Unless you’ve been under a rock, you’ve probably seen Colin Kaepernick’s new Nike ad. If you haven’t, it features a black and white close up of his face with the words, “Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything.”
The ad has evoked strong emotions on both sides of the issue of kneeling during the national anthem to protest racism, police brutality, and social injustice. While athletes like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and even Tom Brady are in support of the ad, others – like John Rich of the country duo Big & Rich and UFC star Tim Kennedy – are calling for a boycott because of what they perceive as disrespect to the flag and the servicemen and women who fight and die for it.
The National Association of Police Organizations fired off a letter to Nike chairman and CEO Mark Parker saying that they’re calling for a boycott of all products. The way they see it, featuring the former 49er is a slap in the face to those who actually sacrifice their lives. “Come on over to Arlington National Cemetery, or to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC, or to the trauma unit of a military hospital if you want to learn the meaning of 'sacrifice' and why our flag means something to so many.”
Source: TMZ