vick-eagles-practice

One thing I’ve always tried to remain in life was loyal. Loyal to my friends, loyal to my family and loyal to my favorite sports teams/players. Which is exactly why I’ve had mixed feelings on Mike Vick’s signing. Don’t get me wrong, I happen to be MORE than thrilled Vick’s getting a second shot at what he loves to do. Seeing as how his family and friends would go to the same barbershop I did while in Hampton, Va., I’ve got my own feelings on the entire ordeal. To make a long story short, dude was given a raw deal by people closest to him. But that’s enough of that introspective shit.

My problem is with the sudden emergence of a new wave of Eagles “fans.” The moment the trade went down I received three phone calls from friends, who shall remain nameless. Here’s what each three said, followed by my beef with their statements.

Phone call #1: “Yo, Tins. I know you see my Eagles signed Vick. That pretty much sums it up. Eagles are Superbowl bound and Dallas will suck like always.”

– Ok. You want to throw the Dallas shots in my direction? Fine. I’ve dealt with that for years. What I don’t understand is how they are suddenly “your Eagles.” Just last year you claimed to be a lifelong Cardinals fan. Right. And those pedophiles on “To Catch A Predator” are telling the truth when they say it’s their “first time doing anything like this.”

Phone call #2: “C’mon man. You know I support Philly sports. A.I. played for the Sixers, so I have the right to say I’m an Eagles fan.”

– Iverson hasn’t played for the Sixers in years and I haven’t heard you mention Philly since Sigel’s last album.

Phone call #3: “I am not a bandwagon fan. Check my credentials.”

– I did and you honestly thought the Eagles had won a Superbowl within the past twenty-five years. On top of that, you “forgot” Randall Cunningham suited up for them.

Get my point now?

While I may hate every other team in the NFC with an extreme passion, I do respect the true fans, mainly because they are a dying breed in these times of free agency and YouTube. Also, being a fan of Vick personally is fine. But it really grinds my gears when people attempt to portray themselves as “lifelong fans” when they’re about as authentic as a seven dollar bill.

And if you took offense to this, chances are you’re one of ‘em.