Nike’s ‘Just Do It’ Ads Featuring Colin Kaepernick are (Literally) Under Fire
Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, has been selected by Nike as one of the athletes promoting the company’s new “Just Do It” campaign. The campaign celebrates 30 years of the iconic Nike slogan.
Earlier this week, Kaepernick posted the advertisement on Instagram with the caption “Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything. #JustDoIt”
Back in 2016, the current free agent was the first NFL player to take a knee during a pre-game national anthem in protest of the oppression of colored peoples in America.
A Nike vice president of brand for North America, Gino Fisanotti, told ESPN, “We believe Colin is one of the most inspirational athletes of this generation, who has leveraged the power of sport to help move the world forward.”
The campaign features other athletes such as Serena Williams, New York Giants’ Odell Beckham Jr., skateboarder Lacey Baker and rookie linebacker Shaquem Griffin of the Seattle Seahawks.
Despite the various faces of the 30 year commemoration, Kaepernick’s remains the center of attention and the cause of a national boycott of the brand.
John Rich, half of the country duo Big and Rich, took to Twitter to show his disdain for Nike’s decision to feature the former 49er.
Hey @Nike I guess you made @Kaepernick7 your new “face” of the brand because you love the way his socks look with your shoes? @Reebok here we come. #WeStand @TomiLahren @greggutfeld @kilmeade @RedneckRiviera pic.twitter.com/tgtbl8VFzv
— John Rich (@johnrich) September 3, 2018
Our Soundman just cut the Nike swoosh off his socks. Former marine. Get ready @Nike multiply that by the millions. pic.twitter.com/h8kj6RXe7j
— John Rich (@johnrich) September 3, 2018
Rich isn’t the only one detesting the sports brand. Protestors have been posting photos and videos of themselves setting fire to their Nike products with the hashtag #JustBurnIt.
The reactions to Nike’s selection of Kaepernick aren’t all resulting in burnt running shoes, however.
I worked in corporate strategy at Nike for years. Nike’s most loyal and lucrative core consumer? Black youth. Not the Trump supporter cutting his socks with pruning shears. #NikeBoycott? The company is laughing its way to the bank.
— Fonda Lee (@FondaJLee) September 4, 2018
I don’t wear Nike’s but I’m going to buy a pair. Today. #NikeBoycott
— Terry McMillan (@MsTerryMcMillan) September 4, 2018
Just bought @Nike stock. Easy win. #IStandWithKap pic.twitter.com/nGwmqYhnHx
— Jeff Yang (@originalspin) September 4, 2018
On Tuesday, LeBron James voiced his support of Kapernick at an appearance in Los Angeles.
