Sorry, NAACP, But It's Not Up to You To Decide Vick's Future

The president of the Atlanta, Georgia chapter of the National Association of the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), R.L. White, has serious doubts of disgraced Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick's guilt on charges of running an illegal dog fighting ring. White says that when Vick's legal troubles are over, he- Vick- should be allowed to be back inside the uniform of the Atlanta Falcons.

I'm sorry, Mr. White, but that's not for you or anyone in the NAACP to decide. Instead, that responsibility lies solely with the Falcons organization and the national Football League (NFL).

Vick is expected to plead guilty on the dog fighting ring charges, and faces up to 60 months- 5 years- in federal prison. The judge in the case is known to be a tough jurist, so I'm saying that Vick will get closer to the 60 months time, if not a harsh censure. Having said this, it's my belief that the NAACP should stay out of the sports business, lest there is known discrimination against black NFL players. I find none in this case, and the fault, in my opinion, lies solely with Mr. Vick and his co-defendants. It's not a racial thing, and the NFL- as far as I know- doesn't make decisions based upon race or even sexual orientation.

So let the NFL do their job, NAACP. If they feel that Mr. Vick needs to be terminated, that's their decision. And if they decide to reinstate him, it must be on the account that they have full faith that Michael Vick has paid his debt to society.

I think that the NFL can make the call- without the help of the NAACP.

Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander.
All Rights Reserved.