Michael Vick, the star National Football League quarterback whose career was interrupted by a dogfighting conviction, has reached an endorsement agreement with athletic equipment maker Nike.
"We have re-signed Michael Vick as a Nike athlete," Megan Saalfeld, a Nike spokeswoman, said in an e-mail to CNN.
See rare photos of Michael Vick
Vick, currently on the roster of the Philadelphia Eagles, served 20 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to bankrolling a dogfighting operation. He has since emerged as a spokesman against dogfighting.
"Michael acknowledges his past mistakes," Saalfeld said. "We do not condone those actions, but we support the positive changes he has made to better himself off the field. "
Vick had a choice to do or not to do what he did. The team he plays for has a choice to have him play or not to play. The viewers have a choice to watch that team or not watch that team play. Nike has a choice to sign him or not sign him. I have a choice to buy Nike or not buy Nike. I choose to not buy nor wear any more Nike products including Cole-Haan. People and businesses have live with the consequences of their choices. The dogs he tortured and murdered had no choice and yet suffered the worst of the consequences. Good bye Nike and good riddance. You made an appalling choice. Shame on you.
"Why give people second chances when there are people waiting for their First?" #KeepItMoving
WHY WHY WHY DOES NIKE WANT FOR A SPOKESPERSON A COMPLETE SADISTIC JERK & COWARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(we aren't "forgiiving" Ted BUNDY and DAHMER for godsakes these TORTURES AND KILLINGS WERE HORRIFIC TORTURE TO DEFENSELESS CREATURES whether you love dogs or not it is COWARDICE PERSONIFIED AS THE DOGS COULD NOT ESCAPE NOR DEFEND THEMSELVES
the Humane Society should NEVER have opened the door to this forgiveness BS it's heinous and cruel beyond all belief
So going to prison for torturing and killing dogs for fun and profit is now called an "interruption" in his career – unbelievable. I guess if they ever release Manson he can just put interruption on his resume for his jail time too. Two words – Boycott Nike!!!
What other people say or think about Michael Vick means nothing to me. I make my own decisions. If Michael Vick is representing Nike, then I'm not buying from Nike. No rants or preaching from me – but don't look for any of my money coming your way.
Um, bruce that million was called a fine pard., it's what many convicted felons have to pay but I suppose you're unaware of how the legal system works. @second chance, um can you say crazy sports fanatic guy?
Nike recognizes that the Michael Vick brand is stronger than ever. Comeback stories are powerfully positive, as are journeys of redemption. Plus, it sure has people talking about the Nike brand: http://merriamassociates.com/2011/07/nike-endorsement-deal-signals-michael-vick-brand-comeback/
Comeback stories like George Foreman and joe Namath, not comeback stories of some slime ball ret ard that should still be in prison.
People, People, People, do what Michael Vick did, go get a life.
Good idea, I think I'll do that WITHOUT a pair of Nike's in my closet.......... that's the wonderful thing about the world we live in, we can make choices and mine would be NOT to support Michael Vick or Nike along with millions of other people.
@Connie: you mean take a life don't you? Yeah it may have been an animal but it was the cruelty in which he did it that was and is so outrageous but hey he can play ball so who gives a flying f k right. Idol worship is a sin too.
Die like those animals Vick, flattened out on the turf. Now THAT would be cool not to mention real justice.
Gives new meaning to the slogan, "Just Do It." Kill dogs.. just do it! Good job, Nike.. I won't be buying any of your products in the future, and I'm spreading the word. Boycott Nike.. just do it!
For those who disagree with NIke signing a convicted felon
Just Don't Do It! National Nike Boycott Day July 17th, 2011
On July 17th (the day Vick was indicted) during all business hours gather up all of the Nike products you may own and take them into the store. Let them know you you no longer have a use for their product or them in light of them re-signing Michael Vick. A LIST OF NIKE STORES NATIONWIDE - http://niketown.nike.com/storelocator/storelocator.jsp NIKE OUTLET STORES -– http://www.malls-info.com/outlet/nike.html
No more Nikes for me. The marketing exec there that thought this was a good idea should be fired.
@MikeRAHfone: hypocritical that you'd not forgive pagans and gays or whoever else you're against but you demand some one forgive a person who brutally abused animals.