The ad is a simple black and white image of Kaepernick’s face with the message, “Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything.” Kaepernick tweeted the ad from his Twitter account Monday afternoon.
Colin Kaepernick✔@Kaepernick7
Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything. #JustDoIt
According to ESPN’s Darren Rovell, the ad is part of a campaign that will make Kaepernick one of the faces of the company’s legendary “Just Do It” campaign, which turns 30 this year. The company also released ads featuring Serena Williams, NFL receiver Odell Beckham, Jr., and one-handed football player Shaquem Griffin, who made the Seattle Seahawks for the upcoming NFL season.
Darren Rovell✔@darrenrovell
BREAKING: 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’s 30th anniversary of the “Just Do It” campaign.
Kaepernick and Nike’s relationship has been at the heart of some controversy since Kaepernick became the target of both support and criticism over his decision to kneel for the national anthem before NFL games in protest of police violence against African-Americans. But, according to Rovell, it seems there was a plan all along.
That the ad dropped on Labor Day is either part of the message or a huge, impactful coincidence given that Kaepernick’s lawsuit against the NFL — alleging owners have colluded to keep him out of the league over his protests — is moving forward after a key ruling last week.
The quarterback has been a free agent since he opted out of his contract with the San Francisco 49ers after the 2016 season and, so far, no other team has publicly extended him an offer since.
Kaepernick’s protests, which began in 2016, has long since spread to other athletes and embroiled players, the league, networks, and even the president in a long simmering debate. That debate led the NFL to implement new rules that would punish similar protests, a move seemingly made to appease President Trump, but they were eventually rolled back.
I see a clown being rewarded by his handlers, for a job well done. His ass must be sore as well. That’s how it works with these sick f^&*s.
I’ve been watching videos of former customers of Nike burning their apparel in protest of this campaign. Not a good sign Nike….
How old have they been? Not just the customers but the apparel?
He has a nice smile. I like him.
That Black Panther hairdo is a real motivator for violence.
I’ll just leave this here….
Those are New Balance. Way better than Nike.
His lawsuit against the NFL is moving forward? Nobody can force any employer to hire someone they don’t want. I have been a boss and when contacting a job applicant, I always tried calling their previous employers as they did me. The best reference I could possibly give would be to say that if that person ever walked in the door looking for work, I would invent a position for them. The opposite also works when I would say that I am overjoyed that person is looking for more suitable employment. Never any grounds for a lawsuit.
Just do what? Kaep is a washed up has been. He has a better chance being the BLM president.
Where’s PETA protesting Kaep’s leather jacket?!?
Big mistake on Nike s part
The guy is a loser with a big mouth and an attitude problem
Poster boy for militant BLM
Looks like a slightly black Chia pet
It’s actually a pretty good marketing ploy on Nike’s part. As they say, any publicity is good publicity. It sure has people talking.
Ya but for all of the wrong reasons
They should put the Nike logo on Kaepernick’s socks and see how that sells…
I’m thinkin’ of growing out my hair so I can rock a fro like that. Ya, the ladies would like it.
Kaepernick versus Free Speech and Capitalism. Let’s see how this one plays out….
Well, he is kinda getting that recognition he sought – The NFL is now showing serious signs of hemorrhaging with ‘History’ listing him as a focal point of the start of it…
KAEPERNICK:
In 2014, 25th in the NFL in passing-yards/game, out of 33 qualified QBs. (Bottom-third).
In 2015, 34th in the NFL in passing-yards/game, out of 34 qualified QBs. (Dead last).
In 2016, 30th in the NFL in passing-yards/game, out of 30 qualified QBs. (Dead last).
http://www.espn.com/nfl/statistics/player/_/stat/passing/sort/passingYardsPerGame/year/2016
Just do it?