On Monday, Nike uncovered that Colin Kaepernick was the star of their new Just Do It campaign. Commending the 30th commemoration of the first Just Do It, Nike’s declaration was met with a mixture of praise and backlash. Donald Trump isn’t a fan, however, LeBron James and tennis hotshot Serena Williams surely are.
LeBron posted the ad on his Instagram, tagging Kaepernick. While accepting an honor for his style and charity from Harlem’s Fashion Row, he said “I stand with Nike, all day, every day,” reports ESPN.
Serena Williams also demonstrated her support by tweeting, “Especially proud to be a part of the Nike family today.”
Especially proud to be a part of the Nike family today. #justdoit pic.twitter.com/GAZtkAIwbk
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) September 4, 2018
As Reuters notes, she commented on the controversial campaign following her match with Karolina Pliskova stating, “He’s done a lot for the African American community, and it’s cost him a lot. It’s sad. Having a huge company back him…could be controversial for this company, but they’re not afraid. I feel like that was a really powerful statement to a lot of other companies.”
Williams has recently expressed her admiration for Kap, saying that he can lead a team to the Super Bowl if given the opportunity. “He’d have so much to prove,” she said. “I Would. I can’t imagine he would be any different.”
Many people have expressed their opposition against the ad, including POTUS who says Nike is sending a “terrible” message.
Just like the NFL, whose ratings have gone WAY DOWN, Nike is getting absolutely killed with anger and boycotts. I wonder if they had any idea that it would be this way? As far as the NFL is concerned, I just find it hard to watch, and always will, until they stand for the FLAG!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 5, 2018
