Chairman/CEO Jeffrey Lurie showed a side of himself on Friday that has been rarely seen during his 15-year tenure at the owner of the Philadelphia Eagles. Lurie was candid and introspective on an issue that evidently was very difficult for him. Lurie had to make the ultimate decision as to whether the Eagles should pursue and eventually sign quarterback Michael Vick. Out of football since 2006, Vick was sentenced to 23 months in jail in 2007 for his role in a dogfighting operation.
"I think often times when you operate a sports team you have to make unpopular and counterintuitive decisions. Some of the best decisions that have been made have been the ones that have been the most unpopular. I'm very respectful of the talent on the field and also the character of the players we have. If I thought for one instance that this player would be disruptive or unable to be a good teammate and not become a role model, then there's no way I would have allowed this to happen," Lurie said.
"If it becomes at all apparent that we are wrong, it won't take very long to make that change. I've often said that we are full pedal to the metal and when Coach Reid said this man can give us a dimension that we don't have and add another weapon to our offense in unpredictable ways, in partnership with the players that we have and the quarterback we have, then again, a soul-searching tough decision but something that we think can improve the team and at the same time create social change."
-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 6:54 p.m., August 14
