T.O.: Vick has been punished enough
PITTSFORD — Buffalo Bills receiver Terrell Owens thinks any further punishment of quarterback Michael Vick is unjustified.
Vick, former star quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons, just completed a 23-month federal prison sentence and home confinement stemming from his role in an illegal dogfighting ring.
ESPN has reported that Vick is likely to receive a conditional reinstatement from the NFL that will include a four-game suspension to start this season. The league has stated that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has not made a decision on the matter.
Owens, asked about the prospect of an additional suspension, said Vick already has been punished enough.
"I think it's unfortunate," Owens said. "I think the way the commissioner has handled it, I think is unfair to Michael Vick. I think he's done the time for what he's done. I don't think it's really fair for him to be suspended four more games. That's almost like kicking a dead horse in the ground.
"I think a lot of guys around the league need to speak up. I think the players union needs to step in. The guy's already suffered so much. To add a four-game suspension on a two-year prison sentence, I mean that's ridiculous."
Owens was asked if he thought Vick would get another chance from some team.
"Why shouldn't he?" Owens said. "There is a number of guys around the league that have done far more worse things than that and got second chances. So I don't see why it should be."
Owens was not lobbying for the Bills to claim Vick: "Well, that's not for me to decide," he said.
However, he said any NFL player should be willing to have Vick as a teammate.
"Why not?" Owens said. "Michael Vick is a guy who really hasn't had any character issues besides [the one] that he got a prison sentence for, so why not?"
Many Bills players are in agreement with Owens that Vick should be allowed to play this season. Safety Bryan Scott played with Vick in Atlanta from 2003 to '05.
"No question, I want Mike to land somewhere," Scott said. "I want that for him really badly. I don't condone anything that he did. On the other hand I think everyone deserves a second chance. So I wish him the best of luck."
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