Dogfighting and Kids Meals? Vick's Lovin' It!

Forget the Hamburglar! McDonald's is promoting its products using an actual convicted felon -- Michael Vick.
McDonalds
A TMZ employee went into a McD's in Hollywood yesterday and ordered a Happy Meal (don't ask). The box she received (pictured above) advertises six different electronic sports games, each of them named after a famous athlete. But Michael Vick is the only one of those athletes who is currently in federal prison.

The advertising was part of a cross-promotion with ESPN from 2004 -- back when Vick was just an overrated football player, instead of a dog murderer. Considering the Happy Meal is specifically targeted to young kids, you'd think Mickey D's would be more diligent about removing the name of a convicted dogfighter off the packaging.

We've contacted McDonald's for comment and they say they're getting back to us. This should be good.

UPDATE: We asked PETA what they thought about the whole thing. PETA's vice president, Bruce Friedrich, told us, "Given that McDonald's lets its suppliers cram animals into metal cages and crates and boil chickens alive, it's sad, but doesn't shock us, and at this point, even Michael Vick himself would probably rather that this particular Happy Meal would be a happy memory."

Filed under: Wacky & Weird, Talk Sports

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Reader Comments

(Page 1 of 3) | 1 | 2 | 3 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

1. The hamburger in the Happy Meal was actually made from one of Vick's dogs.

Posted at 1:57PM on Oct 9th 2008 by Leroy

2. That's just sick. Michael Vick needs to die for what he did to those poor animals.

Posted at 1:57PM on Oct 9th 2008 by Cristina

3. just glad the happy meal doesn't have a hot dog version, this is really bad....

Posted at 2:00PM on Oct 9th 2008 by Adrienne

4. HAHAHA! OOPS!

Posted at 2:01PM on Oct 9th 2008 by American Woman

5. Buy them up people as I'm sure they'll be considered collectors items some day. LoL to #1

Posted at 2:02PM on Oct 9th 2008 by Boom stick

6. What female doesn't buy happy meals? So no need for the don't ask.

Posted at 2:07PM on Oct 9th 2008 by me

7. Kick rocks, TMZ! Stop kicking people when they're already down and take up deeper issues....like how PEOPLE are being treated in this world. I personally hope that when he gets out, he can go right back to what you call his "overrated" career; since, of course, TMZ would be the experts in overratedness. So, on behalf of Michael Vick....kiss his happy meal a**. BTW, all you dog-loving, happy meal eating carnivores may need to really investigate what's between those happy, Mcbuns.....you're probably eating some of Vick's little victims!!!!!!!! Which I'm having great pleasure just thinking of that possiblility.

Posted at 2:18PM on Oct 9th 2008 by Gigi

8. Damn when are they gonna have them lil handhelds in MA?????
Your employee is totally on a budget!!!!

Posted at 2:27PM on Oct 9th 2008 by MsDoloD81

9. Thanks for pointing this out, TMZ. Can't wait to hear what Micky D's has to say for themselves. Meanwhile, I will just have to fight off my Big Mac attacks (I know it's gross but I LOVE them).

Posted at 2:33PM on Oct 9th 2008 by Claire

10. LETS PUT SARAH PALIN ON THE BAG. THERE BURGERS TASTE LIKE MOOSE MEAT.

Posted at 2:45PM on Oct 9th 2008 by SARA

11. This is why the charge $.25 cents for a cup of water...WATER! Too bad their stock hasn't gone the way of Ford and GM

Posted at 2:48PM on Oct 9th 2008 by TheLiveSoundGuy

12. #11 If u think dog fighting isn't wrong u need 2 pull your head
out of your a** Pit Bulls r the sweetest, most loyal dogs around
and SICK ASS people like Vick give the breed a bad name.
Pits r not born ready 2 fight they r breed 2 to do it.
Pits r not born mean they r breed 2 be mean.
What that man did 2 those dogs is sick & he
deserves 2 be in jail. You should learn something
about the breed before commenting. No dog
should be put trough that.

Posted at 3:03PM on Oct 9th 2008 by mamaj

13. This is absolutely unbelievable! Just another reason showing how out of touch McDonald's actually is with this country. The person who gave the go-ahead for this project should be fired... SERIOUSLY!

Posted at 3:19PM on Oct 9th 2008 by OFFENDED1

14. Is the economy so bad that McD's is resurrecting a four-year-old "prize" and not even revamping it? Guess they had a bunch of these in the warehouse, and they can't afford new ones.

Posted at 3:34PM on Oct 9th 2008 by Chapala Lago

15. Thank you for your interest in contacting McDonald’s. 1-800-244-6227.



Write us. Our U.S.

corporate mailing address is:
McDonald’s Corporation
2111 McDonald's Dr
Oak Brook, IL 60523

Posted at 3:37PM on Oct 9th 2008 by Danial

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