On Monday, sportswear giant Nike announced that 30-year-old former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick would be the face of its 30th anniversary “Just Do It” campaign.
The athlete last played in the NFL in 2016 and has been a free agent since he got blacklisted by the NFL for kneeling on one leg when the national anthem played before games, his own way of silently and peacefully protesting police brutality and racial inequality in the US.
Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything. #JustDoIt pic.twitter.com/SRWkMIDdaO
— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) September 3, 2018
Nike’s decision to have Kaepernick feature in its latest campaign has been hailed by many, while for some, it is outrage as many have begun a call for a boycott of Nike products with the hashtags #BoycottNike and #JustBurnIt and some even went ahead to post videos and photos on social media of Nike products being cut up, burned, or destroyed.
The sportswear giants, however, seem unfazed by the backlash and according to Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Chen Grazutis, “ For Nike, The long-term relationship and a contract that benefits both parties over the next 10 years will likely outweigh any current controversy.”
See some of the reactions below:
Those For Colin Kaepernick
There are people in America who can’t afford shoes and could really use the ones you’re burning because your financially privileged ass is upset Nike signed a deal with Colin Kaepernick…
— Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) September 4, 2018
Nike just did that. They are with Colin Kaepernick (Trump is going to be so upset) and Serena Williams. They are also poking the NFL in the eye. The campaign also features one-handed football player Shaquem Griffin, who made the Seattle Seahawks for the upcoming NFL season.✊🏾 pic.twitter.com/T7oGvO0Ct1
— Khaya Dlanga (@khayadlanga) September 4, 2018
White people mad because they put Colin Kaepernick in the new Nike campaign so they’re boycotting their products
— Lakers Offseason (@LB2416) September 4, 2018
I was always more of an Adidas man but power to Nike for backing @Kaepernick7 after he was shunned by his own sport. The man is a role model for our time and we need more like him. pic.twitter.com/Vc95Yawk65
— Marty Evans (@martyevans84) September 4, 2018
What’s more American than a non-violent protest of the injustices in our country. It’s not disrespectful to the flag because it highlights the power of the Constitution and the right of every American to engage in peaceful protest. #JustDolt #BuyNike The ad is awesome!!!
— DSTgirl (@nccudst45) September 4, 2018
For a long time I refused to buy nikes for my own personal reasons. I haven’t owned a pair in over 20 years. But I will be purchasing Nike now. Way to go in backing up our Brother Cap! ✊🏾
— ItsWunder (@maumau68) September 4, 2018