Nike first signed Michael Vick for an endorsement deal in his rookie year with the Atlanta Falcons. After he admitted his involvement with an illegal dog fighting ring, he was dropped.
Two years after Vick’s release from Leavenworth Federal Prison on dog fighting charges, Nike has re-signed Vick. Some call it the ultimate in redemption. Others are not so forgiving.
A Facebook campaign has started to Boycott Nike and any other companies who endorse Michael Vick.
Some celebrities have expressed their disapproval of the Vick/Nike relationship via Twitter, according to Carina Adly MacKenzie, zap2it.com.
Jenna Dewan, star The Playboy Club tweeted, ”Yes, I do believe in forgiveness, but that does not mean I need to support him as an inspirational figure.”
One Tree Hill star Sophia Bush was more animated in her tweeting.
“NIKE just signed Michael Vick!?” she tweeted. “Done. Over. Lost customer. NEVER wearing Nike again. #AnimalAbuseIsUnforgivable. The propensity to be cruel and ruthless toward a defenseless animal is sick, twisted, & unforgivable. #NOTaRoleModel.”
Big Bang theory star Kaley Cuoco posted on her Twitter page, “Dear Nike, I’m disappointed.”
Kaley Cuoco is a Humane Society supporter, and interestingly, Michael Vick has been working with the Humane Society since his prison release, to stop kids in inner city schools from getting involved in dog fighting.
Last week BET was honored Vick with the “Athlete of the Year” award, sponsored by Subway, so the Facebook campaign is also calling for a boycott of BET as well as Subway.
there is no way he deserves a second chance in the sports world makin big money those poor dogs did not get a second chance shame on nike and subway!!!!!!!!!
Nike is using Micheal Vick for adds. And they have sweat shops??? Gooooo Reebok.
I just hope that none of you EVER do ANYTHING that you need forgiveness for!!! I applaud Nike!!! It’s not Vick that is sick…go back and read the comments being made….smh….sad
If Mike hadn’t been caught he would still be fighting dogs. Since when is someone who tortures animals a good role model? He did his time but that doesn’t mean we need to shower him with millions of dollars.
I ahve never seen any of those Stars with a Nike shirt or Shoes.
Maybe it’s just because I have never seen or heard of them. Anyways, commercial are made to target ome people and dear “STARS and CELEBRETIES I am sorry but this time it wasn’t for You”. Wich one of those tweeeter has an endorsment deal?
Not that i endorse what VIck did but come on, give ourself a break.
The gu made mistakes and paid for it, what do you guys want him to do, give his life, that stil wouldnt be enough, tell your Kids sto stop voting Vick in the seond to proballer and stop beggig that he be put on the cover of EA games because that’s what Nike sees
I dont believe anyone condones or supports Michael Vick’s prior offensive behaviors, but I do believe in rehabilitation, forgiveness and second chances. He has done a very good job of turning his life around and does a lot of work (on his own without being court mandated) in educating kids/people about how wrong his actions and behaviors were…..
He wasn’t just dog fighting…. he was attaching jumper cables to dogs ears and throwing them in his pool. The pool had claw marks and huge bites taken out of the sides where these helpless animals where crying out in pain, and doing anything possible to survive. He would take the back legs and his friend would take the front legs, and use the dog like a jump rope, smashing the helpless dog to the groung until it was finally dead. He said it was fun.