By the AP at ESPN:
ATLANTA — Michael Vick lost another sponsor — Rawlings.
The sporting goods company said Tuesday it was ending its relationship with the Atlanta Falcons quarterback because of dogfighting conspiracy charges.
“Rawlings recognizes that Mr. Vick has not been convicted of the charges stemming from his recent indictment,” the St. Louis company said. “However, we have determined that ending our relationship with Mr. Vick at this time is necessary.”
Rawlings used Vick’s image in promotional displays in stores, and its decision is the latest commercial setback for the NFL star.
Last week, Nike suspended a lucrative contract with Vick, and Reebok stopped sales of his No. 7 jersey. Upper Deck removed all Vick autographed memorabilia from its online store and said it was removing Vick trading cards from NFL sets to be released in October.
“Rawlings is disappointed about the charges brought against Mr. Vick for his alleged participation in a dogfighting operation,” the company said. “Dogfighting is illegal and entirely unacceptable to Rawlings.”
Sweet. It’s nice to see these sponsors taking a stand against stupid thuggery for a change.
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Vick has never been the best QB in the league but by all accounts he certainly had it all. Why risk it over something so insane?
I don’t know if he will ever play football again, but if he does can you imaging the fun the fans in Cleveland would have if he shows up in front of the Dog Pound. The imagination runs wild if he actually got traded to the Browns.
LC
Hi LC,
The Dog Pound had not crossed my mind! Actually, it seems to me that one of the few NFL teams that would take him now would be the Raiders. For years I was a HUGE Raiders’ fan, but they continued over and over to endorse thuggery until I finally broke free of them.
It is amazing how some of those athletes really have to work hard to screw up there lives, but they tend to manage quite nicely. Then again, there are many professional athletes that do a world of good, it just doesn’t make the news like this.
Regardless, I am ready for some football!
You can take a thug out of the hood, but he never strayed far from his roots. What is Marcus up to these days?
Hi CavMom,
That’s the truth, along with money doesn’t buy class.
By Marcus, are you speaking of my old socialist troll from my other blog? I haven’t heard from him since I moved.
Michael Vick has a younger brother Marcus. He had a lot of potential on the football field. He was kicked off the team in college for unsportsmanlike conduct. The Dolphins gave him a shot and he blew that too. I have heard rumors of him being arrested on several occasions.
Glad you are not being pestered by your old troll with the same name!
Thanks for the clarification CavMom. Yep, opportunity knocks and these goons do their best to slam the door.
I really hope that all of Vick’s money is spent on sleazy defense attorneys.
Good for Rawlings!
It’s a smart move, too, because they wouldn’t want consumers to boycott.
Yes Bridget, I agree. Good business and ethical sense on their part. Though I, personally, wouldn’t have promoted Vick prior to this. He’s always been a thug.