Protesters: Eagles Player Taunted Us

Philadelphia - The situation in Philadelphia between animal-rights protesters and the Eagles is getting uglier.

On Saturday, a small number of protesters stood outside the Philadelphia Eagles’ training facility as players left practice.

One protester said a young Eagles’ player openly mocked the group, a claim that an Eagles’ rep quickly denied to Fox 29.

Most Eagles players left practice without speaking with protesters. It was the first practice in Philadelphia for convicted dog abuser Michael Vick.

But protesters say one Eagles player did speak with them and it wasn’t a pleasant conversation.

They said the player tore down some of their signs.

“He started right in, calling us crazy, ‘don’t you guys have a job,’ ‘why are you guys out here,” said one male protester.

“I said, ‘Rookie, wrong way to start off here in Philadelphia,” added the protester.

Eagles PR told Fox 29 they were “very positive” the man was not an Eagles’ player, but protesters told Fox 29 they were “very positive” the man played for the Eagles.

The group also echoed complaints from the local SPCA that the Eagles and Vick have not reached out to local groups to explain how Vick will help prevent animal abuse in Philadelphia.

“Nobody has a plan, Is he going to give money to shelters or help fostering programs?” asked Patty Bentivegna, a protester.

Jennifer Utley, a local SPCA leader and the wife of Phillies star Chase Utley, told a local newspaper on Saturday that Vick and the Eagles still haven’t reached out to her group.

"I think if you're planning on being conscious of a very sensitive issue it might be positive to (contact us)," Jen Utley told the Delaware County Times. "I don't work for the Eagles. I don't know what their (public relations) department does. I only know that reports said they called us. They didn't."

It may not help that Chase Utley’s on-field partner, Jimmy Rollins, has come out publicly as a big Michael Vick supporter.

"It's good for the city," Rollins said about Vick. "More entertainment."

"He served his time; now he can go play," Rollins told reporters. "I like it that the Eagles gave him a shot to get playing to football, obviously, but are also brave enough to take the chance, and strong enough to (go through the controversy) because they see the bigger picture.”