I was surprised this morning when one of my co-workers, about the most faithful Indianapolis Colts fan I know,
announced their group would not be attending the Colts vs. Philadelphia Eagle game next Thursday at Lucas Oil Stadium.
I was even more surprised to learn this long-time season ticket holder was considering not renewing Colts season tickets next year due to being upset over Michael Vick’s reinstatement by the National Football League, the Eagles’ hiring of Vick—and Tony Dungy’s involvement in the whole thing.
So I called Colts Executive Vice President Pete Ward to see if the team had gotten any negative feedback about the game or had any special security planned.
“You’re catching me a little early, because we just learned about this this morning,” Ward said. “We haven’t given it much thought.”
Rest assured, they will. The fact that Vick will not be eligible to play until the Aug. 27 game may mute the response. Still, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and other like-minded groups likely will have a protest presence at the stadium. It will be the Eagles first game since Vick was signed by the team, and there's bound to be a media frenzy.
Already throngs of media have descended on Eagles training camp (no less than 40 news outlets nationwide), and at least some of those, a long with a few new ones, will descend on Indianapolis for the Aug. 20 game. Colts officials and players are likely to find themselves answering questions about their thoughts on and support for the Eagles' hire, and about Vick in general. Somebody please call Myra Borshoff.
But Ward isn’t expecting a huge backlash from the Colts' faithful. He hasn’t heard a single negative word about Dungy’s role as Vick’s mentor. Vick, as you probably know, got out of prison a couple months ago for illegal dog fighting. The details of his kennel's activity are gruesome.
“We have not heard a peep,” Ward said. “If we had gotten any letters, phone calls or e-mails, I would know because they would have told me.”
So that leads me to this conclusion. Either my co-worker is an anomaly here in Indianapolis, and there will be little reverb regarding this game or future Colts’ ticket sales.
Or the Colts will get completely blindsided.
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NFL fans who are bent out of shape over Vick's reinstatement, but are silent on Dante Stallworth's recent actions and minimal penalty need to reprioritize. Dante killed a MAN for crying out loud.
Adam Jones entourage essentially left a man paralyzed in a freak Vegas Strip Club shooting.
This is something the EAGLES did, not the Colts. It is foolish to take some sort of action against the Colts specifically. If it is the NFL they have a beef with, fine, give up your tix to a single team because of a League decision if you somehow think that is justified, but don't then overlook every other issue to focus solely on Vick.
And to even imply that Vick signing with the Eagles has ANYTHING to do with the Indianapolis Colts (other than Dungy as a well intentioned mentor) is ridiculous. Nobody can logically conclude that Vick/Eagles will impact the Colts ticket sales. If anything you could assume it would boost ticket sales. Demand is driven by both negative and positive factors. People want to see him no matter how much they hate him (ever heard of Barry Bonds?).
Further, I question one's fanhood if they skate on their Colts tickets because the Eagles front office rolled the dice on a player. If he wants to turn on the Colts like, to him I say good riddance.
Get over yourself and get over Vick...there are bigger things in life to worry about.
2. Dungy is a great man.
Dungy is a good man for not judging people, but rather helping them become better. I wonder if this person selling his season tickets would also beat up a priest for visiting a prison.
Tony Dungy IS a great man who was willing to risk his reputation to help another human being. How many of us would be willing to do that?
The Colts, Indianapolis and the NFL are extremely lucky to have had this great man to learn from!
To the man that wants to sell Colts season tickets and abandon the NFL. This is america. Voice your opinion, sell your Colts season tickets, and volunteer to coach a suburban youth league football team.
Also, I'm just assuming those judging Vick right now have never done anything wrong in their lives and do have the absolute right to place judgement on somebody who has apologized for their actions, done their time and not belly-ached or made excuses for their wrong behavior? If that's the case, then I guess that you're entitled. If not, then I think maybe you should consider spending more time on improving yourself instead so that you won't have enough time to complain about the faults of others. btw...that's in the Chuck Norris code of ethics.
You know, I don't condone what Vick did. But I think that he does feel sorry and shouldn't stop living or discontinue having dreams because of a failure in his personal actions. What exactly does he have to do in order to get forgiveness? I think that he is trying pretty hard. I also think that Tony Dungy is a great guy who realizes that and works to build people up, regardless of their short-comings. Maybe through all of this and because of Tony, Vick will be a stronger person and a great man who does a lot more outside of football. We've all made mistakes in life that we regret. Many of us have made some big ones that possibly no one really knows about and we are ashamed of. However, we don't have judgement coming around us at every corner, reminding us of what we've done and denying us of any opportunities.
So, I encourage everyone to take a step back and look in the mirror before speaking out about the actions of others. Also, a little mercy goes a long way. Ask my kids after I've caught them doing something wrong.
I think people have a hard time understanding forgiveness and repentance, and that is what Tony Dungy is promoting. If Tony didn't believe Michael Vick was contrite, there is no way he would stick his neck out for Mike. If you don't believe me, think about what the President of the Humane Society said about Vick:
We were very involved in criticizing Vick for conduct which we found reprehensible, and we strongly supported law enforcement and judicial action that led to his incarceration, Pacelle told ESPN.com (in May). I don't think anyone was tougher on him than we were. But the goal was never the continued punitive treatment of Michael Vick. The goal has always been to eradicate dogfighting in America and around the world.
As for Vick, I wish him well, but hope he doesn't show up in Indy.
Comparing dog fighting to child molestation or rape (or any other sexual offense) is not a comparison. Do I think dog fighting is okay? No. Do I think the severity of dog-fighting is the same as the crimes you mentioned, drug crimes or murder (of a human being)? No.
And fact of the matter, there are more than your tens-of-thousands who are also disgusted with his actions, but think that he has served his time for this and, again, don't think the crime is as severe as the ones you compare it to. And that's why he is being let back into the NFL... because those with your sentiment on the issue are out-numbered.
And I do have a dog at home. And if you are a good parent (and by good, I mean teach them to see all sides and not just your side), you will be able to explain to your child why he is able to be back in the NFL.