AZ Duffman, The Steelers, and Mr. Vick

AZ, who I miss on WoV by the way, has said he boycotted the Steelers because they signed an ex convict, Mr. Vick. I have always scoffed at people who say ex cons shouldn't be in pro sports. While there are some jobs I would have certain past crimes make you ineligible for upon your release from jail, Pro Football isn't one of them. I can see having the rapist not eligible to work in a woman's shelter, or the ex jihadist not eligible to be a commercial airline pilot, etc... Why would we NOT want an ex con to get a job upon release, and geez, why not let him play football? Please give me a list of acceptable jobs for Mr. Vick if not Pro Football?

I wonder if AZ specifically resents the dog-fighting, which was a widespread resentment at one time, or is it a general prohibition against felons in football?

Quote: odiousgambit

I wonder if AZ specifically resents the dog-fighting, which was a widespread resentment at one time, or is it a general prohibition against felons in football?

My question remains the same. Just substitute ex dog fighters for ex cons.

Quote: SOOPOO

AZ, who I miss on WoV by the way, has said he boycotted the Steelers because they signed an ex convict, Mr. Vick. I have always scoffed at people who say ex cons shouldn't be in pro sports. While there are some jobs I would have certain past crimes make you ineligible for upon your release from jail, Pro Football isn't one of them. I can see having the rapist not eligible to work in a woman's shelter, or the ex jihadist not eligible to be a commercial airline pilot, etc... Why would we NOT want an ex con to get a job upon release, and geez, why not let him play football? Please give me a list of acceptable jobs for Mr. Vick if not Pro Football?

Glad to be missed, might be back sooner or later. But about Vick.

First, I do have a general problem with felons playing in general. The NFL claims to care about their "image" (more on that next paragraph) but any felon need just have a 4 game suspension and they may return. My guess is the NFL would care more if a comment was taken as racist or "homophobic" than a felon who people say, "but he's GOOD!"

As to image, at about the same time as Vick was returning, Rush Limbaugh was considering going in as a minority partner for the St Louis Rams, a team in his home state. Roger Goddell said publicly that Rush need not apply for ownership because he was "divisive." Nothing illegal he did, just that he does not fit the viewpoints the NFL has. Meanwhile, Vick sat out 4 games and he was welcomed back. When the first allegations came out, many in the press defended the dog fighting as "culture" Vick grew up in, one reporter when challenged said it was "southern culture." The all but said "because blacks think dog fighting is acceptable." That one is nuts on so many levels i don't have time to go into now between work and a gig.

As to felons in jobs, if I had a felony I could not have gotten most jobs I have held. Even if a casino would hire you chances are you will not get a work card let alone a key-employee license. You will not drive a school bus. One guy I knew of got a stupid, stupid felony said his career was limited to being a bartender. At some level, the NFL has to ask if it matters.

As to what upsets me most, well it is the dog fighting. I love dogs and I guess I love them more than I used to love the Steelers. I made my choice and I made it public. The guy fought, tortured, and killed dogs for personal enjoyment. I find that sick and any business that associates with that kind of man is one I will not associate with. Let me go back to the example of how many stars have had careers ruined because they said something the NAACP or some gay rights group did not care for? Just words.

Acceptable jobs? Easier to say what he is disqualified from:

1. Nothing public where character matters
2. Nothing where money or security matters
3. Nothing where he has to be around the public and trust/safety is involved

He could work as a bartender or restaurant. He could try for an apprenticeship in the skilled trades. He could work in a factory or some kind of unskilled manual labor.

The way he is accepted back just reinforces my thoughts the the USA is a society that has exited decline and entered collapse. At one time he would have faded away. Today people say, "but he's GOOD!" and welcome him back. Well, except for me and maybe 10% of the population.

See, I can't help but like the guy. I remember his early years. He was a lot like I was. Had so much talent that he just rode it. He never tried to excel, never put in real work. He just coasted on his amazing talent, which made him something, but not everything he could be.

I remember hearing interviews upon his return. Former players and coaches said it was a complete 180. He started to dig, started to try, started to work . I can't not respect that.

Further, look at most of these entitled ass clowns. They look at their time as "how dare they" and return as if they are owed something. Oftentimes the behavior doesn't even cease. Look at Manziel or whatever that idiot's name is. Out partying a possible legendary status right down the pisser.

But not Vick. For perhaps the first time in my life (certainly the first I remember), he came back a better person. Under the microscope, I've seen nothing to demonize him since the event. Worked harder, did better, no further uncouth behavior.

Very rare in a celebrity. He has my respect.

That said, f@$! football. I ain't watched a game, either =p

I tend to watch more college football because at least most of the players haven't been convicted of a felony yet.

Quote: Face

That said, f@$! football. I ain't watched a game, either =p

I have lost like 98% of my interest in football over the last 5 years. I used to wait for exhibition season and see how they looked. Watched the 60 minute pre-game any chance I could. Of course watch the Steeler game. Even crunch stats, my dream would have been to be a stat guy. I was told in college to get that job as people could not believe what I could remember and would dig up.

About 2010 or 2011 my interest faded. I just did not even care what we drafted. I'd watch but there was not that special something. Then I bought a wreck of a house and had to remodel on Sundays, had the game on radio but still listened close enough. That may be what helped break me of caring so much. This year I was working nights on weekends all season and slept thru most of what non-Steeler games I saw. I can't sit thru a game, have to be online or otherwise engaged and it is merely background.

Today a friend asked who I liked in the Super Bowl and my honest answer is I don't care, I like Denver having a score ending in 3 and Carolina in 1. I so seriously do not even care, if I got the Puppy Bowl I might watch it instead.

Something or many things have just destroyed my interest.

Quote: AZDuffman

Something or many things have just destroyed my interest.

I agree
I remember the glory days of wrestling.
Mr T, Cindy Lauper, Sgt Slaughter, Iron Sheik, WrestleMania 1
I knew it was all fake but I really enjoyed it.
Then the John Stossel expose came out. I was disgusted. There is pressure to actually cut themselves on the forehead to get the blood flowing. Stossel had his ear drum pooped by wrestler against the expose
Hulk Hogan almost broke Richard Belzers neck
I was totally turned off. stopped watching

I grew up in Baltimore. Huge Johnny Unitas fan. I loved football.
Many years later things have changed for me
Saw Johnny at a fan event before he died.
Broken down old man that can no longer throw overhand
Then learning about CTE
These players are actually destroying their brains on the field
Its not just concussions causing CTE, its the repeated hits to the head that causes CTE including concussions
I still follow it but nowhere near as passionate as I used to be.
I feel sorry for these players
I totally respect Calvin Johnson. Top receiver in the NFL is retiring. Its the smart move
Why destroy your brain simply for the entertainment of the masses
Take Brett Farve, he cant remember his kids soccer game the day before
That is just sad. In a way, your personality is your memories
A good life is having wonderful memories.
The brain is so so important.
Watching players inflict brain damage on each other is not great entertainment to me

Quote: terapined

These players are actually destroying their brains on the field
Its not just concussions causing CTE, its the repeated hits to the head that causes CTE including concussions

That is a really major concern. Some people think it will shortly end the practice of football at all levels. I wonder, though, if anything can be done about it.

I've proposed doing away with the down by contact rule. This encourages hitting the ball carrier rather than tackling him. If the rule said a ball carrier isn't down until he's wrestled to the ground, with the tackler having to maintain contact all the way down, we'd see fewer hits.

This might help, but only so much. Receivers would still get hit to keep them from getting the bal. Life at the lines would remain as is. Blocking also encourages hits. Ball carriers could still be hit to get them out of bounds.

I really don't think there is a solution at all.

Quote: Nareed

That is a really major concern. Some people think it will shortly end the practice of football at all levels. I wonder, though, if anything can be done about it.

I've proposed doing away with the down by contact rule. This encourages hitting the ball carrier rather than tackling him. If the rule said a ball carrier isn't down until he's wrestled to the ground, with the tackler having to maintain contact all the way down, we'd see fewer hits.

This might help, but only so much. Receivers would still get hit to keep them from getting the bal. Life at the lines would remain as is. Blocking also encourages hits. Ball carriers could still be hit to get them out of bounds.

I really don't think there is a solution at all.

There is a solution
Flag football
Its played everyday on college campuses all over the country , its exciting, athletic and does not cause CTE
Unfortunately the American public just loves the violence that causes CTE

http://bennetomalufoundation.org/