AdvertisingAge posted a story on its Web site Friday saying that disgraced quarterback Michael Vick was in discussions to become the new spokesman for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. The site even cited three sources to support its story.
PETA's reply: Not so fast.
In a statement on its own site later in the day, PETA said it had already withdrawn an offer for Vick to do a TV public-service announcement opposing dogfighting.
"What can I say?" wrote Shawna Flavell, who posted the PETA blog. "You can't believe everything you read."
AdAge claimed that Vick, who is scheduled for release from prison May 20 for his role in a dogfighting operation, was hoping that partnering with PETA would rehabilitate his public image and speed his return to professional football.
Dan Shannon, PETA's director of youth outreach and campaigns, was even quoted saying, "We have been in discussions with Michael Vick, with his management team, about the possibility of him putting out a public-service announcement with PETA when he's out of jail. We want him to discourage people from taking part in dogfighting."
But if the PETA Web site is to be believed - the post is titled "Setting the Record Straight on Michael Vick" - any announcement about Vick representing the organization is unlikely.
Flavell wrote that PETA opted out of a partnership with Vick last December after a U.S. Department of Agriculture report claimed that Vick had put "family pets" in the ring with his Pit Bulls. It asked that Vick undergo a brain scan and full psychological evaluation before playing in the NFL again.
That's probably not going to happen - nor is Vick going to work as a PETA spokesman.
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