DALLAS (AP) — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is not concerned about Michael Vick being billed as hosting a Super Bowl party because the Eagles quarterback told him it’s not true.
“He has said that on numerous occasions people have been using his name about being involved in some type of a party and he had no intention of participating in that,” Goodell said.
Speaking at his annual Super Bowl news conference on Friday, the commissioner said he’s spoken with Vick three times in the last two weeks about his plans.
“I want to make sure that he doesn’t put himself in a position where he’s going to make bad decisions or bad things can happen around him,” Goodell said. “He takes that seriously also.”
Vick spent 18 months in prison on federal charges of running a dogfighting ring. He was suspended by the commissioner, then reinstated during the 2009 season. His starring performance for Philadelphia this season makes him among the leading contenders for The Associated Press’ NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award, to be announced Saturday night.
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“I’m extremely proud of what Michael has done,” Goodell said. “He’s taken his responsibilities serious, he’s made a commitment to himself to make better decisions. He is committed to doing the right thing going forward and I think that’s a great thing.
“We’re looking for success stories,” he added. “We’re not looking for players to fail. This is a young man who made horrific mistakes. He dealt with them, he paid a very significant price, and now he’s doing the right thing and I support him on that.”
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.
