With Nike being one of the biggest sporting brands in the world, anything that they do is documented worldwide and their products are forever flying off the shelves.
Their sneakers are top of the range, and many athletes and famous sports personalities are seen wearing Nike sportswear.
Nike's recent plans to unveil a new sneaker hasn't followed through, however, all thanks to the sportsman-turned-activist, Colin Kaepernick.
Read on to find out what Kaepernick did to convince Nike to halt their plans in launching their new product and why he chose to do it.
A little bit about Colin Kaepernick...
Kaepernick started his football career at a young age.
The thirty-one-year-old played college football for the University of Nevada. After graduating, he was selected by the San Fransisco 49ers in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft.Kneeling for what he believes in...
He knelt during the national anthem in protest of police shootings of African-American men and other social injustices faced by black people in the US.
Speaking in an interview in 2016, Kaepernick said: "To me, this is something that has to change, and when there's significant change and I feel like that flag represents what it's supposed to represent and this country is representing people the way that it's supposed to, I'll stand."His kneeling was a sign of respect.
Kaepernick later said that he "couldn't show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color." He opted for kneeling over sitting, however, as a sign of respect for the men and women who fight for the United States.Kaepernick's actions inspired others...
His teammate, Eric Reid, soon began to kneel beside him, alongside other teammates such as Antoine Bethea, Eli Harold, Jaquiski Tartt, and Rashard Robinson.The NFL's response wasn't positive...
Initially, the NFL released a statement claiming that players were only encouraged, and not required, to stand during the national anthem. But, in 2017, Kaepernick became a free agent. No team would offer him a contract, and, in October of that year, he filed a grievance against the league, accusing team owners of colluding to keep him signed.Yet players still continued to kneel.
After Kaepernick's attorney stated that "athletes who protest peacefully should not be punished", public backlash mounted until team owners declared that all team personnel on the field must "stand and show respect for the flag and the anthem."This announcement caused even more outrage...
Statement from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell https://t.co/1Vn7orTo1R— NFL (@NFL)1527092658.0
Kaepernick was used as the face for Nike's "Just Do It" campaign...
Kaepernick is now endorsed by Nike.
The "sacrifice" is clearly in reference to his kneeling protests that resulted in him not being able to participate in the sport anymore. The fact that Nike used his image and beliefs to promote their brand is a huge step forward for the rights of black Americans and the racial injustices that still go on to this very day.So when Nike recently announced the launch of a new sneaker...
Kaepernick's influence over the sports giant was made very apparent.The new sneakers were intended to celebrate the upcoming Independence Day...
Nike designed the sneakers in aid of this proud day, in which the sneakers would have sported an early edition of the American flag with thirteen stars from the American revolution. also known as The Betsy Ross flag. This flag was also a symbol in the American Nazi Party. It was intended to be a colorway of Nike's popular Air Max 1 sneaker.Just as the sneakers were about to hit the shelves, Nike took them back...
Nike had even begun sending the sneakers to retailers...
But they very quickly asked for the products to be sent back. A Nike spokesman told The Wall Street Journal: "Nike has chosen not to release the Air Max 1 Quick Strike Fourth of July as it featured the old version of the American flag."Nike seemed to quickly realize what the Betsy Ross flag symbolizes for many people.
SHAME ON YOU NIKE for siding with anti-American Colin Kaepernick. Wake up AMERICA! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 https://t.co/qQvksHnpeo— Pastor Greg Locke (@Pastor Greg Locke)1562077003.0
Some users have lashed out personally to Nike...
I love how Colin Kaepernick and others are offended by the Betsy Ross American flag and make Nike pull the design b… https://t.co/AqwLCCGqnx— Ryan Frank (@Ryan Frank)1562081710.0
Many have seen the retraction of the sneakers as a sign of disrespect.
Wow. @Nike’s an absolute joke for this. They pulled a shoe release because Colin Kaepernick is offended by the Amer… https://t.co/hvOKCencZP— Robby Starbuck (@Robby Starbuck)1562078365.0
But Nike and Kaepernick still have their supporters...
I am so thankful to @ava and @Kaepernick7 for sharing my poem. During this independence week know that we are not f… https://t.co/fB4Bg7lyOc— Hannah Drake (@Hannah Drake)1562082761.0