Sports Fans Burn Nike Gear After Kaepernick Stars In New Ad

Nike announced that one of the athletes to star in their 30th anniversary "Just Do It" advertising campaign will be former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Kaepernick has not played in the NFL since 2016 after he took a knee in protest during the national anthem and sparked a leaguewide movement. Kaepernick announced his new deal with Nike on Twitter, simply stating "Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything. #JustDoIt" along with a photo of himself with those words written across the center. 

Many fans were not happy with Nike for choosing such a divisive figure to be the face of the company. #NikeBoycott started trending and many sports fans took to social media and shared videos of themselves burning their Nike branded apparel in protest of the decision. One Twitter user took his five pairs of shoes and threw them into a fire pit while the Star Spangled Banner played in the background. 

.@Nike Due to your support of C.K. in your coming adds, I as an American can no longer support your company. #boycottNike #IStandForOurFlag

Another man ended up in the hospital after he set his shoes on fire while wearing them. After sharing the photo of his flaming shoes, he explained that his Nike shoes became grafted to his feet and now he might have to have them amputated. 

Kaepernick will not be the only athlete to be featured as part of the anniversary ad campaign. Serena Williams, LeBron James, Lacey Baker, Shaquem Griffin and Odell Beckham Jr. will also appear in the company's ads.

Nike's stock dropped over two percent in early trading after the decision was announced. The stock drop cost the apparel company over $4 billion in market capital.

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