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Some boycott, some thank Nike for featuring Kaepernick in new campaign

Posted at 6:22 AM, Sep 04, 2018
and last updated 2018-09-04 07:29:25-04

Nike is throwing its weight behind one of the most polarizing figures in football. The announcement of Colin Kaepernick’s new ad campaign prompted backlash with some buyers. Others thanked the company.

On Monday, the shoe and apparel maker announced former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick would be one of the faces of it’s 30th anniversary commemoration of its iconic “Just Do It” slogan.

The controversial quarterback appears in the ad with a black-and-white picture of his face. A caption reads, “Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything.”

Kaepernick Nike
Colin Kaepernick posted the ad to his Twitter page Monday.

Kaepernick last played in the NFL in the 2016 season when he began to kneel during the national anthem to raise awareness about police brutality against African-Americans and other racial injustices.

After the Nike announcement, one person cut the iconic swoosh out of his shoes.

John Rich, of the country band Big and Rich, tweeted that their soundman cut the Nike swoosh off of his socks.

One person set fire to their Nike shoes, claiming the company was forcing them to choose between “my favorite shoes and my country.”

Others supported the announcement and vowed to buy more Nike products.

This person wrote a thank you note to the company.

One person even offered to take the brand name merchandise off the hands of those who are destroying their shoes.

The 30th anniversary campaign also features sports stars LeBron James, Serena Williams, Shaqeem Griffin and Odell Beckham.