I have always been one to believe that first impressions are not always accurate, that people make mistakes and deserve forgiveness. I think even in some extreme circumstances people who make amends, show their sorry and try to change deserve a second chance. If you screwed up at work, said the wrong thing to your significant other, if you had a horrible day and treated someone else poorly as a lash out result.... But if you train and fight Pittbull's then bury the dead carcasses of the innocent in your backyard while you're a multi-million dollar successful superstar.... you DO NOT deserve a second chance! Especially not in my city!
Now of course I am talking about the Eagles recent signing of Michael Vick, granted this is not a photography or fashion oriented post, but it is about Philadelphia, it's about respect, and it's about the impression the Philadelphia Eagles (and their fans) subsequently portray to the world. This city is highly centered around it's sports teams and they've always been a source of extreme pride, even when they're losing we stand by them, we support them, we reminiscence about the good times and we look forward to the next parade.
Last year I witnessed one of these parades. The Phillies won the pennant and the whole city came together in a flash instant. I watched Frankford Ave and Cottman Ave explode into a feeling of pure unfiltered bliss. I watched a 19 year old preppy drunk white mall girl run up to a guy who looked a lot like Notorious B.I.G. and high five him in the street as his "gangsta stare" gave way to a little smile. I watched the old, young, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Jewish, Muslim all pour into the streets to celebrate a common source of pride, the Philadelphia Phillie's.
We thought ahead after that night... Could the Flyers, Sixers or Eagles be next? We dreamed big and watched as eventually the other side of the state reminded us that they have talent in Pittsburgh too, some of us even celebrated the Stealers and Penguins winning, just because it was still Pennsylvania... That's pride.
Then yesterday our beloved Eagles betrayed us. I never thought they could really do anything to make me hate them. I never thought our fan-dome would waiver, I mean when they sucked on the field we complained, but we loved them. But Family comes first in this city. My dog is part of my family, and I know most of Philadelphia feels the same way. I am not sure of the numbers but just walking around with your eyes open shows you how many people here have and love their dog. Pittbull's are extremely plentiful as well. This is a city that has Doggy day care's, doggy spa's, upscale doggy treat boutique's, Eagles Jersey's for dogs....
How dare you sign that man Eagles. Signing him wasn't just controversial, it wasn't about giving someone a second chance, it was backstabbing all your fans, the people that loved and supported you and condoning his behavior. Some people deserve a second chance, some deserve life in prison. Michael Vick is the latter. Even if he deserves a chance to try and live amongst society (which I don't feel he does), he SURELY does not deserve to do it in the upper tax bracket's as a celebrity athlete.
Or maybe I am wrong... Maybe this IS the punishment... I mean the Philadelphia fans are known to be the toughest, craziest, most psychotic in the world... The people that through batteries at Santa Clause, the fans that beat up the Buffalo Sabre's.... maybe just maybe the whole
point of bringing him here was to have our fans
rip him to shreds... I guess that's worth the price of that contract. I'm curious to see how this unfolds... To see how many Pittbulls show up in the Link' parking lot... I personally don't know what the Eagles are thinking but Michael Vick in Philadelphia is unacceptable and embarrassing. My pride in the city is not tarnished, but my love for the Eagles is absolutely damaged forever. I do NOT care if you win the Superbowl. I wont be at that parade.
Let's go Flyers.
Jeff Cohn
Fashionandadvertising.com
JeffCohnPhoto.com
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