Eagles Ask NAACP to Cancel Rally, Avoid 'Ugly Scene' Before Vick's Debut

The Eagles are anticipating a full-on spectacle when Michael Vick makes his debut on Thursday night, but the organization is trying to prevent things from getting out of hand.

Updating an earlier report stating that the NAACP and multiple other civil rights groups were planning a "massive demonstration" in support of Vick prior to Thursday's game, ESPN's Sal Paolantonio says that the Eagles have now asked the NAACP to cancel the rally so as to avoid an "ugly scene."

J. Whyatt Mondesire, president of the Philadelphia chapter of the NAACP, told ESPN that as many as a half-dozen organizations were planning to march in front of Lincoln Financial Field Thursday.

"We believe Michael Vick has served his time, paid his debt to society and deserves a second chance and the animal rights groups want to hold him hostage for the rest of his life," J. Whyatt Mondesire, president of the Philadelphia chapter of the NAACP, told ESPN. "We think that's patently unfair. It denies Michael Vick's basic civil rights, denies him his ability to make a living."

The NAACP has not yet announced whether it will comply with the Eagles' request.

No animal rights organizations have announced any plans for anti-Vick demonstrations on Thursday, though it's probably a safe bet that there will be some dissenters amongst the crowd.

Vick has not played a down in the NFL since Week 17 of the 2006 season when Atlanta visited, ironically enough, Philadelphia. His legal history since then, which included a 19-month prison stay on dogfighting charges, has been well documented, turning Vick into a polarizing public figure.

Eagles head coach Andy Reid said that Vick will see action on Thursday against Jacksonville, possibly even alongside current Philly quarterback Donovan McNabb. Per the terms of his current NFL suspension, Vick is eligible to compete in Philadelphia's final two preseason games, but could be forced to sit out as many as six regular season games.

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Michael Vick

FILE - In this Sunday, Aug. 16, 2009, file photo, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick throws during NFL football practice at team's practice facility in Philadelphia. Vick will make his preseason debut for the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night, Aug. 27, 2009. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)

Latest Michael Vick Images

FILE -- This is an Aug. 14, 2009, file photo showing Michael Vick, right, along with Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid during a news conference in Philadelphia. Eagles tailgaters will be out in force long before Michael Vick takes the field on Thursday. So will animal advocates _ on the other side of town. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb (5) practices with Michael Vick (7) and the team on Monday, August 24, 2009, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Ed Hille/Philadelphia Inquirer/MCT)

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Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb (5) practices with Michael Vick (7) and the team on Monday, August 24, 2009, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Ed Hille/Philadelphia Inquirer/MCT)

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Philadelphia Eagles quarterbacks Michael Vick, right, and Donovan McNabb practices at NFL football training camp in Philadelphia, Monday, Aug. 24, 2009. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick practices at NFL football training camp in Philadelphia, Monday, Aug. 24, 2009. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Philadelphia Eagles quarterbacks Michael Vick, center, Adam DiMichele, left, and A.J. Feeley, rear right, practices at NFL football training camp in Philadelphia, Monday, Aug. 24, 2009. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Philadelphia Eagles quarterbacks Michael Vick (7) and Donovan McNabb (5) talk during practice at the Novacare Complex in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Sunday, August 23, 2009. (Charles Fox/Philadelphia Inquirer/MCT)

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An Indianapolis Colts fans protest Michael Vick signing with the Philadelphia Eagles during a preseason NFL football game in Indianapolis, Indiana, Thursday, August 20, 2009. (Yong Kim/Philadelphia Daily News/MCT)

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