In the last two weeks, online petitions calling for Michael Vick to be barred from the 2020 NFL Pro Bowl for his dogfighting past have received more than 1.2 million signatures. Despite those pleas, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said he has no plans to remove him from the roster.
At a news conference held at the end of the league's quarterly ownership meetings, Goodell talked about the petitions, which have now garnered more than 1 million John Hancocks on three petitions on Change.org and AnimalVictory.org.
»MORE: More than 630,000 sign petitions to keep Michael Vick from Pro Bowl honors
Goodell, according to Pro Football Talk, told the media Wednesday that the former Atlanta Falcons quarterback has paid his debts to society during the last nine years to reconcile his past of abusing dogs.
He's paid a heavy price for that. He has been accountable for it. He's worked aggressively with the Humane Society and other institutions to deal with animal rights and to make sure people don't make the same mistake he made. And I admire that." — Roger Goodell
He goes on to say he doesn’t “anticipate” any change in Vick serving as captain of the 2020 NFL Pro Bowl, which will feature other former players including Terrell Davis, Darrell Green and Bruce Smith.
“I know that there are people out there who will never forgive him. He knows that. But I think this is a young man that has really taken his life in a positive direction, and we support that,” Goodell said.
»MORE: Virginia city says Michael Vick owes $70,000 in unpaid taxes
Vick served 23 months in a federal prison for running a dogfighting ring at his home. Petitioners say the time served is not enough to clear the slate.
“When is the NFL going to take any responsibility for the behavior of it's current and former players?,” the petition reads. “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,” petitioner Joanna Lind wrote.
The 2020 NFL Pro Bowl is scheduled Jan. 26 in Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET.
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