Why Can't Some Falcons Fans Move Past Mike Vick?

This year marks year 3 of the Matt Ryan era in Atlanta and expectations are high. The Falcons are coming off back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in team history. Michael Turner is healthy, and significant upgrades have been made to the defense, most notably the addition CB Dunta Robinson. However, there is another unseen pressure that rests on the shoulders of Matt Ryan this year, a pressure that sparks arguments quicker than a match, a pressure that has managed to divide the Falcons fan base – the Ghost of Michael Vick.

It has been 4 years since Michael Vick played his last down with the Atlanta Falcons; however, to this day if you mention Vick’s name in this town, a conversation of anger and disdain is sure to follow that would rival any political or religious argument. The conversation is not all anger...

over 1 year ago TNSP SportsNet 16 comments 0 recs |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

I think this is overblown

Winning is the salve that solves all problems. Fans who are more interested in cheering for Vick than the Falcons aren’t Falcons fans, anyways.

by Dave Choate on Sep 10, 2010 3:54 PM EDT reply actions

I am only a Falcon fan because of Joe Zelenka

Are you saying my love of the Falcons is less pure than yours?

Punk.

"You can't print what I said, but they have to catch us." - Chipper Jones

by Jman781 on Sep 10, 2010 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions

I am

Because Joe Zelenka lacks the pure spirit of a true Falcon. TRUE STORY.

by Dave Choate on Sep 10, 2010 7:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe some fans can't move past it...

because people like this author (having nothing original or creative to write about) keep bringing the subject up ad nauseam! Enough already.

by tom slick on Sep 10, 2010 3:55 PM EDT reply actions

Because they were Vick fans

not Falcon fans.

by mwalex on Sep 10, 2010 10:13 PM EDT reply actions

I was a vick fan first

And im still Here with ATL always will be, i still root for him hope he does well unless he plays us. Some people dont agree with me but i really think he was the best thing to happen to our franchise. I love him for what he did what he brought and everything else. He’s still one of my favorite players in the NFL.While i dont agree with killing dogs or anything i still support him in his recovery because he is as every bit as human as i am. That said even if i love him as a player if he plays atlanta you better believe im going to be wishing ’Spoon puts a helmet in his gut.

http://www.youtube.com/user/HANDSOMElifeOFswing - Cal Football Highlights+ More Bay area sports

by 4Ever Golden on Sep 11, 2010 1:53 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

See, but that's fine

I’m not going to wag my finger at you for still liking Vick. If you put the Falcons first, you’re a Falcons fan, and you can root for whoever you want in other matchups. Hell, there are players around the league I find myself pulling for when nothing’s on the line.

by Dave Choate on Sep 11, 2010 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Nobody's flawless

We all make mistakes.

by YokoFalcon on Sep 11, 2010 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Without even reading I'll say this

And not to sound racist, but I’m Black too.

MV7 is black, and was supported by Blacks, and Black people have a hard time letting things go from the past. We still gripe about how the man has put us down since slavery and we still live in poverty and the way he was treated by PETA, The NFL and the Law, was seen by the community as harsh, when usually other non white player seemly get punished much less for “similiar” caliber crimes. Even the Plaxico issue seemed too harsh. It’s just a constant reminder of how blacks are treated.

In their eyes he’s seen as a dream never lived. It’s like you yourself or you have a vision of becoming a doctor or lawyer. Making six figures, with a fancy car, house and a wife. In many ways you know it will never happen but you still try and see how close you can get to “represent” the icon you want to be (in your mind) even if you never actually get there.

Feeding the Monster since 1984

by brotherbrown on Sep 11, 2010 4:05 AM EDT reply actions

from a white guy

Other celebrities that have committed far worse crimes got nothing in comparison to Vick. He did time in freaking Leavenworth!!! WTF?

by YokoFalcon on Sep 11, 2010 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Falcons #1, but #7 was special

I’ve been a Falcon fan for over 20 years now and yes, the Falcons come first. But, what Mike brought to the FIELD was some of the most electrifying stuff any sports fan has ever seen. I’m thankful that we had the opportunity for him to come to Atlanta. I hope he learns from his mistakes and becomes a better person. Best Wishes Mike.

Now, that being said, would I prefer the regime Vick played under versus the one running the show now? Absolutely Not! Jim Mora and Petrino? No Way!

Smith & Dimitroff know what they’re doing and it’s extremely refreshing. I’ve never felt this much confidence in the organization. Go Falcons!

Go #2, #33, #32, etc…

by YokoFalcon on Sep 11, 2010 1:08 PM EDT reply actions

Vick is still my guy

and favorite QB ever, fuck how anyone feels:
-“But he fought dogs”: how does this affect my personal life?
-“He was caught and suspected of having marijuana: again how does this affect my personal life?
-”Vick flipped off a fan": I couldn’t care less, he didn’t flip me off
This and whatever else any Vick-hater has to say. Its good to see how he worked his way back into league and can still flat out get the job done. Hope he gets the opportunity to start somewhere soon.

Note: Just because you don’t like Vick doesn’t make you a hater, but when you go out of your way to broadcast your disdain for the man, that constitutes as hate in my book and you (along with the piece of shit organization also know as PETA) need to get a life.

by qthaballa on Sep 13, 2010 3:05 AM EDT reply actions

I couldn't stand the guy when he played for us.

The first couple of years were great but the me, me, me thing got old fast. I got over it. I was genuinely happy for him on Sunday even pulling for the guy. I hope he has matured but it ain’t my problem. I’m even starting him over Rivers this week in FF. I’m still happier to have Matt Ryan we just need to win.

Rule #1: Double tap.

by Ball Hawk on Sep 14, 2010 11:10 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

what mike vick brought to this franchise was special…….he gave us hope and a chance to win games for that yes its hard to let go of someone that every sunday made u want to turn on the tv………..thanks mike for that………….we havent let him go because he took us to the nfc title game even with a bad coaching staff…………but look people he is no longer with us and now we have turned our focus on matty ice…………and while #7 did that for us matty has also done something special for us………we havent won back to back until he got here……… thank you matty ice for that…………..the thing that most people arent seeing here is that we kinda still feel like this is vicks team until matt ryan wins the nfc title game for us…………so lets all be falcons and no matter who is slinging the rock back there lets give them love

by dionysus1925 on Sep 18, 2010 5:03 PM EDT reply actions

qthaballa

Couldnt have said it better myself. Ppl hate on mike cuz they got nothin better to do. I still love and root for mike. I dont agree with the way the organization did him but I still root for my Birds. Big game today!

by ZTrez56 on Sep 26, 2010 4:56 AM EDT reply actions

Vick

is a jerk, a punk and a crook. Always was. Always will be. If you think you have seen the last of him in court just hang on. By the way I grew up and lived near Hampton and I know what I’m talking about.

by jimwarren on Oct 4, 2010 6:39 PM EDT reply actions