Nike ad campaign leads to boycott call

Angry fans even burnt, cut out the signature swoosh logos of apparel giant

New York, Sept. 5: An endorsement deal between Nike and Colin Kaepernick prompted a flood of debate on Wednesday as sports fans reacted to the apparel giant backing an athlete known mainly for starting a wave of protests among NFL players of police brutality, racial inequality and other social issues.

The deal unveiled by Nike and the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback was a trending topic on Twitter and other social networks, with some fans urging a boycott of the company’s clothes and sneakers — even burning and cutting out the signature swoosh logos on their gear.

Others pushed back, saying the backlash against Nike showed the polarising debate has morphed well beyond whether NFL players should be allowed to demonstrate for social causes while the national anthem plays in stadiums before games.

The league itself weighed afternoon with an executive saying the social issues Kaepernick has raised are valid.

“We now embrace the role and responsibility of everyone involved with this game to promote meaningful, positive change in our communities,” said Jocelyn Moore, the NFL’s executive vice president of communications and public affairs on Wednesday.

Moore’s statement was paired with a detailed breakdown of things players and league executives have done together to learn about and address social issues, including community meetings, lobbying and financially supporting local programs.

Rich, part of the duo Big & Rich and a former contestant of President Donald Trump’s reality show “The Celebrity Apprentice,” said he supported the right to protest but Nike lost his support when it endorsed Kaepernick.

■ FORMER SAN FRANCISCO 49ers quarterback had launched his campaign to raise awareness about racial injustice by refusing to stand for the national anthem ■ PRESIDENT DONALD Trump triggered uproar by describing protesting players like Kaepernick as “sons of bitches”.