According to a rather testy-sounding message posted to Facebook, the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce was aware that "some would disagree" when the group decided to host Michael Vick as a guest speaker at their 2014 "Evening of Champions."
"The recognition is not for Mr. Vick," Chamber president and CEO Harvey Schmitt told North Carolina NBC affiliate WNCN, while also declining to say how much Vick is being paid for his appearance. "Mr. Vick has an interesting story to tell. It is one of an attempt for his personal redemption."
Here's a Change.org petition showing robust support for Vick to be uninvited from the event, which according to its website is the business community's annual opportunity to "salute the stars of local sports":
Animal welfare advocates are more than disappointed…they’re downright outraged that the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce has chosen a convicted felon who tortured, abused and killed countless innocent dogs through his Bad Newz Kennels compound to speak at an event that celebrates and honors local star athletes. Having Michael Vick featured as a role model at a chamber event that was conceived years ago to showcase sportsmanship and integrity is completely unacceptable and reprehensible, and shows that the chamber is out of touch with Wake County’s citizens, who are compassionate people and want the best for our animals.
Vick's spokesperson, however, said that all these forms of protesting his client is bad for the causes the protesters support.
"After his release from prison, Michael Vick has spoken to more than 10,000 school children about the importance of animal welfare and the positive power of a second chance. He is an important messenger and one of the most charitable players in the NFL," Vick's spokesperson, Chris Shigas, told The Huffington Post.
"It was the Sports Council (of which I am a former chair) that approached me about the possibility of having Mike speak at our upcoming event, not the other way around," he said. "So Mike is coming to Raleigh with a powerful message about making good choices; not letting peer influences lead anyone down the wrong path; and not allowing personal failure to be the final chapter in anyone’s life. I’m not sure what any activist finds wrong with that message, other than then they don’t like the messenger delivering it. That’s fine, except Mike is committed to keep telling his story with the hope that he can get through to anyone who might be at-risk."
"If the protestors use their energy in a positive way instead of directing hatred and resentment toward a man who is now advocating for the same things they want," Shigas said, "the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act would be a law."
Sarah Williams, a Raleigh resident who's been asking the Chamber of Commerce to remove Vick from this year's program, is not convinced.
Vick "didn't just dogfight (the cause he discusses)," she told HuffPost by email. "He went beyond with a psychotic need to brutalize dogs in unfathomable ways AFTER the fights. That's a fact. And my main point, and those who are protesting, this evening is about Champions who have gone above and beyond and are being honored. Why muddy the spirit of the event as a avenue for his redemption from his PR firm."
This piece has been updated with comments from Rick French regarding his involvement with Vick's inclusion in the Raleigh event.
Super Egg
Dog With World's Largest Eyes
Calico Lobster
30,000 Bees Stuck In New Jersey Attic
Giant Shark Caught In Mexico.
Prada
Homer Simpson Fish
Kitten Found In Car Engine
World's Smallest Dog?
Piglet In Hotel Lobby
Cat Cafes Threatened In Tokyo
Albino Penguin -- Jan. 2012
'Cupid' The Cat -- Jan. 2012
Lucy: World's Smallest Working Dog -- Nov. 2011
Polydactyl Kittens -- Jan. 2012
Crocodile in Belgium -- Dec. 2011
Booie The Smoking Chimp Dies
Taxidermied Squirrel -- Dec. 2011
Giant Crocodile Captured In Philippines -- Sept. 2011
Jason Fitz and Frank Schwab join forces to recap the draft in the best way they know how: letter grades! Fitz and Frank discuss all 32 teams division by division as they give a snapshot of how fans should be feeling heading into the 2024 season. The duo have key debates on the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders and more.
The NFL will allow players to wear protective Guardian Caps during games beginning with the 2024 season. The caps were previously mandated for practices.