This from ProFootballTalk.com:
"Roddy White, Alge Crumpler, DeAngelo Hall, and Chris Houston were all fined $10,000.
Joe Horn also was fined $7,500 for pulling up White's jersey to reveal his "Free Mike Vick" T-shirt."
The league levied the fines under the auspices of the shirts being a violation of the league's uniform policy. Despite the fact that White's t-shirt was UNDER his uniform jersey. And the league doubled the usual fine for uniform violations. Horn was fined and he apparently wasn't even wearing one of the t-shirts.
Normally, we'd support team mates showing some support for an embattled friend. A fellow gladiator. A mistreated and seemingly purposely misunderstood and misrepresented Negro. Normally.
However, we believe that each of these players should sit out a game. Forfeit a game check.
All of these players have foolishly, though altruistically, played into the hands of the league rulers and the attempt to further demonize Vick.
Certainly, the players watched not long ago as Redskin players wore tribute t-shirts under their game jerseys for Sean Taylor. And, just as certainly, the Falcon players assumed that since the Redskins were not in violation of the uniform policy (they weren't fined) for wearing the t-shirts under the game jerseys; there would be no issue if they did it as well.
The foolishness in all this was that the Falcon players thought for a moment that the NFL Czar of Discipline and Behavior might not expound his traditional arbitrary application of policy and rule. And for somehow forgetting who they were memorializing, the Falcon players should march into their GM's office and let him know that they will not be playing in next week's game as a self imposed penance for their foolishness in believing that the Czar would allow them to memorialize the 'dead' player on their team.
What was supposed to be an act to show Vick that he was not forgotten. That he was still in the hearts of his team mates. That, despite the fact that he was locked up in a money making prison, his spirit and soul were still free. That act of brotherly solidarity and compassion for Vick's well being is now turned into a negative by the NFL's PR machinery.
Instead of it being the unifying and rehabilitative message that it was meant to be, the NFL turned it into some sort of forbidden phantom violation. What was meant to generate positive media representation that might get back to the incarcerated Vick was run through the NFL ringers.
And what got back to Vick (from the NFL) is clear:
You are dead to us.
'Free Mike Vick'?
No.
Mike Vick has been in chains from the first day he put on shoulder pads.
And this well intentioned, though poorly thought out maneuvre by the Falcon players only further tightened the shackles around their own wrists.
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41 comments:
"Mike Vick has been in chains from the first day he put on shoulder pads."
Arthur Blank, if you are listening, pleeeeaaassseee put me in those chains you put Michael Vick in! I'll even sing negro spirituals for ya!
" I'll even sing negro spirituals for ya!"
negro spiritual is an oxymoron
So is 'illiterate commentary', but you haven't let that stop you sparky!
"negro spiritual is an oxymoron"
dave the wave...keepin' it real.
i agree, the players were kind of dumb for making the shirts. to think that wearing them in support of a man that ADMITTED he committed the crimes would be viewed on positively by the league is just silly
the symbolism behind the shirts is lost on most of you. Mike Vick is a black man. The shirts were a plea to free black men.
If all black men were freed, then who would populate the prisons? Are you suggesting that prison guards, parole officers, and commissary workers should all lose their jobs? Not much of a holiday spirit on your behalf, Mr. Hex.
"The shirts were a plea to free black men."
I am a black man, an we are as free as we care to be. Free to become educated build families and start careers, or free to live our lives in accordance with this idiotic excuse for music we listen to, 'keep it real' and become incarcerated. With all possible respect Mr. Hex, I get quite tired of black men whining about how the system is out to get us. There is at times truth involved in it, but just because someone wants to F- you does not mean you heat up a bottle of baby oil for them and bend over and grab your ankles.
The leagues uniform policy is way too strict, but to say this is an attempt to "demonize" Vick is just wrong. When Pat Tillman died Jake Plummer wore a sticker on his helmet with the number 40 on it(Tillman's number). The NFL told him that they'd fine him $10,000 for the first game, and double that fine for each time he wore the sticker.
In another case, Peyton Manning wanted to wear high black top shoes to honor Johnny Unitas. He asked the league for permission to do this, only to be told he'd be fined $25,000 if he did wear the shoes.
Resurrect Mike Vick.
"Free to become educated build families and start careers, or free to live our lives in accordance with this idiotic excuse for music we listen to, 'keep it real' and become incarcerated."
Jason Whitlock, is that YOU??!! What are you doing trolling NOIS? (with your black kkk and what not.)
"Jason Whitlock, is that YOU??!!"
Flintlock baby, FLINT-lock.
PS; it always funny to be called a sellout by a man who holds, as his own paragon of beauty, the two whitest girls in America in his avatar!
(Pooowwwww!!!!)
Off topic, but I have really been waiting for your tribute to Sean Taylor's tragic death. I hope this is coming soon, as it would be a crime not address it.
Brother Jerome
"PS; it always funny to be called a sellout by a man who holds, as his own paragon of beauty, the two whitest girls in America in his avatar!"
and what i find funny is someone with the inability to acknowledge the shortcomings of an organization to explicitly define rules and uniformly mete out punishment for similar infractions, while having a suspicious aptness for moving rather specific commentaries on such shortcomings towards one of crass racial conceptions and equally suspicious homosexual innuendo, then go on to display their obtuseness with slap-stick comments on miscegenation, which stem from their own inability to attract females of an another race, or, more probably, females in general.
"...the shortcomings of an organization to explicitly define rules and uniformly mete out punishment for similar infractions ..."
The NFL fined Jake Plummer 10 grand for his tribute (uniform violation) to fallen (former) teammate Pat Tillman. Perhaps you've heard of him. They informed him the fine would double for subsequent violations.
Further, the NFL informed Peyton Manning that he would be fined 10 grand if he went forward with a planned tribute to Johnny Unitas in which he would wear black high-top football cleats. Not being your run-of-the-mill dumbass, Manning elected not to do so.
windrider,
i wasn't aware one run-of-the-mill dumbass could detect another run-of-the-mill dumbass.... unless you're planning on revealing to us how having two different outcomes for the same infraction is indeed a uniform application of law...
Jake Plummer went through with his 'tribute;' Manning did not.
where do these shit for brains people come from...
"Jake Plummer went through with his 'tribute;' Manning did not."
So what does Manning have to do with this?
It would appear that the league has uniformly meted out punishment for similar infractions (e.g., uniform infractions) to the tune of 10 grand per infraction.
"It would appear that the league has uniformly meted out punishment for similar infractions (e.g., uniform infractions) to the tune of 10 grand per infraction."
Oh, ok. Because for a second there i thought the Redskins' players weren't fined for their uniform infraction.
Touche.
"and what i find funny is someone with the inability to acknowledge the shortcomings of an organization to explicitly define rules and uniformly mete out punishment for similar infractions,"
Now hooooold your horses there, Hop-along!
Did Mr. Blank need to write in the Atlanta Falcons employee handbook that 'players are not allowed to gamble on illegal activities such as watching hell-bred dogs tear each other to shreds"?
"while having a suspicious aptness for moving rather specific commentaries on such shortcomings towards one of crass racial conceptions "
Hey, you've got me there Sport, crass is what I do best!
"and equally suspicious homosexual innuendo,"
Moi? I did kind of like the baby oil thing though it really paints a graphic picture of a pathetic situation.
"then go on to display their obtuseness with slap-stick comments on miscegenation,"
Unfortunately my good man;...no. My comments on your choice of avatar were a simple response to your childish insinuation that I am some sort of a sellout because I refuse to toe the party line. I respect and generally like Whitlock but that's not the point. You attempted to label me as a sellout and my point was that there are much better judges to who's an Uncle Tom out than a (I presume) black man who choses two wyte girls to place in his avatar. My understanding about avatars is that they are designed to say something about the poster, his likes and dislikes, and what he really is about deep down inside.
" which stem from their own inability to attract females of an another race, or, more probably, females in general."
And where exactly did you get your PHD in Psychology?
Bottom line: Don't flame me son! I wear asbestos clothing and you are armed with a Bic lighter!
That girl is white? I couldn't tell because the only thing important to notice about her is those wonderful, monstrous milk-makers. Word.
are you seriously trying to somehow compare professional sports with slavery? if so, then you are spitting in the face of every single one of your enslaved ancestors, you piece of shit. theres this tiny difference that maybe you were unaware of, but they were forced into slavery. every professional athlete has CHOSEN that path, a path that makes them far wealthier than any average person. if they are so angry that the league that makes them wealthy has rules then maybe they should quit and work hard to get a real job like the rest of us. please do not try to tell me that athletics is the only way a black man can fairly get a job or some bullshit like that because i know many successful black professionals.
"Off topic, but I have really been waiting for your tribute to Sean Taylor's tragic death."
Sir, in all honesty, we still haven't made sense of it....
"are you seriously trying to somehow compare professional sports with slavery? if so, then you are spitting in the face of every single one of your enslaved ancestors, you piece of shit."
Sir, only a fool would take what we said as comparing pro sports to slavery.
There is no comparison.
Slavery never ended.
the whole thing is a roger goodell power trip.
keep fighting, falcons...don't let the man hold you down
Man is born free, but everywhere he is in chains.
-Jean Jacques Rousseau
Notice he didn't write BLACK man.
"
Notice he didn't write BLACK man."
Sir, excellent point.
And, certainly, a white French guy in a powdered wig is the authority on the Negro experience in America.
Wake us up if you ever choose to throw a relevent point into the mix....
Knowledge, my friend, is universal. Just because it doesn't rhyme does not mean it isn't relevant.
'Knowledge, my friend, is universal.'
Sir, agreed.
However, perspective is not.
Punctuation. The use of paragraphs to separate topics or divisions of thought.
These grammar skills are righteous indeed people. Let us come together and learn to love them.
"The NFL fined Jake Plummer 10 grand for his tribute (uniform violation) to fallen (former) teammate Pat Tillman. Perhaps you've heard of him. They informed him the fine would double for subsequent violations.
Further, the NFL informed Peyton Manning that he would be fined 10 grand if he went forward with a planned tribute to Johnny Unitas in which he would wear black high-top football cleats. Not being your run-of-the-mill dumbass, Manning elected not to do so."
The difference here is that Roddy White and the Skins players both wore a shirt underneath their pads that isn't technically part of the uniform. You must have seen some long - sleeved shirts on some players for colder games, I don't think that's really part of a uniform. What they choose to wear under their pads is their decision.
Redskins players were not fined for memorializing Sean Taylor. As much as the media wanted to indict him for being shot and killed in his own home, the NFL could not officially do the same to a fallen player. But it was an easier decision when Michael Vick's name came up in a similar scenario. The fact that they doubled the fine for a uniform violation (of which I have yet to see evidence of, the words were on a shirt underneath his uniform) is a strong message to the rest of the league. Do not sympathize with Michael Vick, or you will suffer the consequences.
"Do not sympathize with Michael Vick, or you will suffer the consequences"
Sir, certainly true.
However, the league misunderstood the message, 'Free Mike Vick'.
It was no demand to free him.
Free was not used as a verb.
It was used as an adjective to describe the unconquerable (sp?) spirit of the Free Mike Vick.
Who, despite being kept behind bars and concrete, is free of mind and free of conscience.
Free Mike Vick isn't a demand.
It is a statement of truth.
"Free Mike Vick isn't a demand.
It is a statement of truth.'
you are f'ing deranged.
"Free was not used as a verb.
It was used as an adjective to describe the unconquerable (sp?) spirit of the Free Mike Vick.
Who, despite being kept behind bars and concrete, is free of mind and free of conscience."
Somebody's putting a little too much MSG in your bean pies, bruh.
"Somebody's putting a little too much MSG in your bean pies, bruh."
Sir, if by MSG you mean reality...then yes.
The bean pies are bursting with MSG.
First, if Peyton Manning was scared to be fined 10K for something he believed in, then he is a spineless coward. He can surely afford it, but some people are scared to go up against the system and tarnish their reputations. Others, have more dignity and stand their ground no matter what the consequences are. If you don't stand for something - you will fall for anything. Second, I was at the Falcon game when D Hall came out of the tunnel with the Vick t-shirt on. As a fan of the Falcons and Vick, I was truly inspired. White folks hung, lynched, killed, maimed and burned blacks, and several other people throughout American history. From 1882 - 1968, 4,743 people died of lynching. 3446 were black. Do your research and look at the pictures where white men, women and their children laughed and partied while black men hung and burned. Sure, what Mike Vick did was wrong, and I don't condone it. But killing dogs is no where near as serious as the 4,743 lynchings in America. Finally, did Shawn Merriman of the San Diego Chargers receive a fine for wearing a fireman's helmet? Surely, it was not part of the uniform. Bottom line, Godell has too much damn power and he can't stand to see all them black boys with all that damn money.
First, if Peyton Manning was scared to be fined 10K for something he believed in, then he is a spineless coward. He can surely afford it, but some people are scared to go up against the system and tarnish their reputations. Others, have more dignity and stand their ground no matter what the consequences are. If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything. Some people understand that concept. Second, I was at the Falcon game when D Hall came out of the tunnel wearing the Vick t-shirt. As a fan of the Falcons and Vick, I was truly inspired by the gesture. White folks hung, lynched, killed, maimed and burned blacks, and several other people throughout American history. From 1882 - 1968, 4,743 people died of lynching. 3446 were black. Do your research and look at the pictures on the web where white men, women and their children laughed and partied while black men hung and burned. Sure, what Mike Vick did was wrong, and I don't condone it. But killing dogs is no where near as serious as the 4,743 lynchings in America. Where was PETA and all of the activist then? Finally,did Shawn Merriman of the San Diego Chargers receive a fine for wearing a fireman's helmet? While it was an honorable and noble gesture, surely, it was not part of the uniform. Bottom line, Godell has too much damn power and he can't stand to see all them black boys with all that damn money.
First, if Peyton Manning was scared to be fined 10K for something he believed in, then he is a spineless coward. He can surely afford it, but some people are scared to go up against the system and tarnish their reputations. Others, have more dignity and stand their ground no matter what the consequences are. I was at the Falcon game when D Hall came out of the tunnel. As a fan of the Falcons and Vick, I was truly inspired. White folks hung, lynched, killed, maimed, burned blacks, and several other people throughout American history. From 1882 - 1968, 4,743 people died of lynching. 3446 were black. Do your research and look at the pictures where white men, women and their children laughed and partied while black men hung and burned. Sure, what Mike Vick did was wrong, and I don't condone it. But killing dogs is no where near as serious as the 4,743 lynchings in America. Second, did Shawn Merriman of the San Diego Chargers receive a fine for wearing a fireman's helmet? Surely, it was not part of the uniform. Bottom line, Godel has too much damn power and he can't stand to see all them black boys with all that damn money.
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