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Nike to debut Colin commercial tonight
Colin Kaepernick haters might want to turn off their TVs.
Nike will debut a new “Just Do It” commercial narrated by the social justice activist during tonight’s NFL season opener between the Falcons and Eagles on NBC, per ESPN.
The ad also features Kaepernick, along with Giants star Odell Beckham Jr., Serena Williams, LeBron James and a host of others.
Kaepernick, who recently renegotiated a multi-year deal with Nike, is teaming up with the shoe and apparel giant to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Nike’s iconic “Just Do It” slogan.
The ex-49ers quarterback tweeted out a two-minute extended version of the commercial on Wednesday with the Nike campaign’s newest mantra: “Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything. #JustDoIt”
Kaepernick has not played in the NFL since 2016 after he started kneeling during the national anthem as a way to protest police brutality and racial injustice. The peaceful protest movement he started has been a thorn in the side of the NFL (the league and its players’ union continue to negotiate a new anthem policy) and has made the league a frequent target of criticism from President Trump.
Trump even called protesting NFL players “sons of bitches” during a campaign-style rally last season.
Kaepernick is currently suing the league claiming that NFL owners are colluding to leave him on the sidelines.
“We believe Colin is one of the most inspirational athletes of this generation, who has leveraged the power of sport to help move the world forward,” Gino Fisanotti, Nike’s vice president of brand for North America, told ESPN. Trump and others disagree. “Just like the NFL, whose ratings have gone WAY DOWN, Nike is getting absolutely killed with anger and boycotts. I wonder if they had any idea that it would be this way? As far as the NFL is concerned, I just find it hard to watch, and always will, until they stand for the FLAG!” Trump tweeted.
Social media was filled with images and videos of people burning and cutting up their Nike gear in anger over the company’s new campaign featuring Kaepernick.
Nike shares dipped by 3.2 percent Tuesday, but had rebounded some Wednesday.
Kaepernick and Nike have had a relationship since 2011.
Nike did not give the NFL a heads up about Kaepernick’s involvement in the new ad campaign, according to ESPN’s Darren Rovell. Nike is the official apparel supplier of the league. The two sides recently inked a new 10-year deal.
ESPN also reported that Nike kept the news from “many key players internally and outside Nike headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon.”
It appears Nike has no interest in letting the NFL forget about both Kaepernick and the anthem debate.