Upper Deck Pulling Michael Vick Cards and Memorabilia from the Market

First Major Sports Card Manufacturer to Make This Decision

Finding Michael Vick football cards this year might have gotten quite a bit tougher. Upper Deck one of the major sports card manufacturers has announced that they will be removing Michael Vick cards from this year's releases by Upper Deck. According to a press release from Upper Deck, this removal of cards will begin with their Ultimate Collection Football Set, which was due for release in October. The press release also indicated that all Michael Vick cards for Fleer sets will be removed this season as well.

Removing this year's cards though is not the only step Upper Deck is taking to distant themselves from the embattled NFL star quarterback. Upper Deck has also announced in the press release they will pull all authenticated memorabilia from Vick off their website store. Some of these items include signed footballs, jerseys, helmets, and Upper Deck's original "breaking through" product with Vick featured.

Michael Vick was indicted by a grand jury on charges stemming from dog fighting which he was allegedly involved in at the home he owns in Virginia. Vick entered a "not guilty plea" on July 26th and the trial is set to start in late November at this time. The NFL has told Vick not to show up for Atlanta Falcons training camp, and that a decision about his further future will be made after the league researches the facts involved in this case.

It is not known at this point if other card and memorabilia manufacturers will follow along the same lines that Upper Deck is taking and remove Vick's cards from their football sets this season. Animal rights groups such as PETA and The Humane Society have been very vocal about their opposition of the alleged actions of Mr. Vick and have called for action from the NFL and companies that Mr. Vick is associated with in the way of endorsements.