Call for Public Apology by Atlanta Falcon�s Owner for Racially Offensive Remark about Michael Vick

(I-Newswire) December 12, 2007 -
Los Angeles Urban Policy Roundtable


December 12, 2007
for Immediate Release
Contact: Earl Ofari Hutchinson
323-296-6331


Call for Public Apology by Atlanta Falcon's Owner for Racially Offensive Remark about Michael Vick

Atlanta Falcon's owner Arthur Blank was a guest on Monday Night Football December 10. He was asked about former Atlanta Falcons quarterback and convicted animal abuser Michael Vick's future with the team. This is what he said: "There's a lot of roadblocks to Michael coming back and even playing in the National Football League, Tony. Let's assume he's out for three seasons, 07, 08 and 09. If he doesn't watch himself and eats a lot of fried chicken and fries in prison, comes out 215 pounds he's not going to be the same athlete he was."
The remark was racially insensitive and offensive. The remarks continues a recent pattern in which leading media and public figures from Don Imus to Dog the Bounty Hunter have routinely demeaned African-Americans with wise cracks, slips, gaffes and off-color jokes. Each time these public figures have been called on the carpet for their racial insensitivity, they have publicly apologized. Blank must do the same.
African-American fans and players, and that includes Vick, have played a major role in the Atlanta Falcon's financial success. They also are major patrons of Home Depot, co-founded by Blank. This makes it even more imperative that Blank publicly apologize for his remark.

Company Contact Information
Earl Ofari Hutchinson