Now Michael Vick is even speaking out against virtual dogfighting.
Dog Wars, a game created for the Android mobile platform, has met with objections from the Eagles quarterback and the Humane Society.
"I've come to learn the hard way that dogfighting is a dead-end street," Vick said in a statement released Monday. "Now, I am on the right side of this issue, and I think it's important to send the smart message to kids, and not glorify this form of animal cruelty, even in an Android app."
Because Dog Wars has players condition dogs to fight, "this game may be a virtual training ground for would-be dogfighters. Its timing and message are all wrong," said Wayne Pacelle, Humane Society president.
Kage Games defended its app in a statement:
"Remember: It is just a video game. . . . Go complain to someone who cares about Call of Duty, Grand Theft Auto, Weed Farmer, Smoke A Bowl . . . and maybe even Sierra's Leisure Suit Larry from 1987."
After serving 18 months in prison on federal charges related to running a dogfighting operation in Virginia, Vick has worked with the Humane Society to share his anti-dogfighting message at many schools.
Vick has been making other video-game news as well. If online voters pick him over Cleveland Browns running back Peyton Hillis, he will be on the cover of Madden NFL 12, the next edition of the hugely popular pro football game. The winner will be announced Wednesday at 4 p.m. on ESPN.
