Sports fans are willing to forget and overlook a lot. One thing they will never get over, however, is Michael Vick’s involvement in a dog-fighting ring that landed the then-Atlanta Falcons quarterback in prison. The issue is back as a petition demanding Vick be removed as an honorary Pro Bowl captain has gotten a storm of signatures.
The 2020 NFL Pro Bowl will take place on Jan. 26 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. The other captains selected are Terrell Davis, Darrell Green and Bruce Smith. They are expected to serve a variety of roles, including as mentors to players during the game and participate in events leading up to it.
The petition was started on Change.org by a woman. It currently has more than 220,000 signatures.
“Just saw this on Facebook and was absolutely disgusted,” she wrote on the petition page, referring to a social media post about Vick’s inclusion. “When is the NFL going to take any responsibility for the behavior of it’s current and former players? To honor a man who had zero regard for animals is unacceptable and I would like your help to make sure he is not honored at the 2020 NFL Pro Bowl.”
Vick served 18 months in federal prison after admitting in 2007 that he participated in killing dogs and operated a business enterprise that involved illegal gambling. He was suspended by the NFL.
CNN reached out to the NFL, FOX Sports, which employs Vick, and the former quarterback’s representatives but did not receive a response as of this writing.
If you would like to learn more about the petition, or sign it, click here.