I am very disappointed in the Steelers organization for this move. I hope Vick never sees the field and is out of here in short order.

For God's sake, we cut a Super Bowl MVP for smoking pot and most people were happy about it.

Or one could hope he sees the field for the entire season and it finishes up like his last.

 

[Wingman]

I always chuckled at your posts, especially the "I'm better than Colbert" type ones, but this is just hilarious.



He's always had a pure hatred and blatant disrespect for Tomlin, this is nothing new as far as his opinion of Tomlin...he just went all 6 year old not getting his way tantrum style on this.

I don't care for Vick, I don't care for what he did, but as it's been pointed out several times...he was punished, and whether through his own volition or not, he has made moves to repair his image, to be a better person, etc. 8 years is a long time to hold onto such hatred. Be the bigger man, forgive and move on. Doesn't mean you have to like the guy, doesn't mean you have to cheer for him, but to boycott your favorite team because of ONE individual is pretty childish. You are telling every other player on the team that they are the same as Mike Vick, that no matter what they have done in the past, they are the same. Their hard work, their charity, their character is now tarnished because we signed Mike Vick to a one year deal... pathetic...

Disagree with one point. I am not telling them I think they are the same or that what they do matters not. I am telling them that while they are associating with him I will not associate with the team as a fan, nothing more.

 

[Slash#10]

Vick's story of redemption puts me in mind of the movie "American History X" . I would think Vick didn't just master mind an idea of running a dog ring out of the blue sky. I believe he grow up in a culture where dog fighting was the norm activity. Just like in the movie, you don't just wake up one morning and say I'm full of hate that I'm going to murder minorities just to spread white supremacy. Anyways, the main character goes into prison for his crime, goes through the process of being reformed, and comes out a completely changed man. He even works to get his younger brother out of the lifestyle. As the viewer you see this and your almost cheering the guy, fully aware of his terrible past. Now back to real life, Vick still made terrible choices that wound up with him in prison and damaging his brand and image. But, he has done nothing reportedly wrong in the public since leaving prison years ago! I really don't understand why and how folks can really place the value of animals exceedingly able the value of a human life!!! It's asinine!

I think it's the hypocrites that really are the special ones in this case. The one who rocks Big Ben and Harrison jerseys, while eating chicken wings, ribs, and burgers, and use products that were tested on animals. But can some how still vomit hate hate hate on Mike Vick even though he paid his debt to society.

Sheesh some folks need to really get off their high horse... I'm not saying you have to love the man or even have to agree with the possible/eventual signing of Vick... But, the "hate attacks" are so ignorant for somebody who not only has paid their debt for their crimes and continues to walk a path of the opposite mindset. Just because Big Ben was able to settle his issues doesn't erase his record. Rooney's were a pen stroke away from releasing him. But, they gave him an opportunity for redemption. Plus Vick been out of jail for like 6 or 7 years during things the right way. Again, I'm not saying you can't disagree, but people going off the deep-end.

http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/dogfighting/qa/vick_faq.html
"Do you think Michael Vick got a slap on the wrist for his crimes?

If someone commits a crime against animals, here's how events usually unfold:

The person committing the animal crime is caught and successfully prosecuted and pleads guilty to a federal felony.
As the case plays out in the public domain, there is a wave of social disapproval and a new awareness of the gravity of the problem.
There is a new attitude and resolve in dealing with this crime across the nation. For its part, The HSUS seeks to drive reforms in law enforcement, public policy, social work, and other relevant sectors.
Finally, after the perpetrator is released from prison, he is typically assigned to the equivalent of community service helping to address the problem.

And that's how the Vick story progressed. He served his time in prison, he admitted his wrongdoing, and his regret, and he determined to make amends. His work in reaching out to important audiences now buttresses that of the leading anti-dogfighting group in the nation in its broad efforts to attack the problem.
Is any money changing hands?

No. The HSUS has not received any contributions from Vick, the NFL, the Philadelphia Eagles, or anyone else in exchange for appearances and his participation in our community-based anti-dogfighting program. Nor is The HSUS paying Vick or anyone else for his participation. Vick pays his own expenses when he speaks at anti-dogfighting forums."

 

[Tibs]

I'd be opposed to that as well, but at least what Rice did wasn't premeditated and repetitive or done for amusement. ...Vick's acts were NOT a mistake.

His acts were not a mistake, and yes, they were premeditated, repetitive and done for amusement. They were also part of a subculture that he came up in, something that's been pretty prevelant for decades - unfortunately - in the South. It's not like Vick woke up one day and decided to start training, fighting, torturing dogs. He participated in it, it's evil, treacherous and plain wrong. He has accepted his punishment, understood the wrong in his ways, apologized, served his time and most importantly has since stood up strongly against all forms of dog fighting. To dismiss the wider historical, cultural framework of dog fighting - and pinpoint Michael Vick for his crimes - is disingenuous.

In 1817, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier was brought to America and dog fighting became part of American culture. Yet, though historical accounts of dog fighting in America can be dated back to the 1750s, it was not until the end of the Civil War (1861-1865) that widespread interest and participation in the blood sport began in the United States. For instance, in 1881, the Mississippi and Ohio railroads advertised special fares to a dog fight in Louisville; public forums such as Kit Burns' Tavern, "The Sportman's Hall," in Manhattan regularly hosted matches. Many of these dogs thrown into the "professional pits" that flourished during the 1860s came from England and Ireland—where citizens had turned to dogs when bear baiting and bull-baiting became illegal in their countries.

In twentieth century America, despite the expansion of laws to outlaw dog fighting, dog fighting continued to flourish underground. Aiding in the expansion of dog fighting were the police and firemen, who saw dog fighting as a form of entertainment amongst their ranks. In fact, the Police Gazzette served as a "go to" source for information about where one could attend a fight. When Henry Bergh, who started the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), witnessed police involvement in these fights, he was motivated to seek and receive authority for the ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement Agents to have arresting power in New York. Additionally, Bergh's 1867 revision to New York's animal cruelty law made all forms of animal fighting illegal. However, According to the ASPCA website, the Humane Law Enforcement department of ASPCA has been disbanded and NYPD has taken over its duty. As laws were passed to outlaw the activity, high profile organizations, such as the United Kennel Club, who once endorsed the sport by formulating rules and sanctioning referees, withdrew their endorsement.

CNN estimated that in the United States more than 100,000 people are engaged in dog fighting on a non-professional basis and roughly 40,000 individuals are involved as professionals in the sport of dog fighting as a commercial activity. Top fights are said to have purses of $100,000 (USD) or more.

 

[Buster]

The problem is, you are trying to apply real world morals in professional sports. Professional athletes live in a different world whether we like it or not.

 

[antdrewjosh]

My family is all from central PA. Some live in the Philly area.

I grew up being the black sheep in the family rooting for the Pittsburgh teams because I lived there in the 1970's when we were kicking their *** in everything. It was a great time that stuck with me forever.

It will not kill me in the least to maybe root for Chip Kelly and the Eagles this year to give them a Super Bowl rather than the obvious ego driven Art Rooney II (who will burn in hell) that has no balls like his dad or grandfather before him. It would actually be fun to watch them enjoy a successful season. I think the Eagles have a great chance of getting to the final-4 this season if everything falls their way.

And I will say this (and they will tell you), I always accepted the Eagles and my family's fandom of them up until one point: when they signed Michael Vick. Then I hated them. And I openly rooted against them. When they got rid of Michael Vick, I'm back on the accepting bandwagon.

Unfortunately that stink just came to my favorite team.

But the same owner signed Vick. How could you condemn one owner for doing the same thing as the other lol???

 

[Ron Burgundy]

I have nothing against raising, killing and eating any form of animal. What makes it different for some is that he tortured for amusement. Vick might even be remorseful. I hope he is. I just think what we've put on display here is likely to happen inside of our locker room and I don't think it's worth the risk.

Local TV interviewed the CB we picked up from Philly, he said that Vick was a good dude and good for the locker room.
Maybe he can train Coach Porter's pit bulls not to attack his neighbor's miniature horses again.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

My personal view on Michael Vick's transgressions from over eight years ago:

Matthew 6:14-15
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Colossians 3:13
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Ephesians 4:31-32
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Matthew 18: 21-22
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times? “Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”

Luke 6:37
Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

John 8:7
When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”

2 corinthians 2:5-8
If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you to some extent—not to put it too severely. The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient. Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him.

Welcome to Pittsburgh to our new back-up QB. By all indications Vick has turned his life around and is a solid character. He's done his penance for his crime. He has come out and fully supported efforts to ban all forms of dog-fighting. As a celebrity/professional athlete he's given this cause much wider exposure. In turn, hopefully the brutal, evil act of dog fighting can be banished forever. A much larger question mark is what abilities he still has as a QB at 35? Regardless, I'm willing to give him a chance. I applaud the Rooneys and the Steelers front office for having the ability to forgive and to give someone another chance. That's a stand-up way to be. Makes me proud to be a Steelers fan.

****, I agree with Tibs.

 

[Steelr4evr]

Ron Mexico now a Steeler ..ugh.

 

[Tibs]

You know deljzc, I had a lot of respect for you, moreso on the Politics side than for your views on the Steelers, but nonetheless considered you a smart & decent poster. I'm sad to see you go. But, I have to say you have a really bizarre, over-the-top approach to rooting for a pro football team. You act like the team owes you something, like you're doing the Steelers - and all the rest of us - some huge favor by rooting for the team. Quite frankly, nobody gives a **** which sports team you root for. Your posts in this thread have been nothing short of insane. It hurt your feelings the team signed Vick as a back-up QB. Understood. So you proceed to bad-mouth the entire organization and us fans. Again, like we all collectively promised you that rooting for the Steelers is always going to be to your liking. Or that the team will only employ coaches and players that you approve of. I hope in time you can take a deep breath and realize, maybe, perhaps, this thing isn't as life-altering as you're making it out to be. Maybe Vick twists an ankle and never gets on the field. Maybe he comes in for Ben at a critical point of the season and helps us win a game. Whatever the case, neither the team - nor us fans - owe you anything. It's a sport, it's a hobby. If you can't root for the Steelers and enjoy yourself while doing so, by all means find a new hobby. Life is too short.

 

[ThePittsburghKid]

Deljzc:

You are such a hypocrite. You won't forgive Vick who has paid his penance, yet you will forgive and root for the team (Philadelphia) that hired him back out of prison.
Nice knowing you...............

 

[Tim Steelersfan]

Babies, blacks, and latinos already have those protections. The unborn don't have them yet.

Seen the 7th Planned Parenthood video?

You sir, are wrong. The unborn are protected. It depends on what stage of "unborn" you refer to. Those babies that are being harvested late term...well that's illegal. They've been caught committing murder. Period, plain and simple.

Been to Chicago over a weekend when the bullets are flying?

They may have some invisible "protections" you speak of. They do nothing to "protect."

You get my point, I'm sure.

There are more commercials and public campaigns about being humane to animals (we watched one this weekend) than there are on reducing inner city violence, as an example.