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I have defended Vick quite a bit, primarily due to the protection of his civil rights. The dogfighting trial led to the kind of media lynching that typically occurs when a black athlete makes a legal mistake. But in the case of someone being shot at Vick's birthday party, I have to seriously ask him what in the heck he was thinking.
On one hand, we know Vick can't control the actions of individuals who attend his party. You can have security and screen all day if you want, but you are never completely sure about what's going on underneath the surface. At the same time, given that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell warned Vick that his margin of error was very small, no such party should have occurred in the first place. When you've got $5.2 million in salary on the line, your "birthday bash" should consist of you and three of your favorite cousins kicking it on the couch with the PlayStation controller.
At this point, I still think that Vick's side of the story should be heard. All the while, Vick is unlike other athletes who haven't spent time in prison. He is the guy who was nearly banned for life and allowed back in the league on a hope and a prayer. If I were an executive with the Eagles, he'd be off my roster for good.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and a Scholarship in Action Resident of the Institute for Black Public Policy. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here. 
Comments: (32)
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By: Greg Franklin on 7/05/2010 2:31PM
I will wait for the facts. I like it when people are loyal and don't forget the people that they grew up with, who were friends before all the fame. I will admit that some of these friends can become problems. I also know that some of these friends are the kind of individuals that stick around when times are not good like when he was in jail. Why should Michael Vick be punished for the actions of others if he had nothing to do with it ?
I am sure that this incident will be scrutinized and rightfully so.
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By: jackie smurf on 7/05/2010 8:09PM
Very well stated!!
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By: sagaa on 7/05/2010 10:07PM
I find that many white girls are trying to find black guys as their matches on
_____M i x e d M a t c h i n g . C o m____. White girls are interested in black guys, then how about the black girls? I do prefer to find a black man as my boy friend.
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By: alie on 7/05/2010 4:51PM
why? are they so reactionist why not wait and see first, give the man a break!
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By: alie on 7/05/2010 4:53PM
He might have to drop his friends if the are dragging him down, but at least he can concentrate on doing good elsewhere in helping others get out of the hood if they have the potential to be footballers, he can set up programmes and encourage his fellow footballers to do the same? you give back you get back, a lot of young people out their doing nothing looking for employment!
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By: Choice on 7/05/2010 5:11PM
I have been a follower of your articles for quite some time, and have always agreed with you, however this article, I can't believe you wrote that, I find it extremely hard to believe that you would draw a conclusion without having facts. The only facts that have been made public, 1. Vick had a open to the public birthday party, 2. a person was shot and wounded in the parking lot after that party. 3. Phillips one of Vick's codefendant in the dog fighting case. Outside of that you have not facts. Vick has give a number of public speeches, and has hosted several other event, and Phillips could have shown up to any one of them, and the same thing could have happened, would you then blame Vick. Or is this a matter this party had damn near (if not all) black guests so it makes the party suspect or trouble from the start. What some seem to want to overlook, is the fact that Vick is not responsible for another adults actions, and this would include Phillips, if anyone is in violation of his parole or probation it would be Phillip. Again you don't have any facts to base your opinion on, and I am more than surprised at you for writing something that you (just like everyone else) don't have any facts surrounding that shooting that took place in a parking lot, after the party. You better than anyone should know how media blows shyt, I guess you didn't notice that in the Ben Roethlisberger situation coverage was at a minimal until all the facts were release, at which time it was still at a minimal. Maybe Vick deserves the same type of treatment.
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By: jackie smurf on 7/05/2010 8:09PM
Excellent comment!!
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By: BERYL THOMAS on 7/08/2010 2:54PM
U R SO DAM RIGHT , AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WOULDN;T HAVE HAD A PARTY AND INVITED THE PUBLIC LIKE THIS.
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By: Hanna on 7/05/2010 5:38PM
Vick just stay away from things the might get you kicked off the football field!!!!! thats all we ask... you are a great player.. kids look up to you ..i defend you .. dont get me wrong i hate what you did, but you paid your dues...now is the time for you to be on the football field and giving back to the KIDS.. you have more money then you need...give a few free lessons run a camp free to all.. show us who you realy are... a good person ..as a coach i get to see young athletics everyday.. they want to play like you.. show them them the perosn you realy are ... i know its there..just remember nothing good happens after midnight ...
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By: jackie smurf on 7/05/2010 8:09PM
Please wait for all the facts. Vick has no controll over Phillips, he cannot keep that man out of a public building. If anyone is to "blame" its Phillips.
Vick Hater's sit down!
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