Controversy sells.
It also brings out dozens of protestors if you happen to be a superstar athlete and admitted dog killer charging upward of $120 for autographs.
So was the scene for Michael Vick on Sunday when hundreds gathered in Butler, New Jersey to either lambaste the quarterback for running a dog-fighting ring or praise him for leading the Philadelphia Eagles to the NFL playoffs.
Vick, who admitted in court to helping drown or hang at least six canines, spent more than two hours at Butler Sports Cards quietly taking photos with fans and signing autographs while three dozen police officers kept the peace outside. No arrests were reported.
Vick was brought to the store by co-owner Jeff Robbins who charged $90 for signed mini-helmets, cards and 8×10 photos and $119 for regulation helmets, footballs and other larger items.
“I’m not bringing him in because he killed dogs,” Robbins said before the session. “I’m bringing in him because he’s the biggest autograph draw out there right now.
Vick and his small entourage arrived around 1:45 p.m. — 45 minutes late — pulling into the back of the store in a white Audi with tinted windows to a chorus of boos and name-calling.
Every time the door opened to let a fan in, the protestors would shout “killer!” at Vick.
When one fan told Vick that he felt sorry for him, the quarterback said softly: “It ain’t too bad out there.”
Vick’s public apologies have rung hollow among animal rights advocates.
“I see no signs of genuine remorse” said Roberta Taylor. “I think anyone can be redeemed, but I don’t see it with him.”
Many fans who emerged from the store held up their Vick autographs defiantly, taunting the protestors who showered them with chants of “Shame! Shame!”
Candi Bright, who runs the non-profit dog rescue group Gentle Giants in Wayne, New Jersey recently took in two 8-week-old St. Bernard puppies that she said were going to be used as “bait” in a Kentucky dog-fighting ring. She’s rehabilitating them and will soon offer them up for adoption.
“This is the kind of dog Michael Vick had no regard for,” said Bright, who helped organize the demonstration. “I don’t know how anyone could harm these guys.”
This man makes me ill… He is walking free today because he is a “GREAT FOOTBALL” player… Those poor furbabies are damaged for life. Kudos to all those who have opened their hearts and taken in and cared for all of these furbabies harmed by his brainless actions. This man- (NO, I cannot call him a MAN!) This MONSTER should not be allowed to walk freely. He should have been locked up and the key burried in the back yard! I agree he shows no remorse! He is not and will not ever be rehabilitated. He will always be a monster in my eyes… I can never watch the Eagles play again! Makes my blood boil! Bless each and everyone of those poor furbabies souls- living and dead that had to endure his torture!
This man makes me ill… He is walking free today because he is a “GREAT FOOTBALL” player… Those poor furbabies are damaged for life. Kudos to all those who have opened their hearts and taken in and cared for all of these furbabies harmed by his brainless actions. This man- (NO, I cannot call him a MAN!) This MONSTER should not be allowed to walk freely. He should have been locked up and the key burried in the back yard! I agree he shows no remorse! He is not and will not ever be rehabilitated. He will always be a monster in my eyes… I can never watch the Eagles play again! Makes my blood boil! Bless each and everyone of those poor furbabies souls- living and dead that had to endure his torture!
“The stupid neither forgive nor forget; the naive forgive and forget; the wise forgive but do not forget.”
The man spent ZERO TIME in prison for any of the vicious, felonious murders, assaults, and abuse of those dogs. He spent prison time for admitting to illegal GAMBLING. Don’t let the snow job that Wayne Pacelle of the Humane Society of the United States is trying to sell you fool you into thinking he spent even 1 minute for the callous assassination of innocent animals. HSUS backs him as a ruse to rake in more dollars from the NFL. They are yet another scam artist extraordinaire trying to fool you into thinking they’re supporting those poor souls on the commercials when in fact they give LESS THAN 1% of the donations received to support shelter pets. They are both evil and detestable wastes of space that need to stop using my oxygen.
Megan.., right on!
Not many people are aware of this, thanks to the Humane Society. Vick did more than what this article states. He and his group also body slammed, electrocuted, beat to death many of the dogs.
Vick has continued to befriend those involved.., and the word is, that the reason the Humane Society and NFL worked so hard to protect Vick, is that it would of led to many others in professional sports.
Greed.
Karma is a bitch, and when it comes.., it rolls in like a Lion!
I think its disgusting any team would have him & that people actually pay to have him sign things. If I lived in the US I’d protest this of crap too.
I’d like to hold Vick under water or hang him! He has no remorse for what he did to those pittys. I do believe what goes around comes around. And Vick the d**k will get his in the end! It’s just a shame that innocent animals are treated this way.
It makes me so sick that it is hard to even think about. He is not a hero, he is a person that tortures animals!! Just like children, animals are innocent victims. I would love for Vick to play a game with his “bros” like he did and I am very sure still does with animals. Is he willing to endure what he put the innocent animails through? I seriously doubt it, he is too much of a pu..y to do that and as long as his stupid ass is getting paid he and his entourage don’t give a shit about anyone or anything but themselves. He could pay for every shelter anywhere to keep animals safe, but only thinks of himself and even if he did put money towards that it would only be for selfish reasons. F him and any supporters of him!!!
M. Vick needs to be drown and the owner of the sports shop needs to have dog lovers put him out of business.
I read that a man had gotten 9 years and 6 months for aniamls cruelty….made history apparently….Vic didn’t get that much time and he even said that if he hadn’t got caught he would still be doing it (Fighting innocent dogs and making their life a living hell).. ???????? I think he should be donating some of his wad to “Pitbull Rescues”…..remorse I think not OR he would have offered already