Dallas (WBAP/KLIF) – A new ad campaign celebrating 30 year of Nike, the sportswear company is featuring controversial former quarterback Colin Kaepernick, whose kneeling protest during the the playing of the National Anthem at NFL games in 2016, has kept him off the field since.
The ad shows a picture of Kaepernick and reads; “Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything.”
In response social media erupted with some people burning their Nikes.
First the @NFL forces me to choose between my favorite sport and my country. I chose country. Then @Nike forces me to choose between my favorite shoes and my country. Since when did the American Flag and the National Anthem become offensive? pic.twitter.com/4CVQdTHUH4
— Sean Clancy (@sclancy79) September 3, 2018
This North Texas man says he doesn’t understand the move from a business sense.
“I think we just want to get some good press and say hey, we’re on the right side of the issues. And they’re really not doing anything pissing off about 50% of the people in the country.” He adds, that Nike has the right to choose whatever person they want be a spokesperson, and he has the right to buy what ever products he wants, and he won’t buy Nike products.”
Kaepernick chose to start kneeling for the National Anthem, in protest of what he deems ‘injustices” in the criminal justice system for minorities.
Kaepernick’s attorney, Mark Geragos, made the announcement on Twitter, calling the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback an “All American Icon” and crediting attorney Ben Meiselas for getting the deal done. Kaepernick also posted a Nike ad featuring his face and wrote: “Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything. (Hashtag) JustDoIt”
Kudos to @Nike who realized @Kaepernick7 is an All American icon Proud and humbled to have @meiselasb help to get this done https://t.co/fHKyRSNsU2
— Mark Geragos (@markgeragos) September 3, 2018
Kaepernick already had a deal with Nike that was set to expire, but it was renegotiated into a multi-year deal to make him one of the faces of Nike’s 30th anniversary “Just Do It” campaign, according to a person familiar with the contract. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because Nike hasn’t officially announced the contract.
The source says Nike will feature Kaepernick on several platforms, including billboards, television commercials and online ads. Nike also will create an apparel line for Kaepernick and contribute to his Know Your Rights charity.
(Copyright 2018 WBAP/KLIF 24/7 News. This report contains material from the Associated Press)
