Colin Kaepernick! Touchdown!!!

Tom Cartney
Sep 9, 2018 · 6 min read

There’s no secret that Colin Kaepernick was publicly tortured by many of his non-supporters because of his disrespectful act towards the American flag in 2016 during a tough time for minorities in the United States. Yea, who can forget about the police killings of innocent blacks around 2016 that mentally destroyed many minorities, scaring them senselessly, causing them to become afraid to even leave the house with serious concerns that they could possibly end up as an innocent victim of a policeman who decides to get trigger happy on a given day. The fact that police were not getting charged for such crimes, but worse, just getting suspended became a huge concern for those who understood the wrong in police’s mild consequence. Colin Kaepernick decided to kneel during the National Anthem versus standing in 2016 during a pre-season game against the San Diego Chargers, which lead to the loss of his NFL career, hate actions (including death threats), bans from restaurants and other businesses and many other misfortunate consequences. Many supported the quarterback as other minority figures also protested in other bold ways to show their disapproval of police killings on minorities. It’s been two years of attacking the protestor, and after much thought about his actions and studying his interviews throughout the media it was decided by the $128.52 billion business, Nike, that they would back the quarterback and feature him in one of their ad campaigns.

Since this support of Kaepernick by the popular sneaker company, Nike, many have gone on a craze of showing their dissatisfaction of the ad campaign and stocks have dropped, causing Nike to lose over $1 billion. Are we surprised by this drop? No. Why would we? A man once told me that many of the majorities of the nation think the nation would be better off without minorities and truly believe that minorities are not needed. But there are many senseful people who understands that minorities are the reason why the nation is as advanced as it is today. Has Nike made a good move by supporting Kaepernick? Well, Nike online sales have jumped 31%, but we are in our early stages of the responses to the Kaepernick ad campaign. Giving it some time will reveal an answer, but will Nike convert non-supporters of Kaepernick’s action or will those who have been loyal to the brand for many years continue to just suddenly throw away all of the history they have had with the multi-billion dollar business and spend their money elsewhere. No matter which way the customers of Nike veer towards, Kaepernick definitely has scored a touchdown with this one. Just like when he played with San Francisco, he scores a TD some will boo and some will cheer. Now that Nike is riding with Kaepernick, those who have stood by him for the past two years through all of his mixed attention has something new and substantial to celebrate when it comes to Kaepernick.

Now, this article isn’t evident heavy, meaning it doesn’t include much researched information. It’s an account of what the writer feels and thinks about the Kaepernick situation based on educated guesses and past experiences that makes sense of the situation. If you’re looking for an article that includes details about Kaepernick’s past with his kneeling incident or with the Nike campaign, this isn’t the article for you. Ok, I got that out of the way. Let’s move on.

Now, Kaepernick is in the driver’s seat. Many have thrown shots at Nike for allowing this man to become a face of the brand. “How could Nike do this”? Many supporters (majorities in particular) have decided to quit on the company and take their business elsewhere. It really isn’t a surprise. Nike, I’m sure, anticipated this and has a plan to survive. You have to think: If Nike supports Kaepernick, research must’ve suggested that the majority of the nation is actually on Kaepernick’s side on this matter. Nike is a business, and it’s about its money. It was a risky move, but this has to tell you which side the country is actually on no matter how it may seem. If this belief checks out, this is great news for our country. Although Trump winning the election to become president may have suggested something different, Nike may be letting us know that based on their research, it ain’t what it really seems. Kaepernick still stands strong today despite his firing by the NFL, still supports his cause and is not backing down. Nike may have made the right choice here and has officially made Kaepernick a Messiah. Now, can we get this man back into the NFL?

So, if Nike is publically supportive of Kaepernick will this encourage other brands to open up about their support of standing up for human rights in the minority community? Not sure at this time as Nike’s stock has dropped, but this is definitely a big step for America to consider when treating minorities unfair as a big brand like Nike isn’t scared to go up against the NFL and all of those who have shun Kaepernick. Nike knows it’s worth and if losing a few billion dollars to make a difference is the key, then by all means put Kaepernick in a campaign and increase his net worth while you’re at it.

I’m sure Kaepernick has his sights on a new house after this campaign, but what will his neighbors think about him joining the neighborhood. This minority, who was supposed to be hung for his actions, but instead glorified by Nike is still in control. Will he even be able to move into a new nice and rich neighborhood and borrow ketchup in the event that he runs out? I’m sure he has trouble now, but he was supposed to be crucified and basically never able to land a decent paying job in the eyes of the public ever again, unless he gave in and threw in the towel. I just hope Nike isn’t using its power and platform to finally finish off Kaepernick as many of the public hopes for. Kaepernick, don’t smile and celebrate your touchdown as a victory just yet. You are up on the scoreboard, but there is plenty of time left on the clock.

Kaepernick is genius and a solid man with a cause that he stands by through thick and thin. Minorities deserve equal opportunity, and the rest of the world knows it, but are too busy enjoying their dominance. A dominant company like Nike… is a key to possibly making a change in the world for equal rights and fairness and hopefully Nike’s ad campaign of Kaepernick is a huge eye opener that will change hearts and influence others to support such an important cause within the minority community. I’m sure Kaepernick had no idea that his life would take a turn for the better like this or even for the worse when he took a knee during the National Anthem. But, the fact that he never let go of his belief or fight and made it to this point in history we applaud him for this. Even if you aren’t, a supporter of his kneel, you can respect him for holding on to what he believes in for his people for so long and never quitting in the process. Touchdown Kaepernick.

Click here for part 2Colin Kaepernick! Another Touchdown!

Click here for part 3Colin Kaepernick! Coming up on Another Touchdown!

Tom Cartney

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