They say that every dog has its day, but on National Dog Day, some Steelers fans were soured at the team's signing of Michael Vick.
Pittsburgh struck a one-year deal with the quarterback, who served two years in prison after pleading guilty to federal conspiracy charges in 2007 for his role in a dogfighting ring. With National Dog Day being celebrated on Wednesday on social media by several happy pet owners, the mood turned sour in Pittsburgh.
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Vick has played in six seasons in the NFL since serving his time in prison, five with the Eagles and one with the Jets. He'll now serve as Ben Roethlisberger's backup, but not everyone is happy.
Protestors gathered outside of the Steelers' practice facility on Wednesday armed with signs to share their displeasure over the signing of Vick.
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"Jail time is not enough," one sign read, according to ESPN. "Ban Vick from football."
Another sign alluded to Roethlisberger's past off-field issues when he was accused of sexual assault in 2008. "FIRST, BEN ... NOW, VICK ... WHAT NEXT," the sign read.
The protestors were four women who work with the "Justice for Animals" initiative and were hoping to send a message to the Steelers organization.
"This move is embarrassing. It's upsetting. I'm angry," Natalie Ahwesh, a Steelers season ticket holder, told ESPN. "I'm not going to be able to go to the games and have fun and watch with my family. The season is ruined for me as long as he's on the team."
Ahwesh also said the women gathered together outside of the facility "to show the Steelers we don't approve of this."
Since his past legal issues, Vick has worked with the Humane Society and he said he will look to work for local dog advocacy groups in Pittsburgh once he is settled in. The four-time Pro Bowler also said he is trying to put his past behind him and knows his goal now is to "get a ring."
The protestors plan on expressing their disapproval at more practices during training camp, but Vick is just trying to move on by atoning for his past misdeeds.
"After going through what I went through, what transpired, the best thing to do is to try to make amends for what I did," Vick told ESPN. "I can't take it back. Only thing I can do is try to inform the masses of kids to not go down the same road I went down."
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