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More Controversy for Falcons

by Warren McCarty
March 7, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Georgia Force


Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank may just want to forget the past 12 months. First, he had to deal with the Michael Vick debacle and the incarceration of the face of his franchise. That was followed by a miserable on-field performance by his football team, which preceded the peculiar circumstances around Head Coach Bobby Petrino's abrupt exit before the conclusion of the 2007 campaign. When it came time for the AFL to kick off its 22nd season last week, Blank probably was looking forward to watching his Georgia Force franchise play exciting football indoors, surrounded by rabid fans, loud music, and the chance to take a mental vacation from the high-stakes pressure of the NFL.

Perhaps Mr. Blank shouldn't pop the top on that cold beverage just yet. Although he probably didn't count on having to endure yet another negative controversy, he's got one on his hands, this time surrounding his AFL franchise. On Wednesday, Blank's Georgia Force signed veteran free-agent Wide Receiver Willis Marshall to a contract. That just happens to be the same Willis Marshall that led Southfield, MI police on a wild foot-chase through the snow in a residential neighborhood on January 3rd.

The bizarre story began when the Oakland County Sheriff's Department issued a bench warrant for Marshall after he failed to show for a Child Support hearing at the Family Court of Oakland County. Marshall, who lives in Colorado during the AFL off-season, owes over $100,000 in back child support, and had allegedly been eluding law enforcement officials for awhile. Officers received a tip that Marshall was at his parents' home in Southfield. According to the police report, officers were told that Marshall wasn't in the home, despite their observations to the contrary. A man matching Marshall's description came to the door dressed in light clothing and socks, and denied being Marshall. He then slammed the door shut and exited through the back of the residence, without shoes. Officers chased Marshall an estimated 200 yards through the neighborhood before losing sight of him. They eventually apprehended Marshall after a resident on Parsons Street in Southfield found Marshall hiding in a storage shed in their backyard.

Marshall was arraigned and then released from custody after posting a $5000 bond on January 4th. Once a court date has been set, Marshall will be set to appear before Family Court of Oakland County Judge Elizabeth Pezzetti.

Jim Kubiak, the Force's Director of Football Operations, and Brian Cearns, the Force's Director of Football Communications, both declined to respond to an email inquiry on the signing of Marshall.

Despite his imitation of a fugitive on an episode of ‘America's Most Wanted', Willis Marshall isn't exactly a household name. He's never been a 1,000 yard receiver during his seven year AFL career, but the receiver from Youngstown State has been productive on both sides of the ball. He was named the Offensive Player of the Game and the Iron Man of the Game at the 2005 ArenaBowl. He has accumulated 5,800 yards receiving with 83 touchdowns, along with 159 tackles and 4 interceptions defensively, while playing for four different AFL teams.

Blank's AFL franchise has been wildly successful since he purchased the team in the summer of 2004. In the past three seasons, the Force have gone 33-15 in the regular season, including 2 Division Championships, 3 consecutive playoff births, and an appearance in the 2005 ArenaBowl. They share facilities and resources with the Atlanta Falcons, and thus the Force coaching staff has the ability to tap into the organization's vast database of players. Considering the dark cloud that continues to hover over Falcons/Force headquarters in Flowery Branch, the signing of a player like Marshall seems to indicate questionable judgment on the part of the Force staff. Especially after the organization's statements regarding the conduct of Michael Vick were issued to the public.

In a press release on the Falcons website issued in July of last year regarding Michael Vick's indictment, a spokesman stated:

"We are disappointed that one of our players - and therefore the Falcons - is being presented to the public in a negative way, and we apologize to our fans and the community for that."

In August of 2007, Blank himself issued a press release following the suspension of Vick.

"We respect and support the Commissioner's decision today to place Michael Vick on an indefinite suspension. As with other actions he has taken this year, the Commissioner is making a strong statement that conduct which tarnishes the good reputation of the NFL will not be tolerated."

After reading those statements, one would be safe to assume that those were issued to make a clear indication of Blank's intentions to run a clean ship, and that criminal behavior wouldn't be tolerated within the organization. Thus, it would seem foolish for anyone in the Force organization to risk the signing of a 5'9, 32-year old receiver who recently made the headlines in such a negative way. The Force coaching staff clearly has access to younger and bigger receivers without criminal histories and more upside.

The looming question is why? Why, after the Michael Vick fiasco, would the Force (under the umbrella of the Falcons organization) open themselves up to criticism by signing Marshall? Why sign this guy, knowing about the baggage that he brings?

Nobody with the Force is talking.

Perhaps they will once Arthur Blank asks those same questions.

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The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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