Arena Team Owner Upset Over Vick Stunt

Albany Firebirds Offered Disgraced QB Contract For Publicity; Dog Lover Owner Appalled

(AP)  The owner of a minor league football team that offered Michael Vick a contract told a newspaper he didn't know about the publicity stunt and would not have approved it.

"I'm a dog lover and I don't want anything to do with (Vick)," Albany Firebirds owner Walter Robb told The Times Union for a story posted on its Web site Tuesday night.

Earlier in the day, the team - an arenafootball2 franchise - announced it had offered the 28-year-old quarterback a one-year contract at the league standard: $200 a week plus a $50 bonus for a win.

"That's a joke," Robb said. "Can you imagine him playing for $200 a week? I think (the offer) was a big mistake."

The announcement was later pulled from the team's Web site.

Firebirds general manager Garen Szablewski told The Times Union the team's marketing department came up with the idea to make an offer to Vick.

"The process wasn't thought through properly," Szablewski said. "The right hand didn't know what the left hand was doing."

Vick played for the Atlanta Falcons for six seasons before being convicted of bankrolling an interstate dog fighting business.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has not said if he will lift Vick's suspension after he completes a 23-month prison sentence. Vick goes from federal prison to home confinement next month.

The Firebirds' contract offer also required Vick donate $100,000 to a local humane society.

A call to Vick's agent when the announcement of an offer was made was not immediately returned.

[zipadeedodah]

Vick is trash. Educate yourselves: http://www.stopdogfighting.net/ and http://www.hsus.org/hsus_field/animal_fighting_the_final_round/dogfighting_fact_sheet/
or http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/02/0218_040218_dogfighting.html

"When the facts of something are staring you in the face and you refuse to acknowledge them because they contradict something that you believe to be true, but that can not be actually shown to be true, then you are remaining willfully ignorant. Willful ignorance is the worst kind of ignorance, because it smacks of stupidity. Ignorance is not having the opportunity to learn, stupidity is being unable to learn. Ignorance is curable, stupidity is not. " ~ Brandon Kumm, Religion

[joel178]

HE will play guys THEY got nobody as good as him

[andie52]

You idiots are just blowing hot air! Always wanting to judge someone, but are true hypocrites. I bet you have never saved a dog's life in your entire life. Get a life.
Posted by blog_fever2 at 7:23 AM : Apr 29, 2009

If I have saved one then that's one more than you have saved. Vick is done.

[Oregon_State_OSU]

Chilo45

You said

Michael Vick is a disgrace to professional sports and should never be allowed to play professionally again. He personally ruined his chances and for that he has to go find something else to do. With his college education he should be able to get a job cleaning out kennels.


I would bet that Mike Vick is playing in the NFL again Next Year. He is extreamly talanted and was a great player. I am not saying what he did was right at all & he got busted and did his time in JAIL.

But watch out when Mike Vick does walk onto the Football Field I would bet that hundreds of people in the stands throw dog treats on the field.

[Oregon_State_OSU]

GET OVER IT,

It was a STUNT, Like Mike Vick would accept any kind of offer like that & for that LITTLE amount of money. Only an IDIOT or REETARD might think that Mike Vick might accept an offer like that.

GEEEEEEEZZZZZ. Get over it !

[talcoolone]

Jesus thought for a moment and then replied, ?He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone..."

[LABLVR]

blog_fever2 -- No, you are quite wrong. I've personally rescued several dogs over the years as have thousands of other decent people. We clean up after the morons who abandon and abuse animals. I'm delighted Michael Vick was found guilty and is serving time in prison. His football career should be over permanently.

It is a fact that individuals who abuse animals will eventually turn to abusing and killing people. Anyone, regardless of their gender, race, creed, etc. who abuses animals is more than a bit disturbed. Those who participate in abuse to make money are the scum of the earth ... period.

[mtcolquitt]

I can just hear MV saying, " Don't ya'll know who I am and what my capabilities are? I dislike those who hurt animals and those who are so arrogant!
Mr. Robb, fire your left hand!!

[blog_fever2]

You idiots are just blowing hot air! Always wanting to judge someone, but are true hypocrites. I bet you have never saved a dog's life in your entire life. Get a life.

[pete_in_az]

It seems only my sports fan friends have a soft spot for this guy. I'm with the last person, take his pro football future away for good. Pete Rose was stiffed for less.

[budmag06]

I'm a dog lover too. Vick should never see another football game again. Good for you, Walter Robb!