Colin Kaepernick fronts Nike ad campaign

Nike has chosen Colin Kaepernick to front a major ad campaign in a move that could draw US President Donald Trump’s ire.

Colin Kaepernick is the face of a new Nike ad campaign celebrating 30 years of the "Just Do It" slogan. Picture: AFP

Nike has chosen Colin Kaepernick, the first NFL player to kneel during the US national anthem as a protest racism, as one of the faces for advertisements commemorating the 30th anniversary of its “Just Do It” slogan, a move that could draw US President Donald Trump’s ire.

“Colin has been a Nike athlete since 2011,” Nike spokeswoman Sandra Carreon-John said on Monday. “Colin is one of a number of athletes being featured as part of our 30th anniversary of Just Do It.” The former NFL quarterback posted a black-and-white close-up of himself on Instagram and Twitter on Monday featuring the Nike logo and “Just do it” slogan along with the quote, “Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything.”

“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,” said Gino Fisanotti, a Nike vice president of brand for North America, according to a story by ESPN story, which first reported Nike’s decision to use Kaepernick as part of the ad campaign.

Representatives for Kaepernick and the NFL did not respond to requests for comment on Monday.

Nike were widely lauded for their decision to feature Kaepernick, but not all were as supportive, with some cutting the Nike logo from their clothing.

Trying to think of the last time a brand this big so consciously injected themselves into a political debate of this pitch.

— Franklin Leonard (@franklinleonard) September 3, 2018

As its athletes, most notably LeBron, have more freely been outspoken on issues, Nike officials have developed more of a backbone — their shot at the French Open after the tournament denied Serena’s catsuit & now Kaepernick the most recent examples.

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) September 3, 2018

Colin Kaepernick on the Nike add is the best ever. People saying they won’t buy Nike because Kaepernick disrespect veterans am I veteran and you guys don’t represent me. I fought so people have the right to kneel or not. Buy any kind of shoes and have the freedom to be free

— Josie Armistead Torresmulero (@highertenacity) September 4, 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

Kaepernick was a quarterback with the San Francisco 49ers for six years. He stirred a national controversy by taking a knee while the anthem was played before games during the NFLs 2016 season to draw attention to police killings of black men and other issues.

The anthem protests, soon embraced by other players, raised the ire of some NFL fans and Trump, who has said he would love to see NFL owners fire football players who disrespect the American flag.

The NFL this season has adopted a rule requiring all players to stand during the anthem, although it gave them the option of staying off the field until the ceremony was over. Even so, the protests persisted through the pre-season and the NFL said it is in discussions with the players union on the policy. News of Nike’s ad campaign broke just days before the first game of the NFL season on Thursday, when the controversy over pre-game protests could flare anew.

Serena Williams, LeBron James, Odell Beckham Jr, Shaquem Griffin, and Lacey Baker are also featured in the campaign.

Especially proud to be a part of the Nike family today. #justdoit pic.twitter.com/GAZtkAIwbk

— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) September 4, 2018

Reuters