Nike-Branded Clothes Destroyed On Social Media Over Colin Kaepernick Ad Campaign
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — People angry with Nike for making Colin Kaepernick the face of its "Just Do It" campaign have taken to social media to publicly destroy their swoosh-branded clothes and shoes.
Nike marked the 30th anniversary of the campaign with a new ad that said, "Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything."
Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything. #JustDoIt pic.twitter.com/SRWkMIDdaO
— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) September 3, 2018
Kaepernick was a quarterback with the San Francisco 49ers when he started taking a knee during the national anthem before games. The move drew the ire of President Donald Trump, who said it disrespected the American flag and the military, even though Kaepernick said he did it to protest racial injustice.
Kaepernick has not played in the NFL since 2016 and is currently suing the league, claiming owners colluded to keep him out of football.
Nike's decision to feature Kaepernick drew plenty of anger from NFL fans and people who say they support the military.
Our Soundman just cut the Nike swoosh off his socks. Former marine. Get ready @Nike multiply that by the millions. pic.twitter.com/h8kj6RXe7j
— John Rich (@johnrich) September 3, 2018
Others urged Nike to consider other well-known figures for the ad slogan.
Hey @Nike you really dropped the ball here pic.twitter.com/Wds7wyPpSb
— Stephen Dale (@stephenmedic) September 4, 2018
Hey @nike instead of paying punks who advance anti-American lies like @Kaepernick7 why don't you pay Pat Tillman's family for the rights to use his image - A REAL HERO who sacrificed everything!
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) September 4, 2018
Why promote someone who blames racism for the fact he can't compete in the NFL?
????
Some found the destruction of perfectly good shoes and clothes to be a waste and urged boycotters to instead find more constructive means of discarding the items.
If you're joining the #NikeBoycott and you're gonna #BoycottNike, please consider taking the apparel to your local homeless or women & children's shelter or houseless person sleeping on the street tonight. Take your anger and turn it into a compassionate act. #justdoit
— Siouxsie Homemaker (@SaoirseLynn) September 4, 2018
If you plan on burning or throwing away your Nike shoes, the St. Francis House of Boston is low on shoes to give to the homeless.
— Only In Boston (@OnlyInBOS) September 4, 2018
They are accepting all donations, including clothing, at 39 Boylston Street; open 24 hours. pic.twitter.com/BrHoDYH0FA
However, as one Twitter user pointed out, boycotting Nike will make it difficult to be an NFL fan.