NBC’s Peter King reports that Barack Obama called Philadelphia
Jeffrey Lurie
Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie earlier this week to congratulate him for giving Vick a second chance after his release from prison. According to King, the president said that released prisoners rarely receive a level playing field and that Vick’s story could begin to change that.”
If President Obama wanted to praise the Eagles for giving Vick a second chance, the phone call would have been more appropriate when they originally signed him, not many months later amid great success. It begs the question whether the phone call would have ever come if Vick weren’t balling and failed miserably.
It would seem the phone call was inextricably linked to Vick’s success not the moral conscience of the Philadelphia Eagles organization.
Moreover, the call wrongly attributes altruistic motives to the Philadelphia Eagles, suggesting the organization wanted to affect the perception of convicted felons more than they wanted to pad their bottom line or win a Super Bowl.
Mo’Kelly’s not buying that or any supposed beachfront property in Nebraska either.
Just FYI, there are dozens of convicted felons in the NFL and none is on any roster as a social rehabilitation experiment or statement on the viability of ex-cons as productive citizens.
Each and every one, (Vick included) is on an NFL roster because he gives his team the best chance to succeed…period.
Michael Vick on an NFL roster was never a case of charity. He may be a lightning rod for controversy amongst PETA members and dog-lovers worldwide, but he’s still a world-class athlete and only originally asked to back up former starters Donovan McNabb and Kevin Kolb. (Translation: minimal investment by the Eagles which later generated tremendous returns.)
"Unleash the Tiger in your pants! Got Wood?"
Other questions it begs…
Does the Trojan corporation get a phone call from President Obama if it gives Tiger Woods “a second chance” with an exclusive multimillion-dollar condom endorsement deal? Would Trojan then be about the business of changing the perception of/leveling the playing field for philandering professional athletes?
Mo’Kelly is just spitballing here…
Does President Obama call (x) team if/when former NFL receiver Rae Carruth gets out of jail for conspiring to kill his girlfriend and unborn child and is hired as a stadium peanut vendor in 2018 (his expected release date)?
Did the NBA’s Washington Wizards earn a smiley face magnet for the staff refrigerator in allowing Gilbert Arenas back into the locker room after bringing his cache of guns to work? Because we all know that the Washington Wizards (formerly the Washington Bullets) are all about “leveling the playing field” for idiots and the guns they bring to the workplace.
Professional sports is a meritocracy, not a charitable organization about the business of garnering presidential voicemails. If Michael Vick were to unfortunately suffer a career-ending injury in his next game; he would be cut, his career disappear and his non-guaranteed contract money right along with it.
President Obama’s phone call (and subsequent spotlight) would have been better served highlighting individuals and entities truly about the business of helping everyday African-American men reintegrate themselves into society after prison; not offering more inappropriate idolatry of athletes.
Michael Vick is an exceptionally talented football player who presently has value to the Philadelphia Eagles; no more, no less. The Philadelphia Eagles franchise is about the business of winning football games and maximizing revenue. The franchise took Vick on a flyer and it panned out.
Bully for them.
Let’s not rewrite history and attribute altruistic motives where they do not belong or exist.
Praise Michael Vick for his football prowess. Applaud the Philadelphia Eagles for the shrewd construction of its present team. But never should any president be heaping praises of morality on an organization for simply attempting to sell more tickets, win more games and ultimately make more money. Eventually, President Obama will concern himself with the issues most important to African-Americans, as in the multitude. It just won’t be today as this clearly is not one of them.
No, you can be sure Mo’Kelly won’t be receiving a cabinet-level appointment or the
"Mr. Mo'Kelly…you've earned yourself an IRS audit!"
Presidential Medal of Freedom from this administration; but that’s ok. It’s about telling the truth.
The truth is that this was a poor choice by our president, yet one consistent with his support of Wall Street and big business.
Congratulating the Philadelphia Eagles for doing “the capitalism thing” under the pretense of it being “the right thing” is wrong and the wrong message to send young African-American males.
6 responses to “Mr. President, You’re Wrong on Michael Vick”
Lindy
Part 2–The prez calling now is precisely why he should have called. There is a perception that if you give someone who's been locked up a second chance, he'll just go back and do the same thing. It's not the "giving of the second chance" so much as it's the result of that second chance…that not ALL brothers go back to the same old thing. That some brothers can really make a difference. Vick's happens to be in football, but that's what he's always known. What about the brother on Wall Street? Maybe he's got some business ideas that can be redemptive. What about the brother from the streets? Maybe he can talk to youth in a way that builds up a community instead of breaks it down.
Just my take on it.
Lindy
Don't know what happened to my first part of the comment, it says it was deleted by administrator?
D-Rob
What was the first part? Mr. MoKelly would never stifle your freedom of speech as much as he values it.
The auto comment moderator has been deleting comments for reasons I’m not sure. The only comments which should ever be deleted are vulgar in nature, spam or from banned posters. To that end, I’ve taken off “intense debate” until I can figure out why it wasn’t precluding certain comments from posting.
@D-Rob…there is no “Freedom of Speech” here. Freedom of Speech is the amendment guaranteeing that Congress shall make no law abridging…yada, yada, yada. Meaning, the government shall not create any law in which you can be prosecuted for expressing your views within safe boundaries and guidelines. The 1st amendment does not apply to private institutions or entities.
People are NOT welcome to say anything and everything here.
As I understand it, the President’s call was to congratulate Jeffrey Lurie and the Eagles organization on their upgrading the stadium to a more Eco-friendly or “green” design. The comments about Michael Vick were not the original purpose of his call but this is America, he can call about whatever he wants. Whatever happened to forgiving people for their mistakes. Michael Vick paid his debt to society, move on people and stop hating. It would be nice if you were so concerned about all of our young people being murdered everyday all over this country,
The editorial had nothing to do with whether Michael Vick was worthy of a “second chance.” It had everything to do with whether the Eagles were worthy of being PRAISED for signing Vick and the timing of the remarks (amid the success and Pro-Bowl selection, not when originally signed).
And by the way, if you read this blog regularly I FREQUENTLY talk about the issues (more important issues by the way) of urban violence.
Would you like links for your perusal?
Anyone who uses “hater” in debate of topical issues is probably ill-informed to discuss them. It’s a sophomoric and uninformed read.
I don’t “boo” or “cheer” any politician. I assess their policies and stances. When you’re ready to do the same…Mo’Kelly is here.
after prison; not offering more inappropriate idolatry of athletes.
6 responses to “Mr. President, You’re Wrong on Michael Vick”
Part 2–The prez calling now is precisely why he should have called. There is a perception that if you give someone who's been locked up a second chance, he'll just go back and do the same thing. It's not the "giving of the second chance" so much as it's the result of that second chance…that not ALL brothers go back to the same old thing. That some brothers can really make a difference. Vick's happens to be in football, but that's what he's always known. What about the brother on Wall Street? Maybe he's got some business ideas that can be redemptive. What about the brother from the streets? Maybe he can talk to youth in a way that builds up a community instead of breaks it down.
Just my take on it.
Don't know what happened to my first part of the comment, it says it was deleted by administrator?
What was the first part? Mr. MoKelly would never stifle your freedom of speech as much as he values it.
The auto comment moderator has been deleting comments for reasons I’m not sure. The only comments which should ever be deleted are vulgar in nature, spam or from banned posters. To that end, I’ve taken off “intense debate” until I can figure out why it wasn’t precluding certain comments from posting.
@D-Rob…there is no “Freedom of Speech” here. Freedom of Speech is the amendment guaranteeing that Congress shall make no law abridging…yada, yada, yada. Meaning, the government shall not create any law in which you can be prosecuted for expressing your views within safe boundaries and guidelines. The 1st amendment does not apply to private institutions or entities.
People are NOT welcome to say anything and everything here.
https://mrmokelly.com/penal_code/
As I understand it, the President’s call was to congratulate Jeffrey Lurie and the Eagles organization on their upgrading the stadium to a more Eco-friendly or “green” design. The comments about Michael Vick were not the original purpose of his call but this is America, he can call about whatever he wants. Whatever happened to forgiving people for their mistakes. Michael Vick paid his debt to society, move on people and stop hating. It would be nice if you were so concerned about all of our young people being murdered everyday all over this country,
The editorial had nothing to do with whether Michael Vick was worthy of a “second chance.” It had everything to do with whether the Eagles were worthy of being PRAISED for signing Vick and the timing of the remarks (amid the success and Pro-Bowl selection, not when originally signed).
And by the way, if you read this blog regularly I FREQUENTLY talk about the issues (more important issues by the way) of urban violence.
Would you like links for your perusal?
Anyone who uses “hater” in debate of topical issues is probably ill-informed to discuss them. It’s a sophomoric and uninformed read.
I don’t “boo” or “cheer” any politician. I assess their policies and stances. When you’re ready to do the same…Mo’Kelly is here.