Missouri College Drops Nike Uniforms to Protest Kaepernick Ad
College of the Ozarks, a private Christian college in Point Lookout, Missouri, decided to drop all Nike uniforms after the brand unveiled Colin Kaepernick as the face of its new ad campaign.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Jerry C. Davis, College of the Ozarks president, noted that they are “choosing the country over a company.” According to Davis, “Nike executives are promoting an attitude of division and disrespect toward America” by supporting Kaepernick. “We also believe that those who know what sacrifice is all about are more likely to be wearing a military uniform than an athletic uniform,” Davis said.
Davis’ response was in reference to a photo of Kaepernick from the ad campaign captioned: “Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything.”
The College of the Ozarks has addressed Kaepernick’s protest before, stating last year that they would not play any opponent whose players took a knee, sat, or turned away from the flag during the national anthem.
On Wednesday Nike released a video ad that will air during the U.S. Open, college football, and Major League Baseball.
IT’S OUT: @Nike just released the full Colin Kaepernick ad and the internet is buzzing over it https://t.co/g3KhxMaTcL pic.twitter.com/5cQb9u8Tq3
— CBS News (@CBSNews) September 5, 2018
NBC reports that Nike has also purchased airtime on Thursday Night Football to show the new ad.
This such an incredible checkmate https://t.co/bJBbyOrThP
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) September 5, 2018
