Tom Brady supports Colin Kaepernick's controversial Nike ad - Daily News
Tom Brady supports Colin Kaepernick's controversial Nike ad - Daily News / @share-toolfree2593 Tom,Brady,signals,support,Colin,Kaepernicks,controversial,Nike,ad Tom Brady has weighed in on the row over Colin Kaepernick becoming the face of Nike's Just Do It 30th anniversary campaign to put his support behind the divisive former quarterback. As outraged Nike customers burned products in protest over the campaign, Brady 'liked' several pictures of it that were posted on Instagram by Lebron James, Kevin Durant, GQ and Chris Paul.He did not post his own screenshot of the campaign which features a black and white portrait of Kaepernick and the words: 'Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything.' Kaepernick has not played a game of football for 11 months. He opted out of his San Francisco 49ers contract last August after causing controversy by taking a kneel during the national anthem in a sign of protest against police brutality against African Americans. On Monday, Nike unveiled the campaign to mixed reviews. Star athletes including Serena Williams praised the company for putting Kaepernick's message at the forefront of its advertising.But Nike customers who opposed Kaepernick's on-the-field protests were outraged by the move. They said it alienated them from the brand and made them choose between their 'favorite shoes' and their country. Share this article Share 664 shares They are still angry over the NFL's refusal to suspend players who abstained from standing for the national anthem last season. Their ire spawned the hashtag #NikeBoycott. The league has introduced a new real for the coming season - players must stand or they can choose not to be on the field for the anthem. Among those who have criticized Kaepernick repeatedly is the president who says his protests are disrespectful of American troops and veterans. They led the complaints about him becoming the of the Nike campaign this week. The uproar caused Nike share prices to plummet by three per cent on Monday morning. Nike, however, described Kaepernick's protests as 'inspirational'. 'We believe Colin is one of the most inspirational athletes of this generation, who has leveraged the power of sport to help move the world forward' said Gino Fisanotti, Nike vice president of brand for North America. The company has not yet addressed the backlash from consumers. Nike has in recent months been under scrutiny for its culture and accusations that women are not adequately represented in its leadership ranks.Chief Executive Officer Mark Parker apologized for the company's work culture in May to employees in a company-wide meeting.Nike, which has said it opposes discrimination and is committed to diversity and inclusion, previously announced 'unconscious bias training' for its managers and a review of its human-resources systems. Other athletes featured in the 30th anniversary of Nike's 'Just Do It' campaign Serena Williams, who shared a photo of herself as a youngster that is featured in the campaign, said she was especially proud to be part of the Nike family with the the hashtag Just Do It
