Jul 31, 2009
Cup of Joe Award
UPDATE: August 16, 2009 – Michael Vick gives his first interview after his release from prison to “60 Minutes“. Good job to Vick and sports reporter James Brown.
July 31, 2009 – This week’s virtual Cup of Joe Award goes to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for conditionally reinstating former Atlanta Falcons star and convicted felon Michael Vick to the league. Goodell and his reputation have nothing to lose by his decision. However, even if a team signs on Vick, he has more than his reputation to lose if he can’t prove himself both on the field and in the public eye.
EveryDayPR’s Cup of Joe Award spotlights our pick of the week for a public relations performance – good, bad or ugly. If you’d like to submit an idea, contact shart@hartpr.com or www.twitter.com/susanhartpr.
This evening I watched the 60 Minutes interview of Michael Vick. You nailed it on the head when you wrote about Vick’s reputation and how it is his to lose if he can’t prove himself both on the field and in the public eye. The public eye, talk about a no win situation. Even after the 60 Minutes airing tonight, there will be much talk around the water cooler at work tomorrow by those that believe Vick’s remorselessness stems from nothing more than by being caught. Do we really now the truth? No. I, for one, believe him. I believe him when he says he is a changed man. Prison can do that to a person. Developing a personal relationship with God will do that. I was a little set back when James Brown, following up on Vick’s new faith statement, treated it like it was a usual response that everyone says after going through trials and tribulations. That is another subject for another time. Back to Vick. The truth is, Michael Vick is an incredible talent on the football field, and there are many teams that will fall in defeat this upcoming season because Vick is back in the line up. Only time will tell about his heart. Unless he kills another dog, I don’t have the right to judge. Michael, you have served your time according to the laws of the land, and you are a free man. Good luck and I wish you much success. Roger Goodell, you did the right thing. There is nothing wrong with giving a second chance to someone that has been given due process.