Disgraced former NFL benchwarmer Colin Kaepernick has a new deal with Nike, even without having a job in sports.
Unveiling an advertising campaign that haiul Kaepernick as an American “hero” that sacrificed everything, Nike has faced an onslaught of criticism.
A man who was is no longer an professional athlete, was never a star, and who raised controversy when he began kneeling during the national anthem… is being used as an example of courage?
Kaepernick posted a Nike ad on Twitter Monday afternoon featuring his face and wrote: “Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything. #JustDoIt”
Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything. #JustDoIt pic.twitter.com/SRWkMIDdaO
— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) September 3, 2018
Kaepernick already had a deal with Nike that was set to expire, but it was renegotiated into a multi-year deal to make him one of the faces of Nike’s 30th anniversary “Just Do It” campaign, according to a person familiar with the contract.
Many critics are questioning why Nike made the decision to to highlight Kaepernick as an American hero who has “sacrificed everything.”
The former quarterback has been known to broadcast his extreme views — and not just kneeling during the national anthem. In the past, Kaepernick has been seen wearing ‘pig’ cop socks and has commonly sported a Che Guevara t-shirt.
Critics point out that Kaepernick’s idol, Guevara, was an outspoken racist that had homosexuals sent to concentration camps in communist Cuba in the 1960s. Now he’s a liberal hero?
According to The Huffington Post, Guevara “record of murdering and torturing people is extensive. Researchers have documented 216 victims of Che Guevara in Cuba from 1957 to 1959.”
Following the announcement of Nike’s new deal with Kaepernick, a new trend sparked on Twitter with many users sharing videos of themselves burning their Nike shoes.
.@Nike Due to your support of C.K. in your coming adds, I as an American can no longer support your company. #boycottNike #IStandForOurFlag pic.twitter.com/5JxSMD8SSO
— AlterAtYeshiva (@alteratyeshiva) September 4, 2018
.@Nike how you going to endorse @Kaepernick7 a person that advertises socks with cops portrayed as pigs, a person that hasn’t played NFL for 2 years, well it’s good I never really spent money on your brand but to the money I did, here they are pic.twitter.com/oHFVgDnR4K
— Sebastian Blanco (@thasaviorBlanco) September 3, 2018
One Twitter user explained, “First the @NFL forces me to choose between my favorite sport and my country. I chose country. Then @Nike forces me to choose between my favorite shoes and my country. Since when did the American Flag and the National Anthem become offensive?” —
First the @NFL forces me to choose between my favorite sport and my country. I chose country. Then @Nike forces me to choose between my favorite shoes and my country. Since when did the American Flag and the National Anthem become offensive? pic.twitter.com/4CVQdTHUH4
— Sean Clancy (@sclancy79) September 3, 2018
A source told The Associated Press that Nike will feature Kaepernick on several platforms, including billboards, television commercials and online ads. Nike also will create an apparel line for Kaepernick and contribute to his Know Your Rights charity. The deal puts Kaepernick in the top bracket of highest paid athletes with Nike.
The NFL and Nike extended their partnership in March to run through 2028. Nike provides all NFL teams with gameday uniforms and sideline apparel that bears the swoosh logo.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.