‘American Sniper’ widow Taya Kyle slams Nike’s ‘insulting’ Colin Kaepernick endorsement

THE widow of “American Sniper” Chris Kyle has slammed Nike over an “insulting” ad featuring controversial NFL player Colin Kaepernick.

THE widow of Chris Kyle, the Navy SEAL sniper whose memoir was turned into the Oscar-winning Clint Eastwood film American Sniper, has slammed Nike for its decision to feature polarising former NFL star Colin Kaepernick in its 30th anniversary ad.

Taya Kyle, who now campaigns for veterans and their families, said in an open letter on Facebook that while she loved Nike products, “you exhaust my spirit on this one”.

“Your new ad with Colin Kaepernick, I get the message, but that sacrificing everything thing … It just doesn’t play out here,” she said. “Sacrificing what exactly? A career?”

Kaepernick sparked a national controversy in 2016 for his refusal to stand for the national anthem out of solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. The issue sharply divided the NFL fanbase and wider community. Some said kneeling for the anthem was disrespectful to the flag, while others supported the players’ right to protest.

Nike, I love your gear, but you exhaust my spirit on this one. Your new ad with Colin Kapernick, I get the message, but...

Posted by Chris and Taya Kyle on Tuesday, 4 September 2018

Nike’s ad featured an image of Kaepernick with the words, “Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything” and the hashtag #JustDoIt. He also appeared in a TV commercial for the sportswear giant.

The decision to feature Kaepernick was attacked by US President Donald Trump — a regular critic of the NFL anthem protests — and caused some Nike fans to burn their gear, vowing a boycott. Nike’s share price plummeted on the day following the announcement, wiping $5 billion from its market capitalisation.

In her Facebook post, which has been shared 23,000 times, Ms Kyle said “at best” all Kaepernick sacrificed was some money and “it’s debatable if he really lost his career over it”. “Maybe he sacrificed the respect of some people while he gained the respect of others,” she said.

“Or maybe he used one career to springboard himself into a different career when the first was waning. I don’t know. What I do know is, he gained popularity and magazine covers he likely wouldn’t have gotten without getting on his knees or as you say, ‘believing in something’.

“I’m also thinking the irony is that while I am not privy to the numbers, it’s likely he gained a lucrative Nike contract. So yeah … that whole ‘sacrificing everything’ is insulting to those who really have sacrificed everything.”

Former NFL player Colin Kaepernick in a new Nike campaign. Picture: Angela Weiss/AFP

Chris Kyle was killed at a gun range in 2013. Picture: Paul Moseley/The Fort Worth Star-Telegram via AP

She contrasted Kaepernick with former NFL player and Army Ranger Pat Tillman, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2004.

“THAT is sacrificing everything for something you believe in,” she said.

“Taking a stand, or rather a knee, against the flag which has covered the caskets of so many who actually did sacrifice everything for something they believe in, that we all believe in? Well, the irony of your ad … it almost leaves me speechless. Were you trying to be insulting?”

Ms Kyle said she had “never been more grateful for Under Armour”.

The post drew a mixed response.

“Him taking a knee during our country’s anthem has divided us more than we ever were before,” Ginger Henson wrote.

“The national anthem was one of the only times you could see our country stand together, united as one. No matter where you were from, what colour your skin was, or where you worked … we stood, together. It’s sad that he took that away from us.”

But Kelly Knauer said it was “sad that you would knock Nike for recognising Kaepernick for standing up for something really important”.

“Kaepernick used his position to call attention to the racial injustice still rampant in our society. That’s honourable,” she said.

“No one is saying he’s better than veterans who’ve given their lives. I respect your husband and the loss you’ve suffered, but it’s really naive to think this man hasn’t sacrificed.”

Originally published as ‘American Sniper’ widow Taya Kyle slams Nike’s ‘insulting’ Colin Kaepernick endorsement