Arthur Blank, the Atlanta Falcons owner, dropped by ESPN's Monday Night Football booth during the New Orleans Saints-Falcons game Monday to discuss Michael Vick. In talking about whether Vick might return to the team, Blank noted potential complications, including whether the jailed Vick might get out of shape in prison by eating too much "fried chicken and fries." Although linking fried chicken and African-Americans can be seen as stereotypical thinking, the MNF announcers didn't mention that. ESPN's Mike Soltys said Tuesday, "We understand why the question could be raised. But the person to address the substance is Arthur Blank, and he has." Blank addressed it in a statement from spokesman Reggie Roberts, who says Blank "does not need defending," has an "impeccable" record and was just saying Vick "wouldn't be the same" player if he eats "bad foods" — and "for anyone to make this a racial issue is misguided, shortsighted and preposterous."
-- USA Today
NFL Network games will get air time in the sky - USATODAY.com
12-12-2007, 03:50 PM
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