A nation divided; Steelers fans split on Pittsburgh Steelers QB Michael Vick

Earlier today, we jumped all over the story of Michael Vick's planned visit with the Pittsburgh Steelers and whether or not Vick would be ready to join the most successful NFL franchise of the Super Bowl era. If you were in the comment sections of those threads you would see a serious divide between Steelers fans who absolutely hated the notion that Vick may don the black and gold and fans who either didn't care, didn't mind or liked the idea.

Well at approximately 7:30 p.m. EST Tuesday evening, we saw the Steelers sign Vick to a one-year contract as they placed Bruce Gradkowski on the injured reserve list.

But the war between fans had already started all over social media.

Some people just seemed generally happy to have a former no. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft join the team in a much needed position after Bruce Gradkowski's season-ending injury.

Michael Vick is now officially the new back-up quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers! Welcome to Steel City, Mike! #NFL #SteelersNation

— Schalke USA #S04 (@schalke_usa) August 26, 2015

Others, not so much.

Now that #Steelers have signed Vick, my Sundays are clear. Anyone wanna grab brunch or start a book club?

— Dawn Fels (@kilgoret95) August 26, 2015

@steelers As a life long Steelers fan I am SICKENED that an upstanding franchise like this lets a DESPICABLE human being play QB for this

— Agent Dale Cooper (@lvanProvorov) August 25, 2015

MAJOR DISLIKE! SERIOUSLY?! "@steelers: We have signed veteran QB Michael Vick & placed QB Bruce Gradkowski on the Reserve/Injured List"

— Steph. (@Heartslikeadrum) August 25, 2015

There's already a petition out there with thousands of signatures of people who do not want Michael Vick on the Steelers. Not that this would be anything new, New York Jets fans did the same thing last season.

But as we scoured the Twitter-verse for responses, there were plenty of fans and reactions who either defended Vick, or at least called out those who were so dead-set on not moving past his past transgressions.

It is a good thing the Steeler fans that hate the Vick signing are perfect, otherwise their judging would be very awkward

— Adam Benson (@Benson_TheComic) August 26, 2015

Vick committed terrible crimes, served time, and by all accounts matured, turned his life around. That's how the system is supposed to work.

— Tom McAllister (@t_mcallister) August 26, 2015

Nothing against animals or animal lovers but with all this hate, youd think Vick took PEOPLE'S lives...Geez he did his time #getoverit

— IG its_tina43 (@Tinaa43) August 26, 2015

Still, the anti-Vick crowd was pouring the distaste on pretty thick. Even to the point where some people said it impacted their fandom of the Pittsburgh Steelers' organization.

@btsteelcurtain he's a piece of pondscum i wouldnt sign to a squad of garbage men in china.

— Michael Mosgrove (@irishpoet48) August 26, 2015

I just lost respect for the Pittsburgh Steelers. I heard they just signed Michael Vick.

— Gary Blakeley (@gary_blakeley) August 26, 2015

Michael Vick is the worst! So long Steelers! Boo!!! #michaelvick https://t.co/aybboVvYs6

— Stephanie Roland (@srolandj_roland) August 26, 2015

And now I'm done with @Steelers. Anyone want a jersey and a terrible towel? Super cheap. https://t.co/jwNGPjZmr0

— Karstan Schmarstan (@Karstan) August 25, 2015

While some fans may feel they are completely untouchable and on the right side of this situation, many people are quick to point out the reality in the situation. Either:

1. Vick deserves a second chance and people need to move on;
2. there are Steelers' players with questionable history who people don't fret over;
3. some fans are going way over the top;
4. or there are more important issues for people to be raising hell about.

No it's not all about football, but Vick has served his punishment the justice system handed down to him, and has stayed out of trouble...

— Amanda (@pghsteelersgrl) August 26, 2015

For those "offended" by Vick being a Steeler, he had no video footage mysteriously disappear to assist in his criminal case.

— John Kincade (@JohnKincade) August 26, 2015

You'd seriously think Bane took over Pittsburgh (Gotham) with some people's reactions to the Vick signing

— Conor Lynch (@Lynch3Conor) August 26, 2015

People still on the Vick dog stuff. Guys, he didn't molest a child or kill a human being. It was dogs. Dogs. Not humans.

— Skyler Johnson (@ya_boy_hollywud) August 26, 2015

These white ppl on here care more about Vick fighting dogs 8 years ago than cops killing black people now

— Wee-Bae Brice (@Papa_Khelz) August 26, 2015

There are plenty of takes to be had on Vick's signing. Some tackle the important role Vick can have as a backup quarterback on a team that is missing a legitimate no. 2 option with the injury of Bruce Gradkowski, while others acknowledge the zealous outcry of the anti-Vick crowd and why there are other issues for people to put their time into, such as fellow Steelers fan and founder of verysmartbrothas.com, Damon Young, with his take on the situation.

One thing is for certain, Michael Vick is a polarizing player that can split a fan base on their opinions.