Kyler Murray apologized for an image in a since-removed Instagram post in which the Arizona Cardinals quarterback is posing with his pit bull in a throwback Michael Vick No. 7 Virginia Tech jersey.
Vick spent 21 months in a federal prison after a 2007 plea deal for financing and participating in a dogfighting ring.
A Cardinals fan account under the profile of Maserati Marv, a reference to second-year wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., posted two pictures of the Murray photo shoot.
Murray, 28, apologized after many reacted with disbelief and negative comments poured in via social media.
“In no way, shape or form do I condone animal cruelty or dogfighting or whatever it is,” Murray said. “For me personally, y’all saw me wear the Michael Vick jersey, a player I admired very much growing up. … My dogs, Trunks and Swoosh, they both get treated like kings. In no way, shape or form am I condoning that. I saw how it affected people and decided to take it down.”
Murray, the No. 1 pick in the 2019 draft, is in his seventh NFL season. The Cardinals are off to a 2-0 start and play agaainst the host San Francisco 49ers (2-0) on Sunday.