Days after Michael Vick was named head coach at Norfolk State, the largest animal rights group expressed its displeasure with the career move for the former NFL star.
PETA President Ingrid Newkirk released a statement to Fox News that called Vick “a charismatic psychopath” in reaction to the news that he had landed a coaching job.
“After interviewing him at PETA’s office in Norfolk, Virginia, while his sentence was under consideration, and hearing him tell me bold-faced lies about his poor dogs, I came to believe that he’s a charming, charismatic, psychopath, but since I believe he won’t fight dogs ever again, PETA is focusing on working with law enforcement to bust those who still do,” Newkirk said.
PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has criticized Vick following his involvement in dogfighting when he was in the NFL.
Vick was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison before returning to the NFL to play for the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers. He retired from the NFL after the 2017 season.
The former quarterback has spoken out against dogfighting through the Humane Society of the United States, and he has advocated for penalties against those who willingly spectate illegal animal fights.
Vick is set to take over a Norfolk State program that went 4-8 this season.
