Colin Kaepernick is the brand-new face of a Nike advertising effort commemorating the 30th anniversary of its “Just Do It” motto.
Kaepernick was a quarterback for the 49ers for six years and sparked a national debate when he knelt during the National Anthem during the 2016 NFL season to protest racial injustice and police brutality. After he opted out of his deal following the 2016 season, Kaepernick has remained curiously unemployed. He has filed a grievance against the league in a case that is moving forward.
The reaction to this new Nike campaign? Alleged Nike "fans" took to social media to BURN their shoes.
One person tweeted: "First the @NFL forces me to choose between my favorite sport and my country. I chose country. Then @Nike forces me to choose between my favorite shoes and my country. Since when did the American Flag and the National Anthem become offensive?"