Nike Customers Are Burning Their Clothes After Colin Kaepernick Is Made Face Of Brand's Campaign
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American football quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, has become the new face of Nike's 'Just Do It' campaign after he knelt while the national anthem was played, in protest against racism.
Following Nike's decision, people are now burning their branded trainers and clothing in a demonstration of their own.
Many of those disapproving of the move are pro-Trump protesters who are upset with Nike and they have now been sharing videos across social media, according to MailOnline.
John Rich, one half of the country band Big & Rich, said their sound man, a former Marine, had cut off the famous swoosh logo from his socks.
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 are setting their belongings alight, throwing them in fire pits of dousing them in flammable liquid.
Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything. #JustDoIt pic.twitter.com/SRWkMIDdaO
- Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) September 3, 2018
In 2016 former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick took the stance during the American national anthem, as a demonstration against the treatment of black Americans by authorities.
US President, Donald Trump heavily criticised the protest, claiming that NFL owners should 'get that son of a bitch off the field' when 'somebody disrespects our flag'.
But now spokeswoman for Nike, Sandra Carreon-John, said: "Colin has been a Nike athlete since 2011. Colin is one of a number of athletes being featured as part of our 30th anniversary of Just Do It."
She said Nike unveiled the campaign last week by releasing a film featuring Serena Williams entitled 'Voice of Belief.'
Especially proud to be a part of the Nike family today. #justdoit pic.twitter.com/GAZtkAIwbk
- Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) September 4, 2018
Other athletes featured in the ad campaign include New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., skateboarder Lacey Baker and Seattle Seahawks linebacker Shaquem Griffin, who is an amputee with one hand.
According to ESPN, Gino Fisanotti, a Nike vice president of brand for North America, said: "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."
ESPN reported that the new ad, meant to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the brand's iconic 'Just Do It' motto, features the message: "Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything."
Kaepernick's protests of racial injustice launched a movement across the NFL. No team signed him as a free agent in 2017.
