Nike announced on Monday that former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick would be the face of its 30th anniversary "Just Do It" campaign and people are already getting riled up about it.
Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything. #JustDoIt
Kaepernick, 30, last played in the NFL in 2016. He has been a free agent since he began silently protesting police brutality and racial inequality in the US by kneeling on one leg during the national anthem played before games.
And while Nike's decision to feature Kaepernick in its latest campaign was celebrated by many, others were outraged, posting videos and photos on social media of Nike products being cut up, burned, or destroyed.
Our Soundman just cut the Nike swoosh off his socks. Former marine. Get ready @Nike multiply that by the millions.
Hi @Nike you’ve made my decision to go exclusively with @adidas products a lot easier. Conservatives buy shoes too.
First the @NFL forces me to choose between my favorite sport and my country. I chose country. Then @Nike forces me to choose between my favorite shoes and my country. Since when did the American Flag and the National Anthem become offensive? https://t.co/4CVQdTHUH4
Hey #Nike . I don't wear politics or anything related to #ColinKaepernick I no longer buy 5 to 6 pairs per year of Air Monarch Black size 9 anymore either. Just do it? I did. I set my bunions free. #RemovetheSwoosh https://t.co/68UuGMmIaD
@TheLastRefuge2 @R_Daneel_0livaw Takin out the trash @Nike #nikeboycott
@Nike @ClayTravis
And the counter-tweet backlash was swift, with people mocking those choosing to destroy a product they paid money for.
Starting today THIS is the official #MAGA shoe
Breaking: Nike responds to MAGA backlash
I just wrote “NIKE” on twenty dollar bills and burned them to own the libs.
So by not wanting to support or promote @Nike you go and cut socks that were already paid for and THEN you tweet and @ Nike. Makes sense! 🤯 https://t.co/RtlY0pZYDJ
I just seen people cutting their NIKE clothing because of NIKE supporting Kaepernick! LMAO @Nike already has your $$$.. Might as well cut that up too 🤣