In August 2007, Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said that he’d “never” allow someone who was involved in dogfighting to play for the Eagles.
“Never” came Thursday.
“We’re very disciplined in what we stand for,” Lurie told reporters just over two years ago (via MDS of FanHouse, via an e-mail from a reader reminding us of the item). “Let me give you an example -- a few years ago we had a couple players who were . . . to put this nicely, not very respectful of their dogs. . . . Well, we don’t respect that. We don’t do that. And they were gone from the team almost immediately if not immediately. That sets a tone, that these kinds of attitudes are unacceptable.”
Lurie reportedly was referring to former Eagles players Damon Moore and Thomas Hamner, who were charged with animal cruelty in 2001.
So what has caused Lurie to change his mind, and to embrace Vick without knowing whether the can still play like he did before his 30-month absence from the game?
At this point, it’s anyone’s guess. But we’ve got a feeling that Commissioner Roger Goodell was a lot more involved in encouraging team(s) to take a chance on Vick. Thus, regardless of how this thing works out in Philly, the league office now owes Lurie and the Eagles, big time.