BLOG: Michael Vick Speaking Out Against Refs-Too Soon
Written by: John Maroon- President Maroon PR
Following Sunday's game and a rough loss to division rival New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles' quarterback Michael Vick was critical of the referees and claimed that there was a separate set of rules for him where the referees were less likely to call a penalty when he's hit, as opposed to other star quarterbacks in the league.
Two points: 1. He is right. 2. Doesn't matter.
On the play where Michael Vick suffered a bruised hand and was knocked out of the game, a call for helmet to helmet contact could have been made but wasn't. Had a similar hit been made on Tom Brady or Drew Brees, more than likely a flag would have been tossed. Overall, the over protection of quarterbacks has gone too far, but that is a different blog for a different day.
To date, Vick, after being released from prison where he served two years for heinous acts against dogs, has behaved like a first class citizen and has handled repeated questions about the crimes very well. But it is too soon, and it may always be too soon, for him to start to lash out against the refs.
The league allowed Michael back in and he needs to keep that in mind. Right or wrong, he came off poorly following the game. In addition, putting his issues aside, he should let others make that argument for him. Coming from him, it sounded like sour grapes after a loss and a 1-2 start for the "Dream Team," rather than a legitimate point…which it was.
Michael has since recanted his comments and apologized for his remarks, but you can't put the toothpaste back in the tube. The backlash from his comments haven't been too bad, but it is chipping away at how he is viewed and the perceived progress he has made since his release from prison. Some media outlets had fun with it, such as the ever-taunting NY Post. The Post's Monday back page portrayed Vick in a diaper and holding a bottle.
Michael did a nice job watching all things he said and did for quite awhile and it is in his, and the Eagles' best interest, for that to continue. Whoever his "handlers" are - PR guy, agent, etc. -they need to talk to him about this and just remind him that, fair or not, he still isn't just another NFL star.
