Nike has made former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick the face of his new “Just Do It” campaign. The campaign is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and has chosen a hotly debated testimonial.
Kaepernick started a protest against racial discrimination by kneeling during the American national anthem in August 2016, which was also practised by many colleagues in the NFL. But where the quarterback had received encouragement, there were also many opponents who saw the protest as a lack of respect for the national anthem. One of them was President Donald Trump, who repeatedly voiced harsh criticism.
While Kaepernick has been looking for a new team since March 2017 and has even gone to court on suspicion of illegal agreements by NFL teams not to hire him, the NFL has even banned the form of protest for the new season. For years now, the 30-year-old has been a controversially discussed personality that is associated with the protests.
Kaepernick has been a partner of the American sporting goods manufacturer since 2011. Now the former NFL quarterback and Nike have agreed on a contract extension and cooperation for the 30th Just-Do-It campaign. Kaepernick will receive a collection of shoes, shirts, jerseys and other items.
Meanwhile, a return to the NFL is becoming increasingly difficult to imagine. Kaepernick was given the opportunity to train with the Seattle Seahawks during the off-season, but the workout was postponed because he could not guarantee the team not to kneel again during the national anthem.