Restaurant open, but Vick not
By STEVE WYCHE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 03/15/07
Falcons quarterback Michael Vick said he will speak about his infamous postseason water-bottle incident at Miami International Airport sometime soon, but a special media gathering at his new restaurant in East Point on Wednesday was not the place. Nor was it the time.
Vick, in his first public appearance since Atlanta's season-ending loss to Philadelphia on Dec. 31, declined to answer a question from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution about being investigated for trying to carry a gimmick water bottle through a security checkpoint at the airport.
His side of the incident, which drew a rebuke from team leadership, is forthcoming, Vick said. For now, though, he acknowledged he was trying to change perceptions about him, with his first business venture in metro Atlanta after six NFL seasons being a start.
"Maybe this will offset some of that attention I've been getting, whether positive or negative," Vick said while sitting in a crowded wine-tasting area at The Tasting Room, the restaurant of which he is the main shareholder of three investors. "It's good for people to see that I'm giving back to the community, where people can see me trying to do something that's positive. There's a lot of people speculating about things I do that are not so positive."
Despite being one of the most recognized players in the NFL, Vick has drawn criticism for not building much of a bridge to the local populace, criticism that grew louder last season when he made an obscene gesture to fans following a loss to the New Orleans Saints at the Georgia Dome.
The negative attention grew worse in January when police reported that Vick tried to carry a water bottle with a secret compartment ? containing a "dark particulant" that police said smelled like marijuana ? through a security stop at Miami airport. He was never charged, and police later said no drugs were in the bottle, but the public backlash was stinging.
Owner Arthur Blank, new coach Bobby Petrino and president Rich McKay, while not pleased with the airport incident, have voiced their support for Vick. They have said they are optimistic that Vick has learned to stay out of the news for reasons other than football and community-based ventures.
Opening this restaurant and an adjoining wine store with business partners Earnest Greer and Frank Jenkins, in an area Vick deemed as "underserved," is part of a plan to establish a better relationship with the local community. Four similar restaurants are planned in different parts of the metro area, as are a handful of more civic enterprises, Vick said.
"I'm looking to expand and take it to a different level," Vick said. "This is my seventh year in the league, I'm growing older, and I need to take some things in a new direction.
"I can't play football forever. I'm going to have to become an entrepreneur and make my money grow. This is a step in a different direction. I'm trying to do some things differently."
.................................................................
Opening a business, trying to make money is not giving back to the fawking community.
Wine seems to be a hot commodity though. Especially wine tasting rooms in rough neighborhoods.
Geez Louise , it never ends.
Hope he is aleady reading his new playbook. Take him a few months to get through it once.
By STEVE WYCHE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 03/15/07
Falcons quarterback Michael Vick said he will speak about his infamous postseason water-bottle incident at Miami International Airport sometime soon, but a special media gathering at his new restaurant in East Point on Wednesday was not the place. Nor was it the time.
Vick, in his first public appearance since Atlanta's season-ending loss to Philadelphia on Dec. 31, declined to answer a question from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution about being investigated for trying to carry a gimmick water bottle through a security checkpoint at the airport.
His side of the incident, which drew a rebuke from team leadership, is forthcoming, Vick said. For now, though, he acknowledged he was trying to change perceptions about him, with his first business venture in metro Atlanta after six NFL seasons being a start.
"Maybe this will offset some of that attention I've been getting, whether positive or negative," Vick said while sitting in a crowded wine-tasting area at The Tasting Room, the restaurant of which he is the main shareholder of three investors. "It's good for people to see that I'm giving back to the community, where people can see me trying to do something that's positive. There's a lot of people speculating about things I do that are not so positive."
Despite being one of the most recognized players in the NFL, Vick has drawn criticism for not building much of a bridge to the local populace, criticism that grew louder last season when he made an obscene gesture to fans following a loss to the New Orleans Saints at the Georgia Dome.
The negative attention grew worse in January when police reported that Vick tried to carry a water bottle with a secret compartment ? containing a "dark particulant" that police said smelled like marijuana ? through a security stop at Miami airport. He was never charged, and police later said no drugs were in the bottle, but the public backlash was stinging.
Owner Arthur Blank, new coach Bobby Petrino and president Rich McKay, while not pleased with the airport incident, have voiced their support for Vick. They have said they are optimistic that Vick has learned to stay out of the news for reasons other than football and community-based ventures.
Opening this restaurant and an adjoining wine store with business partners Earnest Greer and Frank Jenkins, in an area Vick deemed as "underserved," is part of a plan to establish a better relationship with the local community. Four similar restaurants are planned in different parts of the metro area, as are a handful of more civic enterprises, Vick said.
"I'm looking to expand and take it to a different level," Vick said. "This is my seventh year in the league, I'm growing older, and I need to take some things in a new direction.
"I can't play football forever. I'm going to have to become an entrepreneur and make my money grow. This is a step in a different direction. I'm trying to do some things differently."
.................................................................
Opening a business, trying to make money is not giving back to the fawking community.
Wine seems to be a hot commodity though. Especially wine tasting rooms in rough neighborhoods.
Geez Louise , it never ends.
Hope he is aleady reading his new playbook. Take him a few months to get through it once.
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