An American football famous person who sparked a furore by means of kneeling through the national anthem has been unveiled because the new face of a major promoting marketing campaign.
Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick will front Nike’s “Just Do It” thirtieth anniversary marketing campaign, stories stated.
In 2016 Kaepernick refused to face for the anthem in protest at police violence towards African-Americans.
Many different avid gamers adopted go well with however the protest has divided the country.
President Donald Trump has referred to as players who “disrespect” the united states flag “sons of bitches” and called for them to be sacked.
Gino Fisanotti, Nike’s vp of brand for North The United States, used to be quoted via cable sports activities network ESPN as saying: “We believe Colin is one in every of the most inspirational athletes of this era, who has leveraged the facility of sport to help transfer the world forward.”
Kaepernick, 30, signed a sponsorship take care of Nike in 2011 and has been saved on its payroll throughout the kneeling controversy, ESPN reported.
The participant opted out of his agreement with the 49ers in 2017 and has now not performed considering the fact that. he is these days suing the NFL claiming he’s being stored out of the league on account of his phase in the protests.
In May this 12 months, the NFL announced that avid gamers who knelt for the national anthem could be fined beneath a brand new policy.
The league mentioned players now not willing to stand for The Star-Spangled Banner may keep in the changing rooms till it had been performed.
The NFL also vowed to “impose appropriate self-discipline on league body of workers who do not stand and display admire for the flag and the Anthem”.
Image copyright Reuters Image caption The on-field protests began in 2016 and divided the country