Last Updated On: 7/23/2007 11:26:55 AM
Atlanta Falcon?s football coach Bobby Petrino made his first public appearance since the indictment of his star quarterback, but he made it clear he would not discuss the situation with Michael Vick.
?He said he?s confident the team will address it in the most efficient and right manner, and address it head on,? said Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce member John Haber. ?But he asked that we not ask him any questions about it.?
Petrino spoke before a gathering of about fifty Chamber of Commerce members at a private, invitation-only luncheon. Several players, including backup quarterback D.J. Shockley and kicker Michael Koenen, joined Petrino at the event.
?You can tell he?s a real family man,? said chamber member Jon Winsett of Petrino. ?You can tell his players and the team are part of his family, and it?s clear although he made the subject of Michael Vick off limits that it?s something he was watching very closely and he cares a lot about.?
Haber said Falcon fans at the luncheon were certainly curious about the Vick situation.
?I?m sure in the back of their minds, people wanted to ask questions, but people were very polite and knew it?s a controversial situation, and everyone had respect for his request, and no one approached that subject," Haber said.
Instead, Petrino talked about the process that led him to the job as the Falcon?s newest coach, his football philosophy and his plans for the upcoming season.
Michael Vick, indicted by a federal grand jury on Tuesday on charges related to dog fighting, is scheduled to make his first court appearance next Thursday, the very day the Atlanta Falcons begin practice for the 2007-2008 season.
