Update (December 11, 2019): An Atlanta human rights organization is showing its support for former NFL quarterback Michael Vick, who is facing scrutiny yet again from animal rights advocates.

According to Fox 5, The New Order National Human Rights Organization held a press conference Tuesday in support of the NFL’s decision to honor the former star quarterback who served prison time for dogfighting in 2007.

The organization’s statement comes after a woman created a petition demanding the NFL to cancel its plan to honor Vick at the Pro Bowl in January.

“He paid his debt to society,” Gerald Rose, president of The New Order National Human Rights Organization, told Fox 5. “He had a second chance in the NFL. Right now, he’s not hiding. He’s in commentary.”

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the NFL released a statement on November 26 to announce its plans to honor the former quarterback at the Pro Bowl. Joanna Lind followed up with a petition soon after hearing the news, getting more than 400,000 signatures.

“When is the NFL going to take any responsibility for the behavior of it’s current and former players?" Lind wrote on the petition. "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's former teammate, David Akers, supported the previous Philadelphia Eagles quarterback on Twitter.

“Mike has paid for all he has done and more. He has done much behind the scenes as well to give back without wanting any public acknowledgement,” Akers tweeted.

Wow. Sad. Mike has paid for all he has done and more. He has done much behind the scenes as well to give back without wanting any public acknowledgement. https://t.co/2yLzrTUsxT

— David Akers (@David2Akers) December 9, 2019

According to Sports Illustrated, the Virginia native was found guilty in 2007 for running a “cruel and inhumane” dogfighting ring and lying about it. The former Atlanta Falcons star began the operation in 2001, training and breeding pit bulls on his property to prepare them for dogfighting events, the indictment stated.

The losing dogs were reportedly electrocuted, drowned or shot.

"Some of the grisly details in these filings shocked even me, and I'm a person who faces this stuff every day," John Goodwin of the Humane Society told ESPN in 2007. "I was surprised to see that they were killing dogs by hanging them and one dog was killed by slamming it to the ground. Those are extremely violent methods of execution — they're unnecessary and just sick."

Vick started his career with the Atlanta Falcons in 2001. After serving prison time, he returned to the NFL and played for the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers. He retired in 2017 and worked as an analyst for Fox Sports.

The four-time Pro Bowler could now return to the annual game as an honoree on January 26 in Orlando. According to the Post-Gazette, other legends who will be honored at the Pro Bowl include Terrell Davis, Darrell Green and Bruce Smith.

Original (December 9, 2019): Animal rights activists don't want to see Michael Vick as a mentor at the Pro Bowl.

A woman who created an online petition is leading the fight against the former NFL star who served 18 months in prison for participating in dogfighting.

“When is the NFL going to take any responsibility for the behavior of it’s current and former players?" Joanna Lind wrote on the petition. "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.”

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the NFL released a statement on November 26 to announce its plans to honor the former quarterback at the Pro Bowl. The woman followed up with a petition soon after hearing the news, getting more than 400,000 signatures so far.

While some condemn the NFL, Vick's supporters say the quarterback has already served his time and he deserves to be honored as a legend at the Pro Bowl.

"I am a Michael Vick fan and I do believe if you served your time and paid your dues you should get what you deserve. What he did off the field — he paid for, and what he did on the field he should be rewarded for," Eugene Stevens told 6 ABC.

Another person speaking to the news station said it's not that easy to forget what Vick did to animals.

"Certain things you learn to forgive and forget, but to be a great person is to be all-inclusive and I don't think that's who he is. He had a lot of shortfalls," Rabbi Barry Blum said.

Vick's former teammate, David Akers, supported the previous Philadelphia Eagles quarterback on Twitter.

“Mike has paid for all he has done and more. He has done much behind the scenes as well to give back without wanting any public acknowledgement,” Akers tweeted.

Wow. Sad. Mike has paid for all he has done and more. He has done much behind the scenes as well to give back without wanting any public acknowledgement. https://t.co/2yLzrTUsxT

— David Akers (@David2Akers) December 9, 2019

Replying to Akers' tweet, meteorologist Cecily Tynan expressed why she disagrees.

"Someone who tortured animals should never be honored… ever," she said. "It wasn’t a ‘victimless crime.' If he becomes honorary pro bowl captain, what kind of message does that send to our children about how to treat animals?"

Another Twitter user sided with Akers, saying people need to have the same compassion for Black kids.

"It’s a damn football game, he’s not being bestowed the Noble Peace Prize," the Twitter user said. "I wish people cared more about the lives of missing black kids than they do cats and dogs."

It’s a damn football game, he’s not being bestowed the Noble Peace Prize. I wish people cared more about the lives of missing black kids than they do cats and dogs.

— JSU85 (@bdobb07211) December 9, 2019

One Twitter user also compared the quarterback to OJ Simpson.

"If you’re going to make Michael Vick a pro bowl legend captain, we might as well call OJ Simpson, too," she said.

If you’re going to make Michael Vick a pro bowl legend captain, we might as well call OJ Simpson, too. pic.twitter.com/nZHCOgWC0p

— kaylin (@kaylinpassmore) December 6, 2019

According to Sports Illustrated, the Virginia native was found guilty in 2007 for running a “cruel and inhumane” dogfighting ring and lying about it. The former Atlanta Falcons star began the operation in 2001, training and breeding pit bulls on his property to prepare them for dogfighting events, the indictment stated.

The losing dogs were reportedly electrocuted, drowned or shot.

"Some of the grisly details in these filings shocked even me, and I'm a person who faces this stuff every day," John Goodwin of the Humane Society told ESPN in 2007. "I was surprised to see that they were killing dogs by hanging them and one dog was killed by slamming it to the ground. Those are extremely violent methods of execution — they're unnecessary and just sick."

Vick started his career with the Atlanta Falcons in 2001. After serving prison time, he returned to the NFL and played for the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers. He retired in 2017 and worked as an analyst for Fox Sports.

The four-time Pro Bowler could now return to the annual game as an honoree on January 26 in Orlando. According to the Post-Gazette, other legends who will be honored at the Pro Bowl include Terrell Davis, Darrell Green and Bruce Smith.

Animal-Rights

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