Donald Trump has done everything in his power to attack African American athletes, particularly football players who have dared to kneel during the National Anthem in protest of racial injustice.
One of the professional black athletes who has gotten most of Trump’s angry attacks is former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who made headlines in 2016 with his peaceful protest of the National Anthem. Since then, Kaepernick has been one of the main athletes leading the cause for racial justice and the end to police brutality — and it’s a fight that has negatively impacted the NFL player’s career as teams abandoned him. However, one of the NFL’s biggest business partners, Nike, has just come forward to send Trump a powerful message.
At a time when the president is attacking black athletes and promoting white supremacy, Nike (who is the official provider of NFL jerseys), has just made Kaepernick the face of the company’s 30th anniversary of the “Just Do It” campaign. A source familiar with the agreement said:
It’s a top-level football deal, a deal that reflects him as an icon and an athlete, not just an athlete.”
Kaepernicks’ campaign tagline could not be more powerful. It says, “Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything.”
Kaepernick tweeted the ad from earlier this afternoon, ensuring that Trump would have a meltdown on Labor Day:
Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything. #JustDoIt pic.twitter.com/SRWkMIDdaO
— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) September 3, 2018
Already, the public is reacting:
BREAKING: Nike had been paying Colin Kaepernick all along, waiting for the right moment. That moment is now, as he becomes the face of the company’s 30th anniversary of the “Just Do It” campaign. pic.twitter.com/uccpDStbq5
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) September 3, 2018
This is a powerful move by Nike, as Kaepernick became highly controversial and NFL ratings dropped after the protests started. Of course, the president’s constant attacks and threats didn’t help, either. However, Nike’s move has just reminded America that hope isn’t dead, and shown Trump that he won’t win.
Featured image via screen capture
