After watching the interview (which, by the way, I think James Brown did an excellent job on), I had a hard time figuring out whether Michael was really upset about what he did to the dogs or just upset about what happened to his career as a result of what he did to the dogs. Nevertheless, I have changed my tune as far as forgiving the guy and moving on with life. Initially, I felt like letting him back into the NFL sent the wrong message—to the rest of the league and to how the public perceives the league. But, I think two years in prison does send a stern enough warning even though it can’t bring back the animals that died as a result of his reckless behavior. It’s a controversy that will continue between a lot of people. He says he’s a changed man so hopefully his actions will continue to speak louder than his words.

Source: 60Minutes.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Michael Vick ‘60 Minutes’ Interview

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

Adam “Pacman” Jones appeared on ESPN’s “Outside the Lines” this morning, being interviewed by Stephen A. Smith. He had a similar interview with CBS Sports’ James Brown yesterday and said he expected to be employed by an NFL team next season — maybe even with the Dallas Cowboys. I think Adam is being extremely optimistic. Unless the Oakland Raiders come calling, I don’t think any other team is that nuts for a pretty average, troublemaking cornerback/kick returner. Maybe the UFL is interested?

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Pacman Thinks He’ll Play in 2009

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL

As part of the festivities surrounding the 2008 NFL PLAYERS Gala featuring the JB (James Brown) Awards in Washington D.C., players from around the National Football League joined local Special Olympics athletes for a football clinic yesterday morning. The clinic featured more than 75 local Special Olympics athletes participating alongside NFL player-honorees in five friendly, non-contact football stations. The players interacted with the athletes and helped demonstrate a variety of offensive and defensive skills, including passing, receiving, and kicking. At the conclusion of the clinic, athletes took part in a group photo session with the NFL players.

The 2008 JB Award recipients that participated in the clinic were Amobi Okoye (Houston Texans), Marques Douglas (San Francisco 49ers), Chris Draft (St. Louis Rams), Warrick Dunn (Tampa Bay Bucs), Braylon Edwards (Cleveland Browns), Israel Idonije (Chicago Bears), Kassim Osgood (San Diego Chargers), Mack Strong (formerly of the Seattle Seahawks), James Thrash (Washington Redskins), and Brian Waters (Kansas City Chiefs).

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

NFL Players Join Local Special Olympics Washington D.C. Athletes For Football Clinic

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Warrick Dunn was presented with the 42nd annual Byron “Whizzer” White Award, the NFL Players Association’s (NFLPA) highest honor, yesterday at the NFL PLAYERS Gala featuring the JB Awards in Washington, D.C. Warrick was one of several NFL players honored by James Brown, host of “THE NFL TODAY” on CBS, along with “THE NFL TODAY” analyst and former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Bill Cowher.

The event, which recognized NFL players for their individual contributions to their communities, raised nearly $1 million, the net proceeds of which benefit Special Olympics D.C. It was the fifth consecutive year the NFLPA and NFL PLAYERS partnered with James Brown to honor some of the NFL’s biggest heroes.

Warrick was selected from among 12 JB Award winners as a result of his commitment to the nationally-renowned community project Homes for the Holidays, an annual program he created to help low-income families buy homes in Atlanta, Tampa, Baton Rouge and Tallahassee. As the primary focus of the Warrick Dunn Foundation, the program provides down payments on homes and works with area sponsors to furnish them. Motivated by the memory of his mother, Betty Smothers, Warrick launched the program during his rookie season in 1997 and has since enabled 74 single parents and 192 children realize their lifelong dreams of home ownership.

Warrick was selected by an independent celebrity panel of judges which included NEA Foundation President and CEO Harriet Sanford, Gatorade’s Senior Vice President of Sports Marketing Jeff Urban and Rick “Doc” Walker, host of SportsTalk 980’s “The Doc Walker Show” and Comcast SportsNet’s “Doc Walker’s ProView.” The “Whizzer” White Award is presented annually to the player who serves his team, community and country in the spirit of Byron Raymond “Whizzer” White. The late Supreme Court Justice was a scholar, athlete, patriot, humanitarian and public servant – the personification of the ideal to which professional football players aspire.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Tampa Bay Bucs’ Warrick Dunn Given Top Honors at 2008 NFL Players Gala, JB Awards