Nike is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its “Just Do It” campaign and was looking for a way to make a splash. So they chose former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick as the face of their campaign, in a move that is sure to upset President Donald Trump and his racist followers.
It was two years ago that Kaepernick started the “take a knee” movement among players in the National Football League as a way to protest police brutality against African Americans. After that many more NFL players began to take a knee during the national anthem also, and a movement was born.
Since then President Donald Trump has used Kaepernick’s actions — and those of other football players exercising their constitutional rights — as a way to divide the country along racial lines for his own political advantage. The president’s mindless followers also jumped on the bandwagon and started attacking Kaepernick and his fellow players.
Clearly Trump thinks he gets political points for making an issue about NFL players who kneel during the national anthem because so many racist Republicans use it as an opportunity to criticize black athletes instead of trying to understand the reasons for their actions.
To get more stories like this, subscribe to our newsletter The Daily.
But Kaepernick has remained firm even as he has been kicked out of the NFL and has been unable to get another job in football. Yesterday he tweeted an inspirational message:
“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
Reportedly Kaepernick and Nike reached agreement on a lucrative new contract even though the controversial athlete has been with Nike since 2011. In a good sign, there was a great deal of interest from other shoe companies in also signing Kaepernick to an endorsement deal.
Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports tweeted that the contract is a “wide endorsement” where Kaepernick will have his own branded line of Nike products, resulting in the opportunity for much more potential income from the deal. According to Robinson, Kaepernick signed a “star” contract that is only given to top-tier product endorsers, and therefore is worth millions of dollars per year of income.
“Details on Kaepernick and #Nike:
– It’s wide endorsement. He’s going to have his own branded line. Shoes, shirts, jerseys, etc. There will be Kaepernick apparel.
– Contract is a “star” deal on par with a top end #NFL player. Millions per year. Star deals also include royalties.”
Details on Kaepernick and #Nike:
– It’s wide endorsement. He’s going to have his own branded line. Shoes, shirts, jerseys, etc. There will be Kaepernick apparel.
– Contract is a “star” deal on par with a top end #NFL player. Millions per year. Star deals also include royalties.
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) September 3, 2018
Speaking about his actions two years ago, Kaepernick explained:
““I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”
The 30-year-old Kaepernick filed a collusion grievance against the NFL claiming that he is being denied employment in the league because of the “take a knee” movement he started. His case got a boost last week when arbitrator Stephen B. Burbank ruled there was enough evidence to require a full hearing.
I am a lifelong Democrat with a passion for social justice and progressive issues. I have degrees in writing, economics and law from the University of Iowa.
