Colin Kaepernick #7 of the San Francisco 49ers (Image: Getty)
Hundreds of Nike consumers voiced outrage this week after the sports apparel company decided to feature Colin Kaepernick in its latest advertisement campaign.
Fans quickly started burning Nike shoes and other sportswear after the brand chose the free-agent NFL quarterback as the face of the 30th anniversary edition of its “Just Do It” ad campaign.
Kaepernick started drawing headlines in August 2016 after he began a series of controversial national anthem protests before football games in order to make a statement about racial inequality and police brutality against minorities in the United States. His actions sparked similar protests across the NFL and other major sports leagues.
Last week, a judge ruled in favor of Kapernick in a case involving a grievance he filed against all 32 NFL teams accusing them of collusion to keep him out of the league. The quarterback hasn’t played in the league since the San Francisco 49ers released him in March 2017.
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The ad featuring Kaepernick includes the phrase: “Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything,” which seems appropriate to describe the free agent’s philosophy on making socio-political statements.
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Dozens of fans shared photos and videos of themselves burning or otherwise destroying their Nike shoes as a way to boycott the company for its most recent decision.
Other fans appeared to support Nike and Kaepernick, however, by purchasing merchandise from the brand.
Nike’s new ads also feature New York Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. — who recently became one of the highest-paid wideouts in the league — and rookie Seattle Seahawks linebacker Shaquem Griffin, who had his left hand amputated as a child.
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Kaepernick has received tributes from many organizations for his social justice work over the last year. In April, he was named Amnesty International’s 2018 Ambassador of Conscience.
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