TIGER CALLS NIKE’S AD “BEAUTIFUL”
A Nike athlete since the 1990s, Woods rarely delves into controversial issues, such as the Colin Kaepernick commercial.
NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. — Tiger Woods endorsed Nike’s latest “Just Do It” ad narrated by Colin Kaepernick with a message nearly as succinct. “It’s a beautiful spot,” Woods said. The 2-minute ad, which debuted during the NFL opener, highlights superstar athletes LeBron James, Serena Williams and others, and touches on the controversy of NFL player protests during the national anthem.
Woods, a Nike athlete since turning pro in 1996 who rarely delves into divisive issues, said Friday he was a fan of the apparel giant featuring the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback known for his social protests.
“I think Nike is trying to get out ahead of it and trying to do something special and I think they’ve done that,” Woods said at the BMW Championship. “It’s a beautiful spot and pretty powerful people (are) in the spot.”
The ad aired during the first commercial break in the third quarter of
the Eagles-Falcons game on Thursday night.
SEAHAWKS: Seattle has not decided whether safety Earl Thomas will be added to the active roster ahead of Sunday’s season opener in Denver.
Coach Pete Carroll said a decision would come today. Carroll wanted to see how Thomas came out of the final day of practice in his first week back with the team following a contentious holdout.
Thomas held out from Seattle’s offseason program and training camp, only reporting to the team Wednesday. Thomas was seeking a contract extension or a trade while looking to secure his long-term future.
He declined to speak with the media Friday, saying through a team spokesman that his Instagram post about his return stands as his statement. In the post, Thomas wrote, “The disrespect has been noted and will not be forgotten.”
RAVENS: Robert Griffin III acknowledged Friday that with three quarterbacks on the Ravens’ 53-man roster, there’s a good chance he’ll be inactive on game days.
“It’s definitely a possibility,” he said after practice. “Unless I go out there and play special teams or kick return, very rarely do you see three quarterbacks active. I’m not saying that’s not going to happen. I’m not going to speak anything I don’t want into existence. But I will be understanding of that throughout the season.”
The former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL Rookie of the Year has known since April that with Joe Flacco starting and first-round pick Lamar Jackson on hand, his odds of earning playing time are long.
FALCONS: Strong safety Keanu Neal is out for the season with a torn ACL in his left knee, the team confirmed. Neal played 37 of 72 defensive snaps in the 18-12 loss to Philadelphia on Thursday.
BEARS: Coach Matt Nagy all but confirmed new outside linebacker Khalil Mack would play against Green Bay. But he avoided clarity.
“Yeah, there’s a good shot of playing,” Nagy said Friday. “We just don’t know how much.”
CHARGERS: Defensive end Joey Bosa will miss the opener against Kansas City after reinjuring his left foot.