Nike Announces Colin Kaepernick Will Be the Face of its "Just Do It" Campaign
Source: Nike
NFL Says Social Justice Issues Raised By Colin Kaepernick "Deserve Our Attention And Action"
UPDATE: The NFL has voiced its support of Nike's Colin Kaepernick "Just Do It" campaign.
"The National Football League believes in dialogue, understanding and unity. We embrace the role and responsibility of everyone involved with this game to promote meaningful, positive change in our communities," Jocelyn Moore, the NFL's executive vp communications and public affairs, said in a statement via The Hollywood Reporter. "The social justice issues that Colin and other professional athletes have raised deserve our attention and action."
Read the original story below.
Nike is playing chess
Exiled NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick will the be the face of Nike's Just Do it30th-anniversary campaign. Kaepernick made the announcement on his social media pages, sending out a photo of himself with the caption: "Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything:"
Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything. #JustDoIt pic.twitter.com/SRWkMIDdaO
READ:The Work, Power & Perseverance of Colin Kaepernick
As ESPN reporter Darren Rovell notes,Kaepernick was sponsoredby Nike already (since 2011.) So they have been paying him all along:
\u201cBREAKING: Nike had been paying Colin Kaepernick all along, waiting for the right moment. That moment is now, as he becomes the face of the company\u2019s 30th anniversary of the \u201cJust Do It\u201d campaign.\u201d— Darren Rovell (@Darren Rovell) 1536002889
\u201cNike signed Kaepernick in 2011 and kept him on its endorsement roster over the years, even though they didn't use him.\u201d— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) 1536005916
Also interesting: Nike and the NFL are partners; the two companies reached a new eight-yeardeal back in March.
READ: Colin Kaepernick Scores Million-Dollar Book Deal
Of course, the announcementgot a divisive reaction, split between those who believe in his cause and those who don't.
\u201cNike stood by Serena now Colin Kaepernick. They are not here for racists... Please Nike take my money \ud83d\ude4f\u201d— The Instigator (@The Instigator) 1536006173
\u201cNike is also the official shoe of the NFL. You talk about a major \u201cFuck you,\u201d to the league on the week the NFL season starts. Holy crap.\u201d— Clay Travis (@Clay Travis) 1536005880
This comes just a couple a days after an arbitratordecided that Kap's grievance against theNFL will go to trial. The NFL season kicks off Thursday.
