Vick Gets New Endorsement Deal With Nike

Forbes list of most disliked athletes has a new name: Tiger Woods

(NEWSER) - Michael Vick has been out of federal prison for almost a year , but the Eagles quarterback still has some image-polishing to do: For the second straight year, he tops the Forbes list of most disliked people in sports . New for 2010 are Ben Roethlisberger and how-the-mighty-have-fallen poster child Tiger Woods, the only non-football figure in the top five:

1. Michael Vick: Disliked by 69% of 1,100 poll respondents, "Vick was a popular and dynamic player before the dog-fighting episode" and "still appears poised for a recovery with the public."

Redemption is there in spades, but little talk of horrid crime

(NEWSER) - Critics agree BET's The Michael Vick Project is conveniently focused more on the NFL star's comeback than on the horrid crime that laid him low in the first place. Still, some find the 8-episode "quasi-documentary" appealing:

• Vick presents himself as reformed, Robert Lloyd writes in the Los Angeles Times , but in visiting his old dogfighting compound, he " seems more nostalgic than contrite." No matter. "For many, his redemption will be strictly a matter of his playing football well. And if he doesn't, well, at least he won't be shot, drowned or hanged for it."

(NEWSER) - Not so fast, Michael Vick. A day after the quarterback's agent announced he had been re-signed by Nike, the sneaker company says it's just not true. “Nike does not have a contractual relationship with Michael Vick," said a spokesman. He added, however, that Vick is getting some free shoes. Nike ditched Vick in 2007 amid the dog-fighting scandal, notes CNBC. "This agent put his Air Vick in his mouth," a marketing consultant tells USA Today. More»

He plays QB, receiver in Eagles offense; protests muted

(NEWSER) - Though there was a smattering of protesters both for and against Michael Vick, the convicted dog-killer got a standing ovation from the Philadelphia fans when he made his Eagles debut on their first offensive series of tonight’s exhibition game, the Inquirer reports. Vick lined up at quarterback and wide receiver, completing a key pass in an early scoring drive. More»

NAACP to march at stadium, while SPCA throws 'tailgate' party

(NEWSER) - Michael Vick’s first NFL game since his conviction for dog fighting has triggered strong reactions among animal and civil rights advocates in Philadelphia and they plan to let him know it, AP reports. Before he steps onto the field today as the Eagles’ quarterback, the Pennsylvania SPCA will throw a “tailgate” party across town to support its 2nd Chance Dogs campaign—a stab at Vick, who was granted a second chance by the Eagles. More»