photo credit: Shutterstock
Over the weekend, Nike announced former NFL player Colin Kaepernick as the face of the company’s 30th Anniversary of the “Just Do It” campaign. In the ad, Colin is looking at the camera, and printed over the image is: “Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything #JustDoIt.”
After the announcement, social media quickly responded. Some extremely happy and in favor of the company’s bold move, while others decided to burn, cut, and destroy anything they owned with Nike on it.
Nike is definitely on the right side of history by having Colin Kaepernick in their new #JustDoIt campaign. Nike has made BILLIONS of dollars off the image of Black athletes, and it's only right for them to show support for Black athletes who stand up for justice
— Tariq Nasheed (@tariqnasheed) September 4, 2018
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
Dear @Nike
You just earned a lifelong customer.
Well played! #JustDoIt ❤ pic.twitter.com/SSmChXP1CH— Julie Gichuru (@JulieGichuru) September 4, 2018
One thing people should remember – our military fought wars so people can practice their 1st amendment rights to peacefully protest, exactly what @Kaepernick7 and other NFL players are doing. I would rather have them do that than see others rioting in protest.
— Mary Moon (@msmoon61) September 3, 2018
I just retired after 21 yrs in the Army. STOP USING US to push your racist agenda. #ColinKaepernick is bringing light to an important issue that likely has never affected you. It is more disrespectful to us that you keep spewing this garbage. Stop. #JustDolt #NikeBoycott https://t.co/kAL7qPGrgG
— Robert People (@PeoplesCourt79) September 4, 2018
Let's be honest, #NikeBoycott folks.
For you, there are only two ways that #ColinKaepernick (or any other person of color for that matter) can protest the "right way": shut up or be white.https://t.co/yJMIIxsOdj#Nike #JustDoIt#justBuyIt
— John Pavlovitz (@johnpavlovitz) September 4, 2018
"People sometimes forget that love is at the root of our resistance. My love for my people serves as the fuel that fortifies my mission" Colin Kaepernick pic.twitter.com/BLbUkNsbkO
— COMMON (@common) September 3, 2018
The campaign will also feature athletes such as Serena Williams, NFL wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., and Shaquille Griffin, a rookie linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks whose left hand was amputated when he was a child.
Previous #JustDoIt Campaigns. pic.twitter.com/Jofs1r0iiI
— Live Civil (@LiveCivil) September 4, 2018