On this page I will have all information on sports events from Nazareth High School and all other sports events in the country. I will also have news about myself and other people.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
MICHAEL VICK JERSEYS AT LEHIGH VALLEY MALL
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With purpose, Doug Finley strode toward the display of T-shirts, hesitating only long enough to find his size -- large -- before heading toward the cash register.
His midday Modell's Sporting Goods purchase had on the back the name of the newest Philadelphia Eagle: Vick. As in Michael Vick, the Atlanta Falcons quarterback until he was sent to federal prison for 18 months for running a dogfighting ring.
Was Finley, who picked up the $19.99 black cotton shirt with such fervor Monday, as big a Vick fan as he appeared?
''I am now,'' said Finley, who thanked the Eagles organization for giving Vick a second chance. ''I watched the '60 Minutes' [interview] last night and he did a fantastic job. He seemed sincere.''
Finley, of Allentown, was one of the first shoppers to pick up the merchandise. The $79.99 green and white jerseys and the $14.99 and $19.99 black T-shirts arrived over the weekend, just days after the controversial sports figure joined the Eagles, stunning fans and foes alike.
Both could be found in the Lehigh Valley Mall store as shoppers stopped to admire, scowl at and, in some cases, buy the Vick jerseys and shirts.
Modell's is an early carrier of Vick's jersey, though they're also available online at sportsauthority.com. Dick's Sporting Goods' corporate office made the decision for now not to carry Vick jerseys, according to a customer service representative.
Judy Hagen of Bethlehem knew Modell's had started carrying the jersey, and she wanted to surprise her husband with one.
''He feels as though he served his time and paid his dues,'' said Hagen, searching for her husband's size. ''He thinks he's the best quarterback in the league.''
But Hagen left empty-handed: no more mediums.
Loaded down with Eagles gear were Slatington residents Lauren Haberern and her mom, who carried pajama pants, a T-shirt, a green plastic football and a sweatshirt.
None bore Vick's name, nor did the mother-daughter go near the rack.
''I personally don't like it because he was helping fund the dog killers. I don't think they should have added him,'' said Haberern, 14. ''I think it sends the wrong message. You can do something like that and you'll get rewarded.''
On his way into the store, Shawn Singleton appraised the jersey, though not with thoughts of buying it for himself, a Cowboys fan. If his 16-year-old daughter who's an Eagles fan wants one, he'd buy it for her, no problem.
''I love him. I'm glad he's back in the NFL. And I've got dogs,'' said Singleton, of Allentown. ''He made his mistakes, who hasn't?''
As Singleton spoke glowingly of the newest Eagle, a woman shook her head in disgust at the rack that held Vick jerseys and T-shirts and loudly proclaimed, ''I wouldn't buy one.''
With disappointment, Matt Danko noted there were no black Vick jerseys and asked a store employee if they'd be getting some. The employee wasn't sure.
No matter. Danko is buying the white jersey if the black one doesn't come in by next week, in time for his return to college.
''I'll probably catch hell for wearing it,'' said Danko, 21, of Whitehall Township.
But he's looking forward to a productive partnership between starting quarterback Donovan McNabb and Vick.
''I think it's going to be something special,'' he said. ''They're going to run the competition in circles.''
arlene.martinez@mcall.com
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