For a company that claims to be a responsible corporate citizen, Nike has not gone far enough by merely suspending the launch of a new athletic shoe named for Michael Vick. The athletic apparel company needs to go further and halt sales of clothing that calls Vick a "hero."
Vick, of course, is the Atlanta Falcons quarterback who is endorsed by Nike. He was indicted on Tuesday on federal dogfighting charges in one of the most grisly and stomach-turning such cases ever to make headlines. Yet, two days later Nike continued to market a $16 "Vick Hero" tee-shirt to boys in sizes 0 to 18. A similar product is aimed at older youth.
With public pressure mounting, Nike today issued a statement disassociating itself with cruelty to animals. It called the charges against Vick "disturbing" and added, "we consider any cruelty to animals inhumane and abhorrent." Because of this, Nike said today it "made the decision to suspend the release of the Zoom Vick V and related marketing communications."
But why continue to try and wring a profit from shirts that label Vick a hero for boys? Why sell other shoes named for him?
"Michael Vick is no hero. A string of dead, wounded and suffering animals has been left along the Eastern Seaboard as a consequence of this dogfighting ring. Federal authorities have charged Vick with felony offenses. This is no moment to tell America's youth to look up to such a man," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States.
The HSUS has assisted in the investigation that resulted in Tuesday's indictments.
In a prepared statement, Nike said that Vick should be afforded the same due process as any citizen. That, of course, is true. But if he is unworthy of launching a new shoe in his name at this moment, he is similarly unworthy of being called a "hero" for boys and youth.
Americans are outraged by this case. And they can rightfully be furious at Nike for taking a half-way step that falls short of common sense and decency.
Nike needs to pull its Vick clothing and shoes from retailers and from its website, and move to suspend its support for the athlete. This is the second effort by the HSUS to bring Nike to its senses. Americans will tolerate no effort – commercial or otherwise – to glorify this bloody and illegal spectacle. Dogfighting is a felony in 48 states, and also a federal crime. Still, in the urban underground dogfighting remains a surging criminal enterprise with an estimated 40,000 people involved. These illegal pits of blood and suffering are no place for a corporate name like Nike.
The HSUS has also called on NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to suspend Vick.
-30-
The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization – backed by 10 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty -- On the web at www.humanesociety.org
