Nike recently announced a deal with Colin Kaepernick as the face of the brand’s new advertising campaign, and ended up facing a divided reaction from fans and popular celebrities alike. Colin Kaepernick, a quarterback from NFL, protested against racial injustice and police brutality by kneeling during the US national anthem, played before the matches.
In an interview, President Donald Trump, who had been strongly critical of the protest movement Kaepernick sparked, said: “I think as far as sending a message, I think it’s a terrible message and a message that shouldn’t be sent.”
Critics have burned Nike trainers and clothing in protest at Colin Kaepernick’s appointment as the face of the brand’s new advertising campaign. They also took to social media, promising to destroy Nike products. On Twitter, some users hit out at the deal using the hashtag #JustBurnIt – a play on Nike’s slogan “Just Do It” – which trended on Twitter alongside #BoycottNike.
Meanwhile, Andrew H Scott, the mayor of Kentucky city Coal Run, said he was “officially done” with Nike and the NFL and asked Nike to cancel an order, while several videos showed Nike trainers being burned. Country singer John Rich tweeted a photo of a pair of Nike socks with the brand’s swoosh logo cut off.
However, another Twitter user Teri Shockey countered: “To everyone who is planning to #JustBurnIt, might I suggest you donate your @Nike merch instead? Plenty of people in need, including vets and families of active duty military, would be more than grateful to wear it. #JustDoIt”
Check out this coverage for the reactions.
However, there has been an outpouring of support as well for the football player, who first protested by sitting during the national anthem in August 2016, later opting to kneel.
“Colin Kaepernick drew our collective attention to the problem of continued racial injustice in America,” said former CIA director John Brennan on Twitter.
Nike is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its “Just Do It” slogan. Its new advertising campaign, also includes ads featuring tennis star Serena Williams.
