Sporting goods chain Dick's says it won't stock Michael Vick jerseys

Dick's Sporting Goods, the largest publicly traded athletic store chain in the country, won't be selling football jerseys modeled after Michael Vick's anytime soon.

"We have not seen enough demand from Eagles fans to stock the jersey," Jeff Hennion, the company's chief marketing officer, said in an interview with Bloomberg News. "We have no problem stocking the jersey if the demand is there." 

Hennion told Bloomberg that Dick's plans to use calls to its customer service center, searches on its website and in-store requests in the greater Philadelphia area to determine the level of consumer demand for the jerseys.

Another large jersey retailer, NFLShop.com, doesn't share Hennion's level of caution.  Not only can shoppers purchase Vick jerseys for themselves on the site -- they can also purchase jerseys for their dogs. 

A Vick jersey?  For a dog?  Regardless of one's feelings on redemption and the sobering effects that nearly two years in a federal penitentiary may have had on the troubled football star, the idea seems ghoulish.  What gives?  The Philadelphia Inquirer has the details:

"Just as you could with any other player, you can buy a customizable jersey for a dog with anybody's name on it," said league spokesman Greg Aiello.

Aiello said there are some names that the NFLShop would not accept -- "Badnewz," the name of Vick's former kennel, among them.

"But just to have Michael Vick's name on the back is not an issue," Aiello said. "Vick is working with the Humane Society and speaking out for the proper treatment of animals, so we don't see a problem."

One company that specializes in sports-themed dog apparel, Hot Dog Collars, has taken its anti-Vick stance to another level entirely. After the Philadelphia Eagles signed the quarterback, the company posted a statement on its website announcing that it had discontinued selling Eagles-themed pet products. 

-- Lindsay Barnett

Photo: Michael Vick in an exhibition game between the Eagles and the New York Jets. Credit: Ed Mulholland / US Presswire

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Comments

[Johnw]

Who cares what "Dicks" will or will not sell? They are trying to pretend as though they are above the almighty dollar that keeps their employees paying their bills. Truth is, When Mike Vick becomes a starter next year wherever he is employed they will sell the jersey and if not.....WHO CARES? I would rather buy from a company that doesn't act as though they are "taking the high road" when in fact are only doing so because as of today they do not need the finacial gain that would come from selling the 7 jersey. So good luck Dick! You have lost a customer for life.

[Julia]

Dick's Sporting Goods not only keeps my business - I will increase my buying. Not often I see a business willing to hold to what is right.

[Jenni13]

Bravo!! I will be buying items from both Dick's and Hot Dog Collars this weekend in support of their stance on dog torturer and murderer Vick.

[Jaime]

You can call Dick's and thank them for NOT selling this jersey. Call 877-846-9997, then hit 3. Tell them thank you, they are recording how many calls they get about it...

Jaime

[Lisa Bowman]

Awesome!!! Thank you very much for your support!!!