Nike battling backlash over advertising campaign
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Critics have burned Nike trainers and clothing in protest at Colin Kaepernick’s appointment as the face of the brand’s new advertising campaign.
The American football quarterback, 30, protested against racial injustice and police brutality by kneeling during the US national anthem.
In announcing the deal, Nike said he was “one of the most inspirational athletes of this generation”.
But opponents took to social media, promising to destroy Nike products.
On Twitter, they hit out at the deal using the hashtag #JustBurnIt – a play on Nike’s slogan “Just Do It” – which trended on Twitter alongside #BoycottNike.
In an interview with the Daily Caller, President Donald Trump, who has been strongly critical of the protest movement Kaepernick sparked, said: “I think as far as sending a message, I think it’s a terrible message and a message that shouldn’t be sent.”
The NFL said it “embraces the role and responsibility of everyone involved with this game to promote meaningful, positive change in our communities”.
A statement added: “The social justice issues that Colin and other professional athletes have raised deserve our attention and action.”
However, there has been an outpouring of support for ostracised former San Francisco 49ers player Kaepernick, who first protested by sitting during the national anthem in August 2016, later opting to kneel.
Other players followed suit, leading to criticism from President Donald Trump.
Kaepernick, who has received Amnesty International’s highest honour, has been without a team since he opted out of his contract with the 49ers in March 2017.
“Colin Kaepernick drew our collective attention to the problem of continued racial injustice in America,” said former CIA director John Brennan on Twitter.
“He did so not to disrespect our flag but to give meaning to the words of the preamble of our Constitution-‘in order to form a more perfect union.’ Well done, Colin, well done.”
Nike is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its “Just Do It” slogan. Its new advertising campaign also includes ads featuring tennis star Serena Williams, New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr and Seattle Seahawks rookie linebacker Shaquem Griffin.
BBC