The New York Jets signed Michael Vick Friday, but at least one animal rights group isn't happy about it.
After the Jets announced Michael Vick's signing, PETA tweeted: "At least Michael Vick can't drown, electrocute, hang, or shoot a football the way he terrorized man's best friend.'"
But is PETA unnecessarily dredging up an old issue?
Michael Vick's younger brother says he thinks the issue is long gone. On Saturday, Marcus Vick tweeted at PETA asking if it was “still on that [BS]." PETA never responded to Marcus Vick's tweet.
Michael Vick served 21 months in prison for his role in a dogfighting ring after pleading guilty back in 2007. (ViaWSB-TV)
After he got out of jail and was reinstated by the league, Michael Vick signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2009.
And, while it was an unpopular move at the time, talk of Michael Vick's past eventually died down. (Via New York Daily News)
WABC points out Michael Vick now works with the Humane Society to help prevent cruelty to animals in the future.
But for some Jets fans, that's not enough. One fan told WCBS: "As an animal advocate ... I personally have no use for him," and another fan called the move a "slap in the face." A third told the station it's hard to root for the team now that they've hired Michael Vick.
A columnist for the New York Daily News says it's not Michael Vick's "forgettable baggage" that'll be a problem for him — it's his age and constant injuries. Still, the columnist admits Michael Vick is a "controversial figure."
And after several years of disappointing seasons, the team will take its chances with a potentially risky hire.
It came the same day that the Jets released quarter Mark Sanchez. Sports Illustrated called Sanchez's five seasons as quarterback a "sad saga" and even a "comical failure."
A writer for USA Today says Michael Vick gives the team a new sense of hope after an 8-8 finish last season. There's now talk that he could even be selected as the team's quarterback.
Michael Vick's deal with the Jets only lasts for one year. The team will reportedly pay him $5 million next season.
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