The classiest college athlete, has managed to do the unthinkable. He’s got Virginia Tech actually contemplating discipline for on-field thuggery.
* He can renounce his final year of eligibility and turn pro, something Vick said he wouldn’t do in an interview before the Gator Bowl. He would need to declare his intentions to turn pro by Jan. 15
* He can transfer to a Division I-AA school for the final year of his eligibility. He would be immediately eligible.
* He can accept a suspension — likely only one game but maybe more — at the start of next season with the understanding that one more on-field or off-field incident would result in dismissal from the team.
Two of the sources said Vick may even be required to sit out spring practice, though that hasn’t been determined.
My guess, is that next year it will be one more thing he will refuse to discuss in interviews. Along with marijuana, his fun with minors, and reckless driving.
UPDATE: It’s not looking good for Vick the Younger.
Virginia Tech has announced a press for 11 a.m. Saturday in Blacksburg to discuss the Gator Bowl incident involving Marcus Vick.
Television cameras caught Vick stomping on the left calf of Louisville defender Elvis Dumervil during the Hokies’ victory Monday.
A press release states that University President Charles Steger, Athletic Director Jim Weaver and Coach Frank Beamer will take part in the session.
Note, that Marcus isn’t included in the list of participants. Add in his previously unreported arrest on December 17 for speeding. Well, no, he wasn’t arrested for speeding. He was pulled over for it, then arrested for driving with a suspended license — stemming from his previous arrest for reckless driving and marijuana possession. The story goes, of course, that he didn’t tell anyone on the VT coaching staff about it.
New ACC Slogan: The ACC, now even more like the SEC.
UPDATE 2: It’s over for Vick. He’s been dismissed. Beamer seems, shall we say, ambiguous about the outcome.
Said Coach Frank Beamer, “I’m very disappointed that this didn’t have a better ending. We wanted what’s best for this football team and Marcus. I certainly wish him the best.”
Roughly translated: We still needed his talent. It wasn’t my call.
Arguably, VT had no choice after previously saying that anything else would end Marcus Vick’s time at VT. Still, this took a certain level of stones considering his brother Michael is probably the most famous alum — not to mention a very generous donor.
I’ll give some props to VPI for jettisoning the baggage. At the very least, they’ve shown themselves to be above Florida State.
