honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted at 1:28 p.m., Wednesday, August 29, 2007

NFL: Poll shows that fans don't want Vick back in NFL

Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Michael Vick should not be allowed to play in the National Football League again, most professional football fans said in a poll that underscored how far the celebrity quarterback's star has fallen.

In addition, an overwhelming majority of fans want him to serve prison time now that he has pleaded guilty to a federal dogfighting charge, according to the Gallup Poll released today. Few would want to him to play for their favorite team should he return to the sport.

The NFL indefinitely suspended the Atlanta Falcons star after he filed a written plea agreement in court on Friday. In a public apology Monday, he said he now rejected dogfighting and had not been honest about the episode.

The poll was conducted after widespread news reports that he would plead guilty in the case.

According to the survey, 58 percent said he should not be allowed to play in the NFL anymore. Only 22 percent said they would want the team they root for to try to acquire him should he return.

In addition, 35 percent said they believe he should serve a long prison sentence, 51 percent said they favored a short one, and 12 percent said they believe he should not serve any time.

Vick's sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 10. The federal sentencing guideline range is projected at a year to 18 months, but the judge can impose up to a maximum of five years.

The survey involved telephone interviews with 1,001 adults from Aug. 23 to 26. The overall margin of sampling error was plus or minus four percentage points. The organization did not immediately provide the margin of sampling error for the 520 pro football fans questioned.

On the Net:

The Gallup Poll: http://www.galluppoll.com