Kyler Murray drew a bit of attention after a social media post of him wearing a retro Michael Vick jersey alongside his bulldog went viral.
The Cardinals signal-caller is one of many acolytes of Vick, the former Falcons and Eagles star whose dual-threat capabilities helped push the quarterback position forward.
Murray was shown in the post outfitted in Vick's iconic college Virginia Tech jersey with his young pup next to him. The photographs -- initially posted on Murray's Instagram -- brought memories of Vick's controversial dogfighting case.
Here's what you need to know about the controversy surrounding Murray's picture and the apology that followed
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Kyler Murray bulldog picture, explained
Murray was center of controversy on Sept. 16 after he posted pictures of himself posing alongside his bulldog, Trunks, while sporting a vintage Virginia Tech jersey No. 7 Michael Vick jersey.
Kyler really is posted up with a pitbull in a Vick Jersey. Insane work dawgπ pic.twitter.com/ZAt9e9xew2
β Maserati Marv ποΈπ¨ (@MHJera_) September 16, 2025
The post brought up memories of Vick's 2007 arrest and indictment on federal dog-fighting charges. Vick, then 27, was sentenced to 23 months in prison after being found guilty of federal conspiracy charges related to a dogfighting ring that ran out of a property he owned in Surry County, Virginia. He was handed a harsh sentence as U.S. District Court Judge Henry Hudson concluded Vick lied about being directly involved in killing dogs and using marijuana.
Murray deleted the post within hours. He also reportedly blocked an Arizona fan account that publicized the post on X. On Sept. 17, Murray offered an apology while speaking with reporters during his mid-week availability, saying he was opposed to all forms of animal cruelty, including dogfighting.
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"In no way, shape or form do I condone animal cruelty or dog-fighting, whatever it is," Murray said. "For me personally, you all saw me wear the Michael Vick jersey, a player that I admired very much growing up, and then being home with my pup -- my dogs, Trunks and Swoosh, they both get treated like kings, so it's not like I'm condoning that.
"I saw how it affected people and decided to take it down. I apologize to anybody and whoever I affected.β
#Cardinals QB Kyler Murray apologized today for an IG post of him wearing a Michael Vick jersey while posing with one of his pitbulls.
βIn no way, shape or form do I condone animal cruelty or dogfighting.β
Murray has taken down the post.
(π₯ @AZSports)pic.twitter.com/GU1cipsApf
β Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 17, 2025
Michael Vick dogfighting case, explained
In Dec. 2007, Vick was sentenced to 23 months federal prison in December 2007 after pleading guilty one count of criminal conspiracy to operate a dogfighting ring across state lines. The ring, known as "Bad Newz Kennels", operated out of a property owned by Vick in Surry County, Va.
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More than 70 pit bull terriers were seized from the property, with officers reportedly finding "equipment associated with dogfighting, blood stains on the walls of a room, and a bloodstained carpet stashed on the property", according to the Washington Post.
Upon Vick's guilty plea, he was suspended indefinitely without pay by the NFL. He spent 21 months in federal prison in Leavenworth, Kan. -- the same prison Native American activist and leader of the American Indian Movement Leonard Peltier was held in -- before being released in May 2009. He resumed his NFL career in Aug. 2009, playing another seven seasons in the league before retiring in 2015. Vick was named the AP Comeback Player of the Year in 2010 after tallying 30 total touchdowns and more than 3,600 yards of total offense for the Eagles.
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