Falcons Owner & Home Depot Founder Speaks

This time last year the Atlanta Falcons organization was embroiled in what seemed to be never ending turmoil. The face of the franchise, Michael Vick, ultimately pleaded guilty to charges related to dog fighting (he is currently serving a 23-month sentence in federal prison). Then, with three games left to play, first-year head coach Bobby Petrino abruptly quit to take over at the University of Arkansas.

All the hard work of billionaire owner Arthur Blank had resulted in this. Upon purchasing the Falcons in 2002, Blank took an organization from consistently having one of the NFL's lowest attendance records to garnering a season ticket waiting list of over 90,000 requests. In what must have seemingly felt like a final knockout blow, stadium seats were empty and the waiting list virtually gone. A harsh reality for a gentleman who co-founded one of the nation's most successful companies, Home Depot, and who attributes much of his success to an inherent belief in customer satisfaction. No one could have prevented it.

After an offseason that brought in a first-time head coach and general manager, in addition to a rookie quarterback, improving on last season's 4-12 record seemed like an optimistic goal. Nine wins later and having clinched a playoff appearance, a recent headline in the Atlanta Journal Constitution read, "Falcons in Super Bowl Not So Far Fetched."

As the proud owner of the comeback team of the year, Mr. Arthur Blank spoke via phone to go "In Depth" ... Below is a brief excerpt from our NBCSports.com Q&A interview.

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Bensinger: Coming into this season, your expectations were what?

Blank: That we'd have a team that would be competitive. That was my hope and aspiration. I loved the work that Thomas Dimitroff and Coach Smith had done in the offseason with free agency and the draft. I liked the work our players had done during spring practices and then through training camp. I was probably more optimistic than most, but I obviously didn't think we'd end up in the playoffs this year. I'm thrilled for Atlanta and our organization.

Bensinger: Your reaction when you first heard the rumors about Michael Vick being linked to dog fighting.

Blank: I didn't believe it. I had no reason to believe it. Before I even spoke to Michael, people who I spoke to initially who had already spoken to Michael said he denied it. He told me and our coaching staff and a number of other people in our organization that he wasn't personally involved. Clearly, it didn't turn out that way. Then, it became shock, disappointment, and obviously a certain degree of anger as well.

Bensinger: How much communication have you had with him while he's been in jail?

Blank: He and I have written probably three or four times back and forth. I haven't seen him, but we've stayed in touch in that way. I've been supportive of the process he's going through. Hopefully, after spending a couple years in jail, he'll come out a different person. I'm hopeful that will be the case and certainly wish that for him, his family, and the National Football League.

Click Here To Read Entire NBCSports.com Interview

Graham Bensinger is an NBC Sports Correspondent. His website is www.GrahamBensinger.com. Email Graham at: [e-mail]

Comments

[mlr710]

Surely this author is giving credit for the waiting list the Falcons USED to have, to Arthur Blank....surely not. We ALL know why there was a waiting list, it had NOTHING to do with King Arthur.

[GaDove]

Vick/Ookie should never, ever be allowed to play in the NFL again. He can go get a regular job like all the other convicted felons. The NFL needs to look for decent men that can be role models, and all of them should have extensive back ground checks before they are signed to contracts. This just makes good business sense. Arthur Blank wouldn't look so stupid if he had done his homework on Vick before signing him for millions. I am sick of thugs being role models, and the NFL should ban all convicted felons for life. Any NFL team would have to be very stupid to hire Vick. Have you seen the box office take for one weekend of Marley & Me? Looks like there are millions of dog lovers, and I don't think they will ever support 'ol Ookie. Vick has never said he was sorry for the pain and suffering of his dogs that he executed or fought. He's only apologised to his family (that knew what he was doing), fans, and the NFL that he lied to over and over.

[huzzah]

I disagree. I say let him come back. If any team will take him. Do it on the condition that a substantial portion of his wages is garnished and given to the Humane Society. He won't get nearly as much as before and he's not going to get the massive endorsement deals he used to. If a team is willing to take a chance on him (and risk the backlash that would likely result) I think the league should let him play.

I like to think that people aren't beyond rehabilitation and redemption. If he can live life on the straight and narrow after he serves his time, he should be allowed back.

[mlr710]

Why should any portion of his salary be given to the Humane Society?? Hasn't the HSUS pimped the public for enough money with the bogus cries for donations for dogs that were never in their custody?

And when have wages ever been garnished for any player that was charged and convicted of crimes relating to domestic abuse?

[LoRiseAntlers]

Sorry,the Falcons aren't the comeback team of the year.

That would be the Dolphins.

[huzzah]

I disagree. Sure, Miami may have had a worse 2007 season, but it's nearly impossible to overestimate the psychological toll Vick and Petrino had on the Falcons. I mean, first you lose Vick, the guy everyone wants to see playing, for one of the worst possible reasons. Then the coach up and leaves before the season's even over? It's like your wife leaving you and then you dad kicks you in the nuts.

Parcells was already in place when the 2007 season ended. You know he's going to straighten things out in a timely manner. The Falcons were in limbo. I applaud the Dolphins' turnaround, but the Falcons' is more surprising.