Defending Michael Vick’s “Dynasty” Statements

It seems like in our 24/7 media culture we look so ardently for athletes and celebrities to say the wrong thing that we tend to add negative context and meaning to anything they say. Michael Vick is a lightning rod for these kinds of statements and his recent “dynasty” remarks are no different. Here’s what he said,

"When I look at our football team and what we have on paper, I think about when I was growing up and the great San Francisco 49er teams, the great Green Bay Packer teams, and the great Dallas Cowboy teams, how they just positioned themselves to compete and be one of the best teams out there. I think we have a chance to be that. I think we have a chance to develop a dynasty."

What in the world is wrong with these statements? Vick wants to be great, he thinks he has a great team, and he thinks they have the potential to do something special. Isn’t this the belief every quarterback should have in their team and what every kid growing up playing football dreams of doing? I don’t understand what the problem is here.

CBS Sports

Michael Vick being questioned after his "dynasty" statements

This hasn’t stopped all the talking heads from picking on Vick saying this is exactly what’s wrong with him and the Eagles. Somehow these statements have been interpreted as Vick being immature and unfocused towards this season. This is an absolutely crazy way of interpreting what Vick said and just because someone might think these things about Vick, this one quote does not prove that.

The narrative about the Eagles season last year is that they struggled to handle the pressure handed down on them by the media from Vince Young’s “dream team” comments. The idea of this Vick “dynasty” quote adding more pressure to the Eagles this year is just more of this media hubris. This isn’t analyzing what the Eagles are doing in their training camp or really anything about football at all. The Eagles struggled last year because of some crappy luck, adjusting to a new defense, and Michael Vick not staying healthy and playing erratically when he was. The idea of crumbling under the “dream team” pressure is simply ridiculous when there were real reasons the team struggled.

I can’t believe I’ve defended the Eagles, Michael Vick, and Penn State in the same day, but some days are just weird. Vick speaking about dynasties isn’t the most appropriate thing he’s ever said but I love when my quarterback has confidence in his system and team. He expects great things from himself and his team and if you think there is something wrong with that, you need to get your head examined.