Nike’s New Kaepernick Ad Has People Burning Their Shoes: ‘I Don’t Wear Politics’
As Nike unveiled its new ad starring Colin Kaepernick, the ex-San Francisco 49ers QB turned lightning rod in the fight against police brutality, patrons of the sports brand began lashing out.
Within hours of the ad’s big reveal showing an intense black and white shot of Kaepernick over which are superimposed the words, “Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything,” Nike consumers began slashing their swooshes and setting fire to their sneakers.
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
Even country music star, John Rich of Big & Rich, tweeted that his sound guy destroyed a pair of socks in protest, Rich warning, “Get ready @Nike.”
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
Other owners of the brand’s products went to far as to cut up their shoes and use them as tinder for a bonfire, hashtagging tweets of the acts with #RemovetheSwoosh, #IStandForTheAnthem and #maga2020.
Hey #Nike . I don’t wear politics or anything related to #ColinKaepernick I no longer buy 5 to 6 pairs per year of Air Monarch Black size 9 anymore either. Just do it? I did. I set my bunions free. #RemovetheSwoosh pic.twitter.com/68UuGMmIaD
— Twentyoz (@Twentyoz_) September 3, 2018
#Nike burn baby burn #IStandForTheAnthem #maga2020@Nike #AllLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/DluR1AgtsJ
— Freemen4liberty (@Liberty4Freemen) September 3, 2018
Kaepernick drew widespread attention when he began kneeling in 2016 at football games during the national anthem, using the move as a way to highlight ongoing oppression of communities of color. The demonstration has since become a hot button issue among both sides of the political aisle who have supported and decried Kaepernick’s actions, the Nike controversy only the latest example of the debate playing out among Americans.
[Image via screengrab]
