One Disappointed Fan

The way the Atlanta Falcons organization handled the Michael Vick situation disappointments me. For six years they pushed Vick’s celebrity and milked his athletic abilities for millions. They used his name and likeness to sell out the Georgia Dome and let’s be honest – for six years they allowed one man to be our football team as the team has proved over-and-over that without Vick, their not contenders.

Two things disappoint me the most about the Falcons organization. First, their pursuit of money already paid to Vick. Regardless of their arguments, even if Vick is a convicted felon, he earned all that guaranteed money because it’s evident more than ever – he was our offense as the team has struggled to move the chains and score since his departure. Moreover, Vick’s “wow” factor sold out the dome and made the Falcons nationally relevant. For those two reasons, he should be compensated and the team should leave the money alone. Second, I hate how the team downplayed the importance of Vick and have attempted to erase his presence on the squad. The official media outlets not only downplay Vick’s importance, some downright attack him, and by saying he was an incompetent player. I’m glad cornerback DeAngelo Hall and wide receiver Roddy White acknowledged Vick and wished him well last night with signs and t-shirts. Somebody from the Falcons needed to sympathize with Vick.

The Falcons aren’t the only ones to blame. The biggest disappointment of them all is Michael Vick. You had the opportunity (and hopefully you’ll get a second chance) to revolutionize the quarterback position and you decided to throw it away on illegal dog-fighting. If you really wanted to dogfight, why not use your millions and travel to a country were its legal, such as Argentina, Peru, and parts of Brazil. If you want to do something illegal, which you shouldn’t want to, then why not do something that didn’t involve hundreds of people who could identity you and would have the potential to land you in federal prison.

If you really wanted to finance something, why didn’t you finance something that could help the community and the fans that support you? Your fans in Atlanta and New Port News are dying because of drugs and violence. The chump change you spent on bankrolling the dog-fighting circle could’ve been used to help your community.

Why in the world did you surround yourself with losers? Even if you did grow up with them, there are some people you have to learn to let go. You’re a freaking millionaire, you own a Bentley, and you’re living a fantasy life. Why associate with people who don’t really care about you, with no dreams except mooching off your celebrity and money.

Lastly, but related to the previous point, you’re a millionaire, so why in the world are you playing as if you’re still in the ghetto trying to make ends meat. I don’t care what anybody says, nobody should strive to be or act as if they’re underprivileged when they have the means to be otherwise. I’m not saying turn your back on the poor, I’m saying uplift the poor and help them get where you are as opposed to acting as if you’re still one of them.

The actions of Michael Vick and the Falcons organization have severely scared my love for the Birds. That’s probably the biggest reason why I haven’t watched the team this season because it just hurts me to watch my favorite NFL team throw my favorite NFL player under the bus and it hurts to see my favorite NFL player throw my favorite team and all his fans under the bus. Hopefully time will heal me wounds and I’ll be able to get back to watching my Falcons.