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| [PHOTO: ©PETA/Tyler Jason] |
Buffalo, New York: The Bills' season just ended, but Shawne Merriman's new
role—as a PETA spokesmodel—has just begun. To encourage everyone to keep fur
out of their winter wardrobes, the defensive end has teamed up with PETA for a
brand-new ad campaign in which he shows off his tattoos—including,
appropriately, the words "Heart of Gold" on his chest—next to the
caption "Ink, Not Mink. Be Comfortable in Your Own Skin, and Let Animals
Keep Theirs."
The ad was shot by top photographer Tyler Jason.
"Shawne Merriman is a tough opponent on the field, but
it's as plain as the words on his chest that he has a heart of gold for
animals," says PETA Senior Vice President Lisa Lange. "Football's a
rough sport, but as PETA's undercover videos show, it has nothing on the
violence of the fur industry."
PETA and Merriman want consumers to know, “Every year,
millions of foxes, minks, and rabbits—and even cats and dogs—are beaten,
electrocuted, and strangled for their pelts. Many are skinned alive. For every
piece of fur—whether it's a full-length coat or a bit of trim on a collar or
cuff—animals suffered immensely.”
Merriman joins a growing list of top athletes—including
Terrell Suggs, Willis McGahee, Chris Andersen, Chad Ochocinco, Amar'e
Stoudemire, Tony Gonzalez, Aaron Curry, Michael Strahan, Gilbert Arenas,
"Sugar" Shane Mosley, and Tito Ortiz—who have teamed up with PETA to
promote kindness toward animals.