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Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has issued an apology after posing next to his pit bull while paying tribute to a former player who was once jailed for organizing dogfights.
Murray, who is in his seventh season with the Cardinals, sparked outrage by sharing a photo of himself wearing ex-NFL quarterback Michael Vick's No 7 Virginia Tech jersey alongside one of his two dogs before quickly deleting it.
Vick agreed to a plea deal back in 2007 after being indicted on charges of financing and participating in a dogfighting ring, which saw him spend 21 months in a federal prison. His indictment led to the seizure of 70 animals.
'In no way, shape or form do I condone animal cruelty or dog-fighting, whatever it is,' Murray told reporters on Thursday. 'For me personally, y’all saw me wear the Michael Vick jersey, a player I admired very much growing up. And then being home with my pups, my dog Trunks and Swoosh, they both get treated like kings. So in no way, shape or form am I condoning that.
'But yes, I saw how it affected people and decided to take it down. I apologize to anybody and whoever I affected.'
As part of his plea deal, which he took while on the Atlanta Falcons' books, Vick took responsibility for financing the dogfighting operation and also playing a part in the death of some dogs.
Kyler Murray has apologized for paying tribute to an ex-player who once organized dogfights
Ex-NFL quarterback Michael Vick was jailed back in 2007 for financing a dogfighting ring
The NFL reinstated him following his release from prison in 2009, before he went on to play for another seven years in the league with the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers.
The four-time Pro Bowler, who is now the head coach of Norfolk State, eventually went on to advocate against dogfighting and lobbied for the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act in 2011.
Murray, meanwhile, remains with the Cardinals after being selected by the team with the first overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Despite being named Offensive Rookie of the Year at the end of his debut campaign, the former Oklahoma college star has endured a difficult few years in Arizona, only making it to the playoffs on one occasion in 2021 - when they were beaten in the Wild Card round by the Los Angeles Rams.
In 83 appearances for the Cardinals, Murray has recorded 19,661 passing yards for 117 touchdowns and a completion rate of 67.1 percent, as well as 3,058 rushing yards and 31 rushing touchdowns.
