Firebirds Look to Sign Michael Vick
Published on April 28, 2009 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Albany Firebirds News Release
ALBANY, NY - The Albany Firebirds announced today that they have offered former NFL quarterback Michael Vick a contract for the remainder of the 2009 season. The arenafootball2 franchise has sent Vick's agent an incentive-leaden, one-year offer that would go into effect as soon as the 28 year-old quarterback is reinstated by the National Football League.
"At the start of the season we'd made the decision as an organization not to pursue Michael," said General Manager Garen Szablewski. "However, in light of the team's recent struggles, we were forced to re-examine the issue. After days of heated debate within the front office, we put together an offer that made everyone comfortable with the idea of singing him."
The most notable stipulation in the team's offer requires Vick to donate $100,000 to the Mohawk & Hudson River Humane Society.
The aF2 prohibits member teams from signing players who are currently under NFL suspension, but the Firebirds hope that the contract offer will expedite NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's decision.
Vick, 28, enjoyed a six-year professional career as a quarterback with the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. The 6'0" 215 lb signal-caller has 11,505 career passing yards and 71 passing touchdowns, along with 3,859 career-rushing yards and 21 rushing touchdowns. Vick was placed on suspension by the NFL in August, 2007 after pleading guilty to a federal felony charge involving an illegal interstate dog fighting business which became known as "Bad Newz Kennels."
The Mohawk & Hudson River Humane Society (MHRHS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that has been providing shelter for lost, abused and unwanted animals since 1887. Their animal care facility is the largest in the Capital Region, receiving an average of over 7,000 animals per year. MHRHS receives not just common household pets like cats, dogs, rabbits and hamsters, but also snakes, birds, iguanas, fish, horses, livestock and even llamas. To carry out their work, MHRHS receives no ongoing funding from federal, state or local governments or any other animal welfare organization. They rely on your generous donations to support their vital services for the animals.
Albany will finish their two-game homestand on Saturday, May 2nd at 7:00 p.m. against the Mahoning Valley Thunder at the Times Union Center. Partial season ticket packages and single game tickets are now on sale; for more information please contact the Firebirds at (518) 487-2244 or online at www.albanyfirebirds.com.
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