I’m so thrilled to learn this news. The company Nike’s executives are stepping into the political fray to back Colin Koepenick for his courage to risk it all by standing up for what he believes to be right and true. They have selected him to be the face of their 30th year anniversary.
Colin Kaepernick was the San Francisco 49ers’ football quarterback who by peacefully kneeling in protest against the injustice of police officers’ over-usage of excessive force towards unarmed men of color, during the playing of the national anthem at the beginning of football games in 2016, set off a culture war utilized by the republican President Donald Trump and his supporters to accuse the kneeling NFL players as being unpatriotic and disrespectful to the US flag.
Since 2017, Mr. Kaepernick has been black-balled by the NFL team owners who have been signing up quarterbacks with much less impressive records while still leaving him as a free agent. In short, the NFL owners gave in to the the president and his followers’ demands to censor these players.
It was a former Seattle Seahawks player Nate Boyer, who had served as a Green Beret in U.S. military actions in both Afghanistan and Iraq who had advised Colin Kaepernick that the kneeling as a form of protest during the playing of the national anthem would be a respectful way to bring attention to the issue of too many police killings of African Americans.
As per the October 15, 2017 Washington Post report by Mark Maske, “Kaepernick refused to stand for the national anthem before games last season (2016) to protest, he said, racial inequality and police mistreatment of African Americans in the United States. Those protests were taken up by other players and the controversy over them has been amplified this season even with Kaepernick out of the league.”
“President Trump called on NFL owners to “fire” players who protested during the anthem, referring to such a player as a “son of a bitch.” Vice President Mike Pence walked out of a game last week between the 49ers and Colts in Indianapolis, citing players’ protests. Trump indicated that he had orchestrated that plan.”
As per a September 1, 2018 AP report, – Serena Williams said every athlete “should be completely grateful and honored” for the protests started by former NFL players Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid.”
Kaepernick and Reid, two former San Francisco 49ers now out of the league, were each given huge ovations when they were introduced and shown on the big screen during the match between Serena and Venus Williams at the US Open on Friday night. Reid raised his fist and Kaepernick smiled for the fans.”
“Kaepernick tweeted a photo of his young niece with Serena and wrote, “Lani lost it when Serena surprised her after the match!!! Thank you so much Serena !!!”
Eric Reid
✔@E_Reid35
I know today will motivate Lani to be great! She couldn’t contain her excitement watching her favorite players @serenawilliams and @Venuseswilliams. Thanks Serena for surprising her after the match!
“I think every athlete, every human and definitely every African-American should be completely grateful and honored how Colin and Eric are doing so much more for the greater good, so to say,” Serena said. “They really use their platform in ways that is really unfathomable. I feel like they obviously have great respect from a lot of their peers, especially other athletes, people that really are looking for social change.”
As per the April 21, 2018 Amnesty.org press release, “The award was officially presented at a ceremony in Amsterdam, Netherlands, on 21 April 2018, to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the opening of Amnesty International’s national section in the country.”
“The Ambassador of Conscience award celebrates the spirit of activism and exceptional courage, as embodied by Colin Kaepernick. He is an athlete who is now widely recognised for his activism because of his refusal to ignore or accept racial discrimination,” said Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International.
“Just like the Ambassadors of Conscience before him, Colin Kaepernick chooses to speak out and inspire others despite the professional and personal risks. When high profile people choose to take a stand for human rights, it emboldens many others in their struggles against injustice. Colin Kaepernick’s commitment is all the more remarkable because of the alarming levels of vitriol it has attracted from those in power.”
Here’s the rest of the story…
On September 3, 2018, Nathaniel Meyersohn of CNN Money penned the following report, “Nike takes sides, tapping Colin Kaepernick for new ‘Just Do It’ ad” (“Companies and brands often attempt to avoid taking strong public positions out of fear of alienating customers, but Nike is running straight into the political fray.”)
“Four days before a new NFL season gets underway, Nike is throwing its weight behind one of the most polarizing figures in football, and America: former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.”
“Kaepernick will be one of the faces of Nike’s 30th anniversary commemoration of its iconic “Just Do It” slogan. The campaign will also feature athletes such as Serena Williams, NFL wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., and Shaquem Griffin, a rookie linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks whose left hand was amputated when he was a child.”
“Kaepernick tweeted out a photo from the campaign on Monday (9/3/18). Over a black-and-white picture of his face, a caption reads, “Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything.”
“In backing Kaepernick, whom the company has sponsored since 2011, Nike is making a high-stakes gamble that its customers support his protest, or at least that enough of them do. The company is also betting its brand can withstand criticism from conservative corners, including the White House.”
“Kaepernick has not played in the NFL since the 2016 season. That year, he began kneeling during the national anthem to raise awareness about police brutality against African-Americans and other racial injustices. Dozens of other players also began joining Kaepernick, and he has grown into a symbol of dividing lines over race in America.”
“In 2017, he filed a grievance against the NFL, alleging the league conspired to keep him out because of his protests. An arbiter last week denied the NFL’s request to throw out the grievance, allowing the case to proceed to a trial.”
“The protests have divided the league, often pitting a conservative white owner base against the NFL’s mostly African-American players.”
“The owners voted in May to approve rules that would have required players to stand on the sideline during the anthem or or remain in the locker room. Teams would be fined if players did not stand during the anthem, and the rules allowed individual teams to set their own policies.”
“Those rules are on hold while the league and the players’ association negotiate.”
Link to entire report: Nike takes sides, tapping Colin Kaepernick for new ‘Just Do It’ ad
Gronda Morin 
I’m delighted that Nike have taken this action to show the protest the support it deserves in that it was neither disrespectful to the National Anthem nor the Flag.Whatever Trump says ( you can usually believe the opposite) there’s nothing in the law that says anyone has to stand for the anthem. His maliciousness was just to get the effect he wanted, to stop anyone who joined the protest from playing. It’s almost as if he approved of all the police shootings of innocent people.It’s a pity something couldn’t have been don by Nike for Eric Reid.But I hope he sues the league and wins.
Hugs
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Dear David Prosser,
This move by Nike thrills me as well. I’ve been doing the Happy Dance!
The NFL owners had better get on the right side of history on this one, instead of allowing President Trump to divide us over a Trumped upped manufactured outrage that didn’t exist before he made it one.
I am going out today to buy Nike for myself and my 2 grand kids.
Hugs, Gronda
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As I noted in my comment on Jill’s post, this is a new gambit for Nike which has been known for its sweat shops in the East that produce most of their high-priced sports shoes. No question but that Kaepernick is a modern-day hero. There are few of them and it is good to see other athletes backing him up in the face of the mindless Trumpet and his minions who would look at the country with blinders on.
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Dear Hugh,
This gives those of us who support Colin Kaepernick a platform.
I’m sick of these Trumped up culture wars but this is one that I want to win. This culture war hype has too many racist undertones that I’m thrilled to see the push back. I want the NFL owners to back their players. I want the racists to know that no matter how loud their voices are, they are not going to win this one.
I want them to know that the “Black Lives Matter” movement is not anti-police but simply a way to draw attention to a real issue.
Hugs, Gronda
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Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
Yes!! … ‘Nike Is Backing Colin Kaepernick In Its 30th Anniversary Ad Campaign!’ … and the fanatic trollers are having a breaking down and burning their NIKE products!! Winning ….
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Dear Horty,
For once a business is backing the vast majority of Americans who do no want to be part of the president’s attempts to divide them over another contrived culture war. For me this is a proxy war over racism in this country where I want those who welcome diversity to prevail.
Thanks a million times over for all of your support and for this reblog.
Hugs, Gronda
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Most welcome, dear friend … hope others take a similar stand!! Hugs … ❤ …
On another note, quite concerned about the Kavanaugh hearings … seems there's no way to stop his confirmation. Your views?
The only way Repuglicans 'win' is by cheating!!
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Dear Horty,
This is when I get upset with the Democratic Party. If the democrats on the US Senate Judiciary Committee are bringing a butter knife when swords are flying, they don’t know what a real fight looks like. Were it me in charge, the democrats would have sat out these scheduled hearings until they had all the documents they required to do a proper review.
Hugs, Gronda
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My head is blowing up!! 🙄
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This is definitely a high stakes move for Nike . The flag wavers will boycott them but I think they are justified in believing they can withstand that and profit ( yes I believe that’s what’s behind this move byNike but don’t care ). We must all resist the autocracy and the mindless killing and the war on democracy.
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Dear Holly,
I commend Nike for taking this stand. I’m willing to bet that they are making a calculated business move with some risk.
In return they can count on tons of free publicity over this move. They are going to create a generation of loyal grateful consumers while being on the right side of history.
Hugs, Gronda
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Reblogged this on Musings on Life & Experience and commented:
Nike is backing Colin Kaepernick.
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Dear Suzanne,
I’m hoping this move will give a jolt to the NFL owners to side with their players who were protesting peacefully and respectfully instead of kowtowing to the Racist-in-Chief living in the White House.
Thanks a million for all of your support and for this reblog.
Hugs, Gronda
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It makes me angry when the President uses this ridiculous reason for his prejudice so he can please his racist voters. It makes me even angrier when the VP does it because he should have better sense but just does it to please his boss. 😦 — Suzanne
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Reblogged this on GetRealWithDarylandDeVon@.Wordpress.Com.
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Dear Barack2012,
Welcome!
Thanks for sharing this message by Nike in favor of Colin Kaepernick and his message for judicial fairness towards unarmed peoples of color which needs fixing. Its executives are taking a risk and I, for one want them to win, bigly.
Again, thanks for this reblog.
Hugs, Gronda
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Watch out for the first mass burning of Nike products by The Unholy Church of Trumpism.
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Dear Roger,
I expect no less. Let them burn, burn, burn. But the rest will be buying its products and Nike will have earned a lot of good will.
Hugs, Gronda
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Very true Gronda. I can see Nike becoming something of a badge , and a matter of contention too. The temperature should be lowered by a responsible, intelligent and mature president……
Pity you haven’t got one than even comes close.
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Dear Roger,
A high percentage of Nike’s business is international. This marketing strategy will be a boon for a lot of free publicity. In addition, young folks will be backing them.
The president is beginning to feel the backlash to his style of politics. The blue wave is rising.
Hugs, Gronda
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No idea of how to ‘work the public’ has he?
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❤❤❤❤ http://www.herthoughts.info
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