Animal rights activists protest outside Vick’s news conference

About 20 protesters angered at Michael Vick joining the Eagles demonstrated this morning outside the NovaCare Center in South Philadelphia as the quarterback made his first appearance before the city's news media.

Inside, Vick apologized for his past involvement in cruelty to dogs and said he planned to be active in efforts to end animal cruelty in Philadelphia.

Nate Madison, 17, came from Hatboro with his rottweiler Neo to take part in the protest.

"If he wants another shot at life, he should get a real job," said Madison. "He shouldn't have the privilege of playing NFL football."

"Now he represents Philadelphia. It's disgusting," said Jackic Cioci, 18, who came with Madison from Hatboro.

Madison said, "If someone in Vick's world would have had my dog, they'd treat him as a bait dog. He'd be chewed up and killed."

The protesters were orderly and held signs provided by staff from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty Animals.

Some of the signs said: "Vick is sick," "No love in Philly," and "Why did Jeff Lurie and Joe Banner condone this."

Lurie is the team's owner and Banner its president.

A couple of Vick supporters also showed up at the gate to the NovaCare Center.

Chris Cabrera, 33, came from Merchantville, N.J., with his brown pit pull terrier Python wearing a red Vick's jersey.

"He deserves a second chance," Cabrera said. "He's done his time. You can't bergrudge a guy his livlihood. When you do that it only makes things worse."

Wearing an Eagles cap with flapping wings, Lamont Anderson, 40, of South Philadelphia, said people upset at Vick joining the team "are going to to come around if the Eagles have a good season."

"His punishment is over and done with," he said. "It's time to give him a second chance."