Now What ?

What should be the position taken by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and the re-instatement of former NFL player, Michael Vick ? The player is now set to be a free man after serving the last part of his sentence at a half-way house. Seemingly now , the final adjudication to be made will by Goodell, himself , as to Vick’s immediate future.

Vick leaves a federal district court on Monday in Norfolk , Va,. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Mark Thibodeaux ................

At stake is whether or not the player can return and resume his livelihood as an NFL player. It’s a privilege and not a right to play within the NFL ! And albeit, that Vick has served his sentence as meted out by the justice system. The indefinite suspension elicited by Goodell and given to Vick was based admission of by his own volition with regard to his involvement in a dogfighting ring and the very fact that whilst this was going on he was also part of a nationwide betting ring enacpsulating the sport. That in ofitself, was enough for Goodell to act.

Some people seem to forget that there are strict rules in place concerning players and illegal wagering. And herein lies the real problem as many of Vick’s supporters seem to overlook or just don’t seem to care that he broke a federally mandated law. You can’t have it both ways as far as this issue is concerned with regard to Michael Vick and his transgressions. It’s like excusing the actions of rapist , merely because he’s told you he won’t do it again. Vick for his part placed himself in an impossible position , once the lies started to mount , one on top of another. He lied to the Commissioner , the Falcons’ ownership, his teammates and above all the federal law enforcement officers investigating the crime.

Vick and his lawyer Larry Woodward seen here arriving at the federal courthouse in Norfolk , Virginia,. Vick met with the judge to satisfy him that he'd met the requirements of his release from within legal system. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo / Steve Helber .....................

When the Atlanta Falcons chose to rescind Vick’s rights and he became a free-agent . There was a great deal of speculation as to which teams would show an interest in the former Pro-Bowler. But it also has to be noted that there was allegedly an interest to be shown by one of the new franchises within the fledgling United Football League .

Jim Haslett , who’s said to have expressed an interest in the player once his legal and NFL status has been completely resolved. He feels that Vick’s need for a fresh start is paramount if he’s to completely turn his life around. And that if anything is what everyone envisages for the player. As to how soon that’ll happen will be most definitely be predicated upon the decision yet to be made by Roger Goodell. Most certainly he’ll be addressing the league’s general counsel as well as DeMaurice Smith , Head of the NFL Players Association (NFLPA).

However, the troubling thing in all of this is that Goodell has given no indication as to what his decision might be. And it makes the situation seem all the more like an unfolding thriller movie . Wherein the plot has as many twists as it has turns. Seemingly now is trying to work out who’s the hero and who’s the villain in the midst of this all ? Is it the dastardly commissioner ? Or the player now seeking to turn his life around ? And as apologetic as Vick may have been initially. A real act of contrition from the player would’ve been to address all of the parties with a concerted effort , offering his profound apologies for his misdeeds and actions all round.That sort of sincerity would go a long way in persuading Goodell that there has been a profound change by the player.

In happier times , Arthur Blank, owner of the Atlanta Falcons and his Pro-Bowl quarterback Michael Vick . picture afp/photo/ Scott Thompson ..................

Granted he’s said to be working in conjunction with PETA in making several PSA’s (public service announcements) to be aired both on television and radio. And though Vick still has his detractors . He also still has a great many supporters . Much of that support appears to be along racial lines. But it’d be remiss to think that all African Americans are completely in support of Vick and his actions. And whilst many have used his behavior as a suggestion that much of this comes down to his social environment and upbringing. I think that it’s a poor excuse for someone who seems to not know right from wrong , much less have a moral compass to guide him to begin with. One has to be accountable to for one’s actions. And that’s something that Vick clearly didn’t seem to comprehend at the time. Either he’s lacking in intelligence or he’s an amoral individual to begin with ?

My biggest concern now is how this’ll be played out should Vick not be re-instated ? Will it be viewed as rightful response by the public at large ? Or will it be seen as perhaps a racially motivated response ? I’d like to consider that it’s not the latter ! But it’s my belief that the NFL and the game has gone way beyond that with regard to this very issue. We all saw how divided the citizenry had become after the O J Simpson acquittal. This mess could well have been avoided , had Vick initially saw fit to tell the truth to begin with. But then again that’d be predicated upon his doing the right thing to begin with. And that’s to be truthful as to his action , rather than hiding behind the veil of privilege and his celebrity status.

As funny as it appears athletes would have us believe that their human and are no different from the fans who support them. Unfortunately that’s a fallacy that just doesn’t hold true. As more often than not when they’ve ran afoul of the law and plead their innocence. All too often that alleged human frailty, then arises as they choose to circumvent the law. And then try as they must, to either hide their guilt or buy their way out with their own apparent view as to how justice ought to be applied as befitting them.

Just Tiny Baby Steps Please … !

I try not to get overly enthusiastic when I hear that there’s another British boxer on the rise in the world,in the sport of boxing. Merely because many of them, once having crossed the Atlantic , they tend to end up biting the dust when they’ve faced an American opponent on these shores.

British boxer Amir Khan (right) stands toe to toe while connecting to the head of his Ukrainian opponent Andreas Kotelnik . The bout took place at the M.E.N Arena in Manchester , England , this past Saturday , 18th July, 2009. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Andrew Yates .................

The exception to the rule over the last few years have been former undisputed heavyweight champion , Lennox Lewis and the former undisputed super middleweight champion and the linear title holder amongst the light heavies, Joe Calzaghe. These two fighters seemed to have excelled when facing an opponent said to be their superior in almost every facet of the fight game.

Amir Khan lands a quick right hand to the head of Marco Antonio Barrera in their world title fight held earlier this year in March at the M.E.N Arena in Manchester , England. Khan won the fight impressively with a fifth round stoppage which resulted in a technical decision. A bruised, bloodied and battered Barrera was unable to come out for the sixth round of their WBO Inter Continental lightweight title bout. picture appears courtesy of getty images / Andrew Livesey ............................

And when one takes into account that the two of them were a combined 87-2-1 over the course of their careers. With the tow blemishes on that record being Lewis’ two losses , one each to Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman . Both of which were swiftly avenged by Lewis , with comprehensive victories over both of his nemesis-es.

Frank Warren and his young protoge' Amir Khan seen here publicizing Khan's upcoming defense against Andreas Kotelnik. Warren has started to make pronouncements that his young fighter is the future of the sport within the division and is prepared to take on allcomers. picture appears courtesy of getty images / John Gichigi ..........................

Which brings me to introduction of up and coming young prospect Amir Khan . Who already at the tender age of 22 , has now been crowned a world champion, capturing the junior light welterweight title with a unanimous victory over Andreas Kotelnik , this past Saturday night . And as impressive as that victory might well have been . His previous victory may well have been the one that has now put him on the fast track for super-stardom in the sport of boxing. His defeat of former seven time world champion, (three different weight classes) Marco Antonio Barrera , may well have put to rest the fact that prior to the bout. He’d been fight nothing more than tomato cans and patsies for good measure.

Khan in one of the rare and elusive moments that Kotelnik was able to lead an attack manages to evade a punch from the fighter during their bout. picture appears courtesy of afp/getty images/ Andrew Yates ...........................

With the victory now over Kotelnik and his prior defeat of Barrera. The talk now , is for Khan to step up in class and pedigree, the type of fighters that he ought to now face. While, wholeheartedly I’m not against this, I do feel that it’d be in the title holder’s best interest to think things through before facing his next challenger. And though one might use the analogy from hereon-in ,it’ll be like shooting fish in a barrel. Khan should be forewarned that it takes a wise man to think through but a fool to just step on in thinking that nothing that stands in their way can’t be defeated.

Khan lands a left hook to the already dishevelled face of his opponent Andreas Kotelnik. For a large majority of the bout it was Khan who was the aggressor. And the judges were succinct in arriving at a unanimous verdict at the end of twelve rounds of boxing for the light welterweight title. picture appears courtesy of afp/getty images/ Andrew Yates .........................

The praise lauded upon the young fighter whilst justified should also act as a cautionary note if he chooses not to heed the advice being given to him at this juncture. Obviously there’s a great deal of money to be made as the champion. But all the money in the world cannot hide the embarrassment of defeat when you’re being handily beaten in the ring by a challenger who’s not even as talented as you to begin with. And this is seemingly the situation that Khan now finds himself in. As his manager , Frank Warren continues to guide his career meticulously. But as of late Warren is apt to believe that Khan can now take on the likes of former title holder within the division , Ricky Hatton and quite possibly land a big money bout against none other than Floyd Mayweather Jr. Such grandiose ideas serves his fighter no real purpose other than to get him noticed. And it’s highly unlikely that we’ll see the return of Hatton to the ring in the near future. Especially , not after the crushing defeat he was dealt at the hands of Manny Pacquiao , inside all of two rounds. Hatton was completely emasculated by the Filipino fighter and I doubt he’ll ever be the same again.

A jubilant Khan is raised in celebration by one of his cornermen after the announcement is made that he's defeated Andreas Kotelnik for the light welterweight title. picture appears courtesy of afp/getty images/ Andrew Yates ..............

As to Khan facing Mayweather at this juncture . I think it’s pretty safe to say we can all envisage how that bout is likely to turn out , were they face each other within the next six to eight months. And I’d like to consider also that Warren would be nowhere stupid enough to lay down the gauntlet by even daring to call out Manny Pacquiao to face Amir Khan. But such been the state of boxing that in some respects the promoters tend to do more harm to the image of the sport. Rather than actually enhancing its image , legacy and above its integrity.

As an avid fight fan , I must admit that I do like to see the very best take on the best in title bouts. But what I do feel that is totally unwarranted when it comes to the sport , is to see a lamb being led to the slaughter. It serves no real purpose other than trying to fill the unquenchable thirst of many of the unsavory characters that still remain within the sport. There’s so much widespread corruption within the sport that it can’t be corralled. And at the same time the international governing bodies that control the sport , have been bought and sold many times over. That it remains to be seen who can be truly be trusted to be proactive and do the right thing.

Whilst, I understand that there’s a great deal of money to be made from a title bout. What with the untold amounts of wagering that’s made. The merchandising , ancillary promotions , concessions but above all the rights involved in terms of selling about abroad through the various media outlets. And then to top it all we have the enormous prices that’s charged in terms of the PPV price(pay-per-view). A top notch title bout between two well known fighters can garner in excess of $50m-$60m . Dependent upon the time of the year the bout is held and what venue it is being held in. If that doesn’t signify how much of a cash-cow that a prestigious title can garner for all of the parties concerned. Then it is understandable as to the reasons why more often than not we hear these wild pronouncements being made by one party or another concerning the fighters nowadays. It’s all part of the selling process that’s intended to lure the avid , wavering fan and first time observer in, to witness the spectacle of a major boxing promotion.

Nothing else seemingly matters at the end of the day. Just as long as all of the parties concerned are equally taken care of. However. in some cases there are those who stand to profit more than others. Rightfully, or wrongfully the powers that wouldn’t want it any other way to begin with It’s just the way the business of boxing is conducted. While it enrages some , it most definitely pleases others.

Where Is The Love ?

You’ve two small children playing in a sand-box when all of a sudden a small eruption is created and the two though trying to be amiable to one another. For all sense and purpose, they actually do not like each other at all. What’s a parent to do ? Much less the adult that has to the two young kids within their custody ?

Hostile Galaxy fans make their feelings known towards the player David Beckham who's featured in picture. This was all part of an onslaught and crescendo in evidence during a midseason friendly that took place between the Los Angeles Galaxy and A C Milan at the Home Depot Center in Carson , California ,. picture appears courtesy of afp/getty images/ Gabriel Bouys ..........................

So it is with the non-sensical feuding that’s now allegedly taking place with perhaps the two most recognizable names on the Los Angeles Galaxy soccer team. In one corner you have fledlgling superstar Landon Donovan and in the other you’ve got the over-hyped world soccer star David Beckham.

To my mind the Galaxy were sold a bill of goods when they chose to take their player within their fold. I can purely understand that it was done from a business standpoint to create a buzz for the game of soccer within the greater Los Angeles are and in particular amongs the Latino and Caribbean populace. That being said that experiment has become about as the McCain, Palin ticket ,that the Republicans deemed would be successful in garnering the party a further four more years in the White House. Well that ticket sank from the get-go,faster than a German U-boat that’d come under attack from the Allied Forces. And the same can be said about the apparent goodwill that was initially in place when Beckham came onboard with the L A Galaxy.

If ever there was a time for the player (David Beckham #23) to appease the fans in L A . Then now'd be the time for him to prove them wrong and that he can deal with adversity on various differing fronts. picture appears courtesy of afp / getty images/ Gabriel Rouys .............................

What initally looked like a PR dream has now become a complete nightmare of unimaginable proportions for not only the Galaxy’s hierarchy . But also for the Beckham, as well as the game’s sanctioning body for domestic league competition, Major League Soccer (MLS). And tje situation certainly hasn’t been helped by the team’s apparent lack of success on the field. Albeit that the initial large crowds that first greeted Beckham are no longer to be seen at the team’s home venue of the Home Depot Center in Carson, California. They’ve now become something of a rarity with regard to a large sell-out audience. And in terms of a the local or even national tv audience. It barely raises a blip on the Nielsen ratings nationally or even within the team’s own home market.

Ronaldinho of AC Milan is seen heree shielding the bal from the L A Galaxy's Landon Donovan in a mid-season friendly game staged at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California. picture appears courtesy of getty images/ Kevork Djansezian ...................

And it would appear that Landon Donovan’s critical review and assessment of his teammate though being his personal view. It’s apparent that those said view aren’t just shared by the player alone but also the fans of the L A Galaxy. Donovan’s comments though not disparaging were critical of Beckham as a teammate , a leader , someone who was also lacking in character but above all something of a narcissist. A great many words that succinctly describe a player who in many respects is no longer the highly skilled player he once was.

Ronaldinho (80) and Beckham (#23) Serie' A teammates share a brief congratulatory moment during the firendly game played between the L A Galaxy and A C Milan at the Home Depot Center in Carson , California. picture appears courtesy of getty images/ Kevork Djansezian ................

And the situation may have been further exacerbated with the reluctance of the player to initially return to the team after his stint with the top Italian soccer club A C Milan . The tussle between the two clubs left everyone with the distinct feeling that Beckham no longer wanted to return to play competitive soccer in the United States. Much less honor the multi-million dollar contract that he’d signed with the MLS team. Whilst Beckham tries to exude that illusion of team camaraderie , it is clear that in terms of the word team as long as the ‘Beckham brand ‘ is front and center there for everyone to see . The word ‘team’ doesn’t at all srtictly apply to him. He may well exude that in the public and media interviews that he conducts. But then on appearance it is merely being done to legitmize the Beckham brand and to gain the public’s empathy.

Ronaldinho of A C Milan is double teamed by the Galaxy's Landon Donovan (center ) and A J DeLaGarza during the first half of the game played between the two teams. The game would end up in a 2-2 tie at the end of 90 minutes of regulation play. picture appears courtesy of getty images/ Kevork Djansezian ................

And though the L A Galaxy fared reasonably well without the player while he was in Europe plying his trade. The fact of the matter can’t have been lost on the owners of the Galaxy in not having Beckham as their primary sales and marketing tool. It has led to a sizeable loss in revenues, as well as support for the team within its own market. And the team’s standing within the MLS Western Conference has been proving to be something of a disappointment. The team sits in fourth place entrenched behind the Houston Dynamo in first place, followed by the Seattle Sounders and Chivas USA.

Though the season hasn’t been a complete loss for the team . It is extremely hard to envisage how they will be able to make concerted effort to right an already unstable ship , in terms of their already tenuous situation. With Beckham now seemingly back into the fold . There’s no clear way to guage and assess how his teammates might feel. Albeit that Donovan , himself , has tried to recant some of the statements that’ll be part of an upcoming book about Beckham’s first season experiences with the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Beckham is substituted in the second half of the mid season friendly played against Italy's A C Milan at the Home Depot Center in Carson , California. It was very much a partisan crowd in attendance for the game. And many of those fans in attendance showed their disdain for David Beckham throughout much of the game. picture appears courtesy of getty images/ Kevork Djansezian ...................

The expose’ will give the public an inside look at Beckham and his teammates and explain his initial foray into the MLS market with the team. It will be seering in its analysis and is said to not pull any punches in the areas that matter most concerning the player and his teammates. If Landon Donovan’s initial statements are indeed anything to to by. Then this will indeed will be warranted in terms of a good read. But then again one might find the same type of tawdry details in any type of steamy romantic novel or even perhaps in a tabloid magazine. As it’s been often been said ‘…… any type of publicity be it good, bad or indifferent is still publicity worth having’. Otherwise how else are they going to get to know you , warts and all ?

As to the Galaxy’s postseason ambitions. They may well now rest with the possible momentum that the team can maintain over the remainder of the regular season. If they’re indeed then able to attain a postseason berth for the playoffs. Failure to do so and there will be a great deal of recriminations and allegations made as to what went wrong . And very much the reasons why. And n o doubt there’ll be fingers directly pointed at David Beckham , merely because of the player’s lack of effort and the very fact of his reluctancy to play and also to honor his original contract with the club.