Porterville residents weigh in on Kaepernick’s Nike ad

With the opening of the NFL football season and today being September 11, The Recorder decided to take to the streets to gather opinions on a hot button issue.

An advertisement recently released by Nike featuring former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, has mustered up a bit of controversy.

Kaepernick has been known to cause a stir in the past by refusing to stand for the National Anthem during his football games. Now, Nike has joined the mix by featuring the former 49er in a campaign with a slogan stating “Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything.”

Since the release of the advertisement Nike’s sales have increased by 31 percent.

The ad has been met with a range of responses from people, including burning Nike products in protest and people rushing out to purchase Nike items in support. Locals around Porterville had mixed feelings about the ad as well.

Marci Ruiz, a student at Porterville College, said, “It’s whatever, I don’t have an opinion about it really. It is what it is, everyone is entitled to their opinion and me, I’m just neutral.”

“I think it’s alright, it doesn’t really affect me,” said Andres Zavala.

“I don’t like Kaepernick but I will still buy Nike,” said Wyatt Landers. “I like the commercial and what he says, it’s just they chose the wrong person to say it.”

Some people gave their support for the ad.

“I think it’s cool. More power to him,” Samuel Barreras, local tattoo artist stated. “There are many things to compare it to but it’s freedom of speech and he’s sticking up for what he believes in and with Nike doing it, that’s really cool too.”

John Fernandez was in support of Kaepernick too.

“Honestly, I’m with Kaepernick on the ad, because there is a lot of crazy stuff going on in the world and he is right about some things,” Fernandez stated.

Others expressed their opposition to the campaign.

“It was so public, and everybody’s eyes were on him, that’s why it’s such a big deal,” said Carly Hoskins. “Now that Nike put him on their campaign they are just drawing more attention to him.”

Cassidy Taylor also shared her dislike for the situation.

“I don’t really like it,” Taylor revealed. “I get that he’s trying to think towards the bigger picture, but I still feel like he could have done it in a different way.”

What do you think? Let The Recorder know by voting on this week’s poll question at recorderonline.com or send us a letter to the editor.