Michael Vick Signs One-Year Contract With Pittsburgh Steelers, Fans Speak Out Against Convicted Dog Killer’s Signing
In 2007, Michael Vick was charged with operating an interstate dog-fighting ring — known as Bad Newz Kennels. He was accused of financing the operation, being directly involved in the dog fights, and he admitted to executing at least six to eight dogs who did not perform well, by hanging or drowning them. Michael Vick served 21 months in jail for the charges.
After Vick’s release from prison and subsequent reinstatement in the NFL, he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2009, where he played until 2014. Michael Vick then signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the New York Jets. Now that Vick’s contract with the Jets has run out, it has recently been reported by the Inquisitr that he has signed a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and many Steelers fans aren’t happy with Coach Mike Tomlin’s decision to sign not only a convicted felon, but also an admitted dog killer to the Black and Gold.
Though it’s clear that Tomlin is looking more at Vick’s golden arm than he is his rap sheet — “there’s not a throw on the field he can’t make from an arm strength standpoint,” Coach Tomlin said — he’s still well aware that signing Michael Vick comes with it its own set of baggage.
“Obviously we’re sensitive to those potential things but we are going to do our due diligence. Rest assured that we’ve done that, but rest assured he’s done a lot since he’s gone through some of the things he’s gone through and his track record at this point in that regard speaks for itself.”
Many Steelers fans, however, are not convinced, as is evidenced by the outcry on social media since news of Michael Vick’s signing broke.
A Facebook page, entitled “Pittsburghers Against Michael Vick,” has recently popped up with nearly 12,000 followers, and a “peaceful protest” in Pittsburgh has been planned for this afternoon. As well, as of this writing, a petition on change.org has already garnered 12,861 signatures in an attempt to have Tomlin dump Vick from the Steelers roster.
“Michael Vick is a convicted felon and no-class piece of crap. He is also a terrible QB which is why he has no team. Let’s united [sic] as Steeler fans — as NFL fans — and stop him from playing on our team! Steelers fans united! Sign to keep Vick from ever wearing the coveted Steelers uniform!!”
As is par for the course, Twitter users have also used the social media site to voice their discontent over Michael Vick’s signing, in 140 characters or less.
I am a steelers fan but I will not cheer for Michael Vick, I'm disappointed that he is still playing for the NFL let alone my team. #upset
— Nicole (@Nicolee_boggs) August 26, 2015
#michaelvick goodbye @steelers never forgive or forget. He is scum. pic.twitter.com/CORw507rIr
— Ashley Dumas (@adumas97) August 26, 2015
People defending Michael Vick should just be hung, electrocuted, beat, and drowned. Because you know it's totally not a big deal????
— carly (@carlynichole_) August 26, 2015
While many fans are now talking about burning or throwing out their Steelers memorabilia after learning of Vick’s signing, Ron Cook, a sportswriter for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, has three words for those people: “Get over it.”
“No one is condoning Vick’s deplorable acts with those dogs. No one with a conscience could. But people change. By all accounts, Vick was a decent human during his five seasons with the Eagles and last season with the New York Jets. The Steelers coaches and players will welcome him with open arms.”
How do you feel about the Pittsburgh Steelers signing convicted dog killer Michael Vick? Does he deserve a second chance, or do you believe the only reason Vick is remorseful is because he got caught since, in the words of Michael Vick’s own father, Michael Boddie, dog-fighting “is Mike’s thing, and he knows it… likes it”? Sound off below.
[Image Credit: Alex Trautwig / Getty Images]
