Petition seeks to keep Michael Vick from playing for Pittsburgh Steelers

No matter where Michael Vick goes, he can never get away from his 2007 conviction for his role in a dog-fighting ring.

A Change.org petition launched two days ago has already received nearly 20,000 signatures Thursday from individuals in support of keeping “Vick from ever wearing the coveted Steelers uniform!!”

Vick caught a break earlier this week when the unemployed quarterback was signed to a one-year deal by the Pittsburgh Steelers to backup Ben Roethlisberger.

“I’m hoping I get a chance to go out there and play,” Vick said, according to Pittsburgh’s website. “That’s what I would like to do. That’s what I dreamed about when I was sitting at home on the couch a month ago watching preseason games. I just hoped and wished and prayed I’d get back out there.”

With any luck for the Steelers, Vick will see little to no time on the field. Still, some fans have created a petition to make sure he never represents Pittsburgh.

The Steelers announced Vick’s signing Tuesday after putting longtime Steelers backup Bruce Gradkowski on injured reserve because of a finger injury.

“Obviously you’re sensitive to those particular things, but we’re going to do our due diligence,” Mike Tomlin said after the signing. “He has done a lot since some of the things that he has gone through. His track record to this point speaks for itself.”

Vick served 21 months in federal prison for his crimes and declared bankruptcy in 2008.

The timing of Vick’s signing probably couldn’t have been worse though, with Wednesday being #NationalDogDay.

Follow Matt Wilhalme on Twitter @mattwilhalme