NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell doesn't see Michael Vick's status changing as a 2020 Pro Bowl Legends Captain. The move to put him as a captain received a lot of pushback from animal rights activists who started online petitions to get him removed as a captain.
Goodell was asked to touch on the subject during a press conference at the league’s quarterly ownership meetings, and he said he thinks that Vick has paid his price for his past.
He also pointed out how Vick has tried to work with groups to make sure others don't make the same mistakes he has made.
“[O]ver the last what is it? Nine years or so? I have supported Michael, and I think his recognition of a mistake that he made,” Goodell said, via Pro Football Talk. “He’s paid a heavy price for that. He has been accountable for it. He’s worked aggressively with the Humane Society and other institutions to deal with animal rights and to make sure people don’t make the same mistake he made. And I admire that. I know that there are people out there who will never forgive him. He knows that. But I think this is a young man that has really taken his life in a positive direction, and we support that. So I don’t anticipate any change, no.”
Vick ran a multi-year dogfighting ring before being caught and, in turn, spending 17 months in prison. Since getting out of prison, he has worked closely with the humane society, but some don't believe that is enough. It doesn't appear that the NFL, at least at this point, has any plans to change their decision.