Michael Vick First Endorsement Since Arrest: Eagles QB Signs With Unequal Technologies

PHILADELPHIA — Michael Vick is back pitching products.

Vick has signed his first endorsement contract since his release from prison. The Philadelphia Eagles' Pro Bowl quarterback inked a two-year contract with Unequal Technologies, a provider of the football pads Vick wore most of last season.

The deal will be announced on Thursday.

"We're real excited about it," chief executive officer Rob Vito said Tuesday. "Michael is good people. He paid his dues. President Obama reached out to him. He deserves an opportunity. This is what makes America so great. He's moved forward. He's a whole other person."

Vito said Vick is the company's first corporate spokesman. Terms of his deal weren't disclosed. But Vito said it's a "sizable" contract.

"We believe it was worth it," he said, "because of Michael Vick and how he can shed light on the technology of our products."

Unequal Technologies makes several shock-blocking sports pads. When Vick returned after missing three games with a rib injury, he wore a vest designed by Unequal. He later wore shoulder pads and thigh pads made by the company.

"The Unequal technology is a part of my game now and I won't play without my Unequal," Vick said in a statement acquired by the Associated Press. "Unequal's protective power gives me a whole new level of confidence in my game. It makes me feel invincible."

Vick was once the NFL's highest-paid player and he endorsed many products during his six seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. But Vick lost everything following his 2007 arrest on dogfighting charges, for which he served 18 months in federal prison.

He returned to the NFL in 2009 with the Eagles, and worked his way from a seldom-used third-string quarterback to the key cog on a division-winning team. He will start for the NFC in the Pro Bowl this weekend.

Vick appeared in a television commercial for a car dealership last month. However, he didn't get paid for it. He was compensated by having use of a Nissan sport utility vehicle.

Comments

[armagh]

02:32 PM on 02/01/2011

Unequal Technology makes football equipment. Just don't buy the equipment. And make sure that the highschool your children attend does not buy the equipment. And that any school you attended does not buy it. In fact, offer to donate to your school BECAUSE they pledge NOT to buy the equipment. If they do buy it, make sure everyone knows who and what they are supporting through their purchases. Suggest they return the equipment.

It's all about the money. Money talks.

[susangg]

03:11 PM on 01/31/2011

"Good people?" No, Vick is a piece of human slime who deserves to live the rest of his life in a small cell on a chain. He'd still be better off than the dogs he tortured. 23 months in Club Fed? That's a joke. People do that much time for writing bad checks or selling $50 worth of weed.
I will never buy anything that he endorses, and I will make it a point to write to the company who buys his "services" and tell them why.
"Reputation management" as rehabilitation....yeah right....

[Willow Antion]

09:08 AM on 01/29/2011

Is this what remorse look like? is this what "redemption" means to you? How gullible can you be?

From best Friends Animal Society, who had the task of rehabilitating 22 of Vick's horrifically damaged and severely traumatized dogs:

"Best Friends took 22 of Vick’s 48 seized dogs and the only contact we’ve received from Vick or his representatives was by way of some overtures from his agent, one of his attorneys and a PR firm specializing in reputation rehabilitation.

They were interested in some public glad handing that would put Vick in a favorable light with the NFL, which at the time was still considering whether or not to reinstate him. We declined.

Best Friends has never heard from Michael Vick or any of his representatives inquiring after the health or well being of any of the 22 dogs that we received from his fighting ring."

[BGDiNLV]

10:08 AM on 01/29/2011

That entire statement is a contradiction....

Best Friends has never heard from Michael Vick or any of his representa­tives inquiring after the health or well being of any of the 22 dogs that we received from his fighting ring." .

Okay but...


Best Friends took 22 of Vick’s 48 seized dogs and the only contact we’ve received from Vick or his representa­tives was by way of some overtures from his agent, one of his attorneys and a PR firm specializi­ng in reputation rehabilita­tion.

And then ...

We declined.

Which is it? They heard from him or not? Or did they hear from his attorney PR person? Which one is it? And of course he was doing glad handing. If they chose not to deal with Vick,then I truly understand. But once the ORGANIZATION declined,then be quiet about the situation. You took yourself out of the equation. Because he reached out for whatever reason,and you said NO! So like I say.. move on.

[BruntLIVE]

06:53 PM on 01/27/2011

White rage is all over this room? What out of a job? Poor? STD? What is wrong with White America? You hating VIck will not solve this problem.

[BGDiNLV]

10:10 AM on 01/29/2011

OUCH!! Truth stings huh?

[MemphisBuffalo]

04:13 PM on 01/27/2011

He did torture several dogs to death hanging them, drowning, and electrical torture. He needs to be in a mental hospital.

[obamafarrakhanlover]

04:41 PM on 01/27/2011

yes he did and he paid for his crimes....alot of people believe that your the one that needs to be in a mental institution under heavy sedation being that your preoccupied with reminding us of what some guy you don't even know did who's did his time,restitution and moved on in his life you r a. ci.s t/nar.cis sist sick individual

[MemphisBuffalo]

10:20 AM on 01/28/2011

Would you feel the same if he was white? Think not you r a c i s t!

[BGDiNLV]

10:11 AM on 01/29/2011

What about the people that did that to my family back in the 40's and 50"s? Are they sick too? Or is that just how it was? You tell me

[Derick Mcmillan]

03:03 PM on 01/27/2011

everyone here needs to completely understand..that "VICK" Made a complete fool of himself by being involved in this type of thing ....but you all should not be so judge..mental.so self pleasing ..so blah...just relax" he will still make his $....{imab}...

[ruolivert]

03:40 PM on 01/27/2011

He would have made a fool of himself if he got caught with a prostitute. What he did was expose himself as someone with little regard for life. When you read a little more in depth into the thing he was involved with, the hangin, drowing, and beating of dogs to death, its more then just an embarrasing gaffe. He enjoyed hurting animals and profitted from it

[JohnnyLawson]

05:08 PM on 01/27/2011

yeah, "DID"..past tense..get over it!

[BGDiNLV]

10:12 AM on 01/29/2011

Sounds ike how our country was built!!!

[dijital6]

01:36 PM on 01/27/2011

This is an interesting site. A lot you guys are here solely to argue.

Amazing ,,,

[obamafarrakhanlover]

01:56 PM on 01/27/2011

dayum right we are and I am ready to take some vickhater's h.eads off

[BGDiNLV]

10:13 AM on 01/29/2011

Right here BABY!!!!

[BGDiNLV]

10:15 AM on 01/29/2011

Let me know if you need helo! Ha Ha.

[lmab]

02:33 PM on 01/27/2011

Especially when you come here and act like a total doos hbag.....talking about kicking your dog.
Get lost.

[dijital6]

02:47 PM on 01/27/2011

If I got lost,,, you'd find me and insult me with your bullsh@t.

[ethiopia1a]

01:31 PM on 01/27/2011

Mike Vick is human as the rest of us are we make mistake. I think he should deserve a second chance he is very talented and has a lot to give to the NFL. Those of you that don't like it find something else to watch when he's on that your loss because he will be doing his thing regardless of what you negative people think

[Red Russet]

01:48 PM on 01/27/2011

I hate to tell you, but his was a pretty big mistake, with jail time.

[ruolivert]

03:38 PM on 01/27/2011

The problem for me is that he is doing his thing despite the things he spent most of his life doing. This isn't about second chances since too many people don't get a first chance. To say that Vick deserves anything is honestly disrespectful to the millions of people who go through their lives with out making the kinds of mistakes he made a will never get the chance to make a fraction of living he does.

[CaptainSunshine]

05:41 PM on 01/27/2011

"To say that Vick deserves anything is honestly disrespect­ful to the millions of people who go through their lives with out making the kinds of mistakes he made a will never get the chance to make a fraction of living he does."

Life's no fair. You can't run 40 yards in 4.3 seconds. You can't jump 38" vertically. You can't throw a football 70 yards flat footed.

Watching you play football wouldn't be worth the price of a NFL ticket.

Envy is unbecoming.

[Brandon Burns]

12:28 PM on 01/27/2011

Who are some of yall to say Mike doesnt feel sorry, thats something only he knows. This is the greatest comeback story in my short 23yr lifetime, now im just waiting for the movie.

[ruolivert]

03:38 PM on 01/27/2011

Are you going to tell your kids to be like Michael Vick? Or tell them that its ok to committ heinous felonies because the world will give you a second chance but only if your a supremely talented athlete.

[obamafarrakhanlover]

03:46 PM on 01/27/2011

well sinice you put it like that 'ah hell yea'...of course if you spend time with your kids and teach them right from wrong and to be a leader and not a follower they should turn out all right and if for some untold reason they do make some mistakes don't turn your back on em but continue to support them inspite of because love covers a multitude of sin...love conquors all,

[Supersteel]

12:23 PM on 01/27/2011

i thought it would take longer to rehabilitate him but eventually having done the time, i would expect him to be integrated back into society. I would guess the people who buy the product he is endorsing are not the types to be forever turned off by him
 
and while his crime was horrific i dont think it's an unforgiveable crime. To me anyway.

[Elrancho2]

10:32 AM on 01/27/2011

Those who are out for Michael Vick's blood and "will never forgive him" are really no better than what they claim him to be. Their lust for revenge and their resentment that he should have a life at all (even after his jail time and public apology) display the very worst kind of human emotions. I absolutely love animals and have two dogs. I think what he participated in was horrible but I find the venom towards him far more evil. I suspect a lot of it has to do with the fact that he's a successful, beautiful and talented man who happens to be black.

[lmab]

10:57 AM on 01/27/2011

I think that your lust is showing....along with your lgnorance.

[obamafarrakhanlover]

02:13 PM on 01/27/2011

and i think Elrancho stepped on your toes which is a good thing might I add

[lmab]

03:23 PM on 01/27/2011

"might I add? I doubt it!

[sophiemaki]

12:45 PM on 01/27/2011

i just read thru most of the comments on this thread....the hate was evident.
..not directed towards Michael Vick.
most people agree: he served his time and it is great ... he can live his life .
just because an individual does not "forgive " him: does not they have a "lust for revenge".
that is very ignorant. of you.
most people wish him the best, i know i do ....... but i still do not forgive him...
( but it is not up to me or anyone else , to forgive him or not).
it has nothing to do with beautiful. talent or race..
if he were my neighbor......he would be the first person i would ask to take care of my dogs. ...if i went out of town..
is that hard to understand? for you.

[Elrancho2]

04:55 PM on 01/27/2011

Your poor grammar makes anything you have to say rather hard to understand.

[KnowzyRowzy]

10:04 AM on 01/27/2011

Good for you Mike!

[lustforlife802]

08:53 AM on 01/27/2011

Waiting for the *every dog has its day* comment

[colah]

08:41 AM on 01/27/2011

Yesterday, while eating my ham & bacon wrapped 1/2 lb burger with turkey bits, tuna oil dressing & grated shellfish on a double chicken breast bun, I thought of how terrible the things were that Vick did.
Then I took another yummy bite.

[Renee Johnson]

11:01 AM on 01/27/2011

NOW THAT I LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO MIKE!!! WELCOME BACK!!

[Supersteel]

12:23 PM on 01/27/2011

i never ate something like that lol that seems excessive

[lmab]

08:25 AM on 01/27/2011

Are you feeling the love Mike? So many here think that you are just swell. Why is that? I know that you are inhumane and brutal. Now I'll wait for your apologists to jump on me like I just killed my dog.....oops.....bad example.

[colah]

08:42 AM on 01/27/2011

yawn

[lmab]

10:44 AM on 01/27/2011

Know what you mean. I've read your posts.

[lmab]

10:45 AM on 01/27/2011

Dooshb@g. So what?