Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has clarified a post he made via Instagram that showed him posing with his dogs while wearing a Michael Vick jersey.
Murray, 28, deleted the post when he received blowback related to the jersey and Vick’s notorious dogfighting scandal.
“In no way, shape or form do I condone animal cruelty or dogfighting or whatever it is,” Murray told the media at a Cardinals press conference on Wednesday, September 17. “For me personally, y’all saw me wear the Michael Vick jersey, a player I admired very much growing up. … My dogs, Trunks and Swoosh, they both get treated like kings.”
Vick, 45, pleaded guilty in 2007 to two charges related to his involvement in the Bad Newz Kennels dogfighting ring. As part of a plea deal, he admitted to financing the operation and killing between six and eight dogs himself.
“In no way, shape or form am I condoning that,” Murray continued. “I saw how it affected people and decided to take [the post] down.”
Vick spent 21 months in prison before rejoining the NFL and playing seven more seasons, primarily with the Philadelphia Eagles. He also became an advocate for the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act in 2011, which made it a federal misdemeanor to attend illegal animal fighting and a felony to bring a child.
Vick is now the head football coach at Norfolk State University, where he is 1-2 through his first three games.
“I am blessed and humbled by this opportunity to lead, mentor, and transform the football program at Norfolk State University,” he said in a release when he was hired. “A prestigious HBCU with a rich athletics history, NSU provides a tremendous environment for students to reach their full potential on the field and just as importantly, in the classroom. I am honored to join the Norfolk State family and welcome your support as we embark on this journey together.”
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“As long as Michael Vick’s new position doesn’t put him within shouting distance of any dogs, PETA wishes him no ill,” the animal rights organization told Us Weekly in a statement when news broke that Vick would join the Spartans.
As for Murray, who also wore the Vick jersey to State Farm Stadium on Sunday for the Cardinals’ second game of the season, he is now in his seventh year in the NFL after Arizona took him first overall in the 2019 NFL Draft.
The former Heisman Trophy winner from the University of Oklahoma now has the Cardinals at 2-0 on the young season. He is getting ready to lead his team into a road game on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.
