Several upcoming book signings for Michael Vick's new autobiography have been canceled after violent threats against the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback, his family and employees of the participating bookstores, USA Today reported.
Vick was scheduled to appear at Barnes & Noble stores in Georgia, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, as well as at Books & Greetings in Northvale, N.J., to promote his book, Finally Free. His publisher, Worthy Publishing, canceled the events yesterday. In 2007, the former Atlanta Falcons quarterback was implicated in a dogfighting ring and later pled guilty to a number of felony charges and served 19 months in federal prison.
"While we stand by Michael Vick's right to free speech and the retailers' right to free commerce, we cannot knowingly put anyone in harm's way, and therefore we must announce the cancellation of Mr. Vick's book-signing appearances," said Byron Williamson, Worthy Publishing's president, in a press release.
PhillyMag.com said that a recent increase in the threats against Vick and his family may in part be due to Vick again becoming a dog-owner.
