December 7, 2019
The same week that President Trump signed into law the PACT Act, a landmark bill that will now allow prosecutors to pursue federal and felony charges against animal abusers, the NFL named Michael Vick as one of the 2020 Pro Bowl “Legends Captains.” His role would be to provide mentor-ship to the team’s offense during the game and also attend many events during Pro Bowl week, which will be held in Orlando, Florida, at the end of January.
This “honorary title” comes twelve years after he was caught operating a dog-fighting ring on his own property, raking in money while maiming and killing animals by his own hand, while playing for the Atlanta Falcons. He eventually served less than two years in prison and filed for bankruptcy. Although the NFL initially suspended him, they invited him to come back and play until he retired from football in 2017.
Since the NFL’s announcement last week, over 250,000 people have signed a petition urging the NFL to rescind his honorary position in the Pro Bowl.
Take Action: Sign the petition! Let the NFL know that their support of Michael Vick’s behavior is appalling and disappointing, and that someone so heartless and cruel towards animals does not deserve to be a “mentor” to anyone–no matter how many yards he ran in his career.