Tests of Vick water bottle could take months
Falcons QB probed in Miami airport incident
By STEVE WYCHE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 01/18/07
Falcons quarterback Michael Vick could be deep in the two-a-days of summer camp before there is any word about what was in the water bottle confiscated from him at Miami International Airport on Wednesday.
The bottle contained a secret compartment that allegedly held "a dark particulate," according to the police report. It said the substance smelled like marijuana.
The bottle was taken to the Miami-Dade Police Department crime lab. Police spokesman Robert Williams said Thursday it could take months before it is analyzed.
"In the big scheme of things, as far as MDPD is concerned, that's not a major case," Williams said. "We have homicides and sexual batteries and other things that are probably going to take precedence, so that's going to be months down the road."
The Falcons are aware of the incident involving their star player, who is playing under an NFL-high $130 million contract.
"We understand there have been reports of an alleged incident involving Michael Vick that took place earlier [Wednesday] at Miami International Airport. We plan to look into this matter and discuss it further with Michael before having any further comment," Reggie Roberts, the Falcons' vice president of football communications said late Wednesday night.
Vick was not arrested and caught his morning flight to Atlanta, where he spent part of the day at the team's Flowery Branch headquarters. He was scheduled to meet new coach Bobby Petrino for the first time, but it was cancelled because Petrino had another appointment. Vick did speak with some members of the coaching staff.
The Falcons were unaware of the airport incident until late Wednesday night, Roberts said.
Vick could not be reached for comment.
According to the police report, Vick drew suspicion when he refused to part with a bottle of water at a security-screening checkpoint. Bottled liquids of more than 3 ounces have been prohibited at most U.S. airports for months for security reasons.
Vick eventually threw the bottle in a waste container but his initial reluctance caused TSA official Gertrude Joseph to examine the bottle, described as a 20-ounce Aquafina bottle. Joseph then notified her supervisor of a hidden compartment in the bottle.
Fellow TSA screeners said they saw Vick throw the bottle into the container, which surveillance cameras confirmed, according to the police report.
"The top half contained a small amount of clear liquid. When held upright the bottle appeared to be half full of water," according to the police report.
If Vick is found to be involved in any wrongdoing, he could face legal repercussions as well as discipline from the NFL.
League spokesman Greg Aiello said that the NFL was not aware of the incident at Miami International Airport involving Vick as of Wednesday night, so there would be no comment from the league office at that time.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has taken a very harsh stance against negative off-field behavior and explained his position regarding the league's image to Falcons players after a practice he attended late this season.
Vick was fined $10,000 by the NFL and agreed to donate an additional $10,000 to charity after making an obscene gesture toward fans at the Georgia Dome following a 31-13 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Nov. 26.
This incident could bring further scrutiny on the Falcons' most scrutinized player, who last season threw for a career-high 20 touchdowns and became the first NFL quarterback to rush for more than 1,000 yards but also failed to get the Falcons, who finished 7-9, to the playoffs for the second straight season.
The Falcons have remained committed to Vick, with team president and general manager Rich McKay saying Wednesday morning that Vick is the team's starting quarterback, despite speculation that backup Matt Schaub could compete for the job.
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Falcons QB probed in Miami airport incident
By STEVE WYCHE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 01/18/07
Falcons quarterback Michael Vick could be deep in the two-a-days of summer camp before there is any word about what was in the water bottle confiscated from him at Miami International Airport on Wednesday.
The bottle contained a secret compartment that allegedly held "a dark particulate," according to the police report. It said the substance smelled like marijuana.
The bottle was taken to the Miami-Dade Police Department crime lab. Police spokesman Robert Williams said Thursday it could take months before it is analyzed.
"In the big scheme of things, as far as MDPD is concerned, that's not a major case," Williams said. "We have homicides and sexual batteries and other things that are probably going to take precedence, so that's going to be months down the road."
The Falcons are aware of the incident involving their star player, who is playing under an NFL-high $130 million contract.
"We understand there have been reports of an alleged incident involving Michael Vick that took place earlier [Wednesday] at Miami International Airport. We plan to look into this matter and discuss it further with Michael before having any further comment," Reggie Roberts, the Falcons' vice president of football communications said late Wednesday night.
Vick was not arrested and caught his morning flight to Atlanta, where he spent part of the day at the team's Flowery Branch headquarters. He was scheduled to meet new coach Bobby Petrino for the first time, but it was cancelled because Petrino had another appointment. Vick did speak with some members of the coaching staff.
The Falcons were unaware of the airport incident until late Wednesday night, Roberts said.
Vick could not be reached for comment.
According to the police report, Vick drew suspicion when he refused to part with a bottle of water at a security-screening checkpoint. Bottled liquids of more than 3 ounces have been prohibited at most U.S. airports for months for security reasons.
Vick eventually threw the bottle in a waste container but his initial reluctance caused TSA official Gertrude Joseph to examine the bottle, described as a 20-ounce Aquafina bottle. Joseph then notified her supervisor of a hidden compartment in the bottle.
Fellow TSA screeners said they saw Vick throw the bottle into the container, which surveillance cameras confirmed, according to the police report.
"The top half contained a small amount of clear liquid. When held upright the bottle appeared to be half full of water," according to the police report.
If Vick is found to be involved in any wrongdoing, he could face legal repercussions as well as discipline from the NFL.
League spokesman Greg Aiello said that the NFL was not aware of the incident at Miami International Airport involving Vick as of Wednesday night, so there would be no comment from the league office at that time.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has taken a very harsh stance against negative off-field behavior and explained his position regarding the league's image to Falcons players after a practice he attended late this season.
Vick was fined $10,000 by the NFL and agreed to donate an additional $10,000 to charity after making an obscene gesture toward fans at the Georgia Dome following a 31-13 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Nov. 26.
This incident could bring further scrutiny on the Falcons' most scrutinized player, who last season threw for a career-high 20 touchdowns and became the first NFL quarterback to rush for more than 1,000 yards but also failed to get the Falcons, who finished 7-9, to the playoffs for the second straight season.
The Falcons have remained committed to Vick, with team president and general manager Rich McKay saying Wednesday morning that Vick is the team's starting quarterback, despite speculation that backup Matt Schaub could compete for the job.
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