The Virginian-Pilot
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It appeared to be the Hail Mary heave of public relations moves.
Michael Vick in talks to become a spokesman for PETA?
Not true, a PETA spokesman said Friday, denying a report the former NFL star and convicted dogfighter from Newport News is negotiating to do public service ads for the Norfolk-based animal rights group.
"There are no ongoing discussions," PETA spokesman Dan Shannon said. "There were. They are over now."
Talks between Vick and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals broke off in December after a U.S. Department of Agriculture report revealed that Vick put family pets into the fighting ring with trained pit bulls to watch them be mauled or killed, Shannon said.
The report contradicted Vick's previous statements and indicated to PETA that, "maybe this is more than a guy who got involved with the wrong people and got into a dogfighting ring," Shannon said. "This might be somebody suffering from an anti-social personality disorder."
PETA ended the dialogue and called on Vick to undergo a psychiatric evaluation.
No talks have taken place since, Shannon said. An online article published Friday by Advertising Age said Vick was in ongoing discussions with PETA about becoming a spokesman for the group. Shannon called the report "misleading."
Vick's agent, Joel Segal, did not return calls seeking a comment. Vick attorney Lawrence H. Woodward Jr. would not comment.
Vick is due to be released to home confinement in Hampton on May 20 or 21.
In order to be reinstated to the NFL, Vick needs to show "genuine remorse," Commissioner Roger Goodell said. PETA is also looking for evidence that Vick is genuinely sorry, Shannon said.
Even if Vick submitted to the psychological evaluation and passed with flying colors, there is no guarantee PETA would resume discussions, Shannon said.
"We're only interested in doing it if it is a genuine effort on his part," Shannon said. "We don't want to be part of a cynical PR ploy to get him reinstated."
Ed Miller, 446-2372 or ed.miller@pilotonline.com
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Frankd
It it's obvious you love dogs but you might consider channeling some of that negative energy into something positive, maybe volunteer at pet shelters! Vick isn't worth getting your blood pressure up or upsetting yourself to maybe go and do something stupid.
Vick Will Fade Into Obscurity
PETA is finished with Vick - the fact that he used family pets as bait was the last straw. And I applaud PETA because they see through Vick's desperate ploy to use them to get reinstated in the NFL. Let him come on back home in May - and believe he can live the life he once did - we are ready to fight like hell and keep him out of the NFL. From the moment of his release, Vick's dreams will turn into nightmares.
This comment is awaiting staff approval.
Ellipsoid wrote, "Dogs are nothing but food. That's all".
I'm glad I don't live next door to you.
He will never play again,
He will never play again, and rightfully so.
Va Tech
Doesn't Va Tech still have something named after Vick? Maybe he will go back and get his degree!
Would have been a dumb move anyway
Vick needs to repair his public image. Connecting to himself to a generally disliked political organization would not have helped. It would make much more sense to get involved with organizations that actually do real work for animal welfare.
PETA
peta is a joke ,
I think Vick and peta were made from the same mold.
After all, both kill dogs. Peta kills dogs and cats in the back of a van behind grocery stores and throws their corpses in dumpsters. Vick kills dogs on his own property then digs a hole and buries them. Ummmmm... come to think of it, maybe Vick is a little better than peta. Peta is nothing but a bunch of nut cases running around scaring little kids with their insane mess.
Bad news Vick
I can't see ANYONE or any company wanting to use Michael Vick as a spokesperson for anything. Maybe in ten years after he's been a complete angel, but even after that people would have doubts about him.
Good!!
I am happy that Michael (while he has done wrong and has paid for it) is not getting tied up with these crazy fools that dress up like the KKK in NYC, think they have the right to steal hunting dogs in Southampton County and destroy other people's belongings. I am happy they do not want him as he needs to make a clean break of being around lowlife. If the Redskins would give him a chance I personally with a couple of friends by his jerseys and pass out his pictures in front of PETA. People need to let the Michael bashing go. As I said I do not condone what he did but he has paid the price for it and hopefully he will be allowed to move on!!