RACE IN AMERICA

Are You Ready for Some Football?

First, three words from Nike: Just do it.

Yesterday, Nike kicked off a new ad campaign featuring Colin Kaepernick, in celebration of its thirtieth anniversary of its iconic Just Do It campaign — three days before the 2018 NFL Kickoff Game takes place in Philadelphia, with the Falcons visiting the Eagles.

No doubt, the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback’s demonstrations to bring attention to police brutality and racial inequality coupled with his heightened exposure as the face of Nike will exhilirate some fans, infuriate others, and send the National Football League scrambling into an emergency public relations huddle. Add to the mix, Nike and the NFL’s recently signed a $1 billion, eight-year deal in which the sports and lifestyle clothier will supply uniforms and sideline apparel for all thirty two teams, the country could see some serious butting of heads.

“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. We wanted to energize its meaning and introduce ‘Just Do It’ to a new generation of athletes.”