Petition Aims To Keep Vick Out Of Jets' Training Camp In Cortland
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- There are some people who just won't let Michael Vick's past go.
A little more than 1,600 of them, according to the most recent count.
A new petition aimed at SUNY Cortland is trying to force the school to deny Vick access to Jets training camp, which will be held in late July and early August.
The petition, hosted on the website Change.org, is addressed to Erik J. Bitterbaum, the school's president. It reads, in part:
"He (Vick) is a monster and a disgrace, and has never once apologized. He has even admitted that he would continue to fight dogs if given the chance. If we welcome Vick onto our campus, we are complicit in his crimes," the petition reads. "We are sending the message that, for money and publicity, we will turn a blind eye to the horrors of dogfighting."
As of 3:30 p.m. Monday the petition had 1,638 signatures. The Jets declined comment and the university did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Vick served 19 months in prison after pleading guilty to a federal dogfighting conspiracy charge in 2007.
Upon his release Vick was reinstated by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and eventually signed on with the Philadelphia Eagles. He was the third string quarterback that season and moved up to backup prior to the 2010 season before taking the starting job and leading the Eagles to an 8-3 record. For his efforts he was rewarded with the starting job and a six-year extension just prior to the 2011 season.
Vick was solid in 2011, but struggled with inconsistency and injuries over the nest two seasons, playing in only 17 games. He completed 54.6 percent of his passes for 1,215 yards and five touchdowns in seven games last season. He was turnover-prone, however, throwing three interceptions and fumbling four times.
He was then cut in the offseason.
Now 33, Vick signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the Jets on March 21 and was given assurances he would get an opportunity to compete against incumbent Geno Smith for the starting job.
For his 11-year career, Vick has thrown for more than 21,000 yards with 128 touchdowns and 85 interceptions, to go along with 5,857 yards, 36 touchdowns and 7.1 yards per carry on the ground.
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