Nike: Just Do It, or Not

Well, Colin Kaepernick has found a way to gather another 15 minutes of fame this past week. Nike has decided to use him in their newest Just Do It advertising campaign despite the fact that he is no longer active in the NFL. His current claim to fame is that he started a movement that has created a public relations nightmare for the league and caused tons of ill will across the country. So now, once again we have to devote our time and attention to this former NFL player, glamorizing him beyond his merits, with his sanctimonious quote about sacrificing everything. Remind me again, what exactly has he sacrificed?

In the bitter grapes department, Kaepernick is currently suing the NFL for “colluding” to keep him out of the organization. Sorry, I’m not buying that argument. He choose to leave the 49ers (after failing to hold on to the starting job), he allegedly turned down an offer from the Ravens (again presumably because he wanted a starting spot or at least a contract befitting a starter), and he failed to land an offer despite several tryouts with various teams. Honestly, he had a decent career in the NFL, but the idea that he is being blackballed because he won’t stand for the flag is ridiculous.

Sorry, Colin, the truth hurts. You just don’t have the goods anymore. Following multiple injuries culminating in surgery on his throwing shoulder, he has never been the same. Look at his stats and see for yourself. There is a noticeable decline each year between 2011 and 2016 and his latest numbers don’t exactly scream NFL starter. And his refusal to settle for a backup position or backup salary is the real reason he is no longer in the league. The fact that he would be a huge distraction to any team that signed him is just an added incentive to avoid him, but seriously, if any team thought he would help them win more games, they would sign him in a heartbeat. Seriously. Look at some of the outlaws and felons on current rosters.

(Here are two very good articles about his on-the-field issues: https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/colin-kaepernick-49ers-start-chip-kelly-nfl-buffalo-stats-career-highlights-fantasy-101116 and https://www.si.com/mmqb/2017/06/07/colin-kaepernick-backup-quarterbacks.)

My personal opinion is that Kaepernick, the so-called “social justice warrior,” is just a frustrated player who found a way to turn the spotlight back on himself after going from Super Bowl starting quarterback to second string benchwarmer.

All that aside, let’s be honest. Nike did this to make money. After forty years in business, they were looking for a way to regain their reputation as the edgy, cool company. Apparently, they are perfectly willing to cast off all us old guys who have been buying their products for decades, in favor of the Millennials who have a completely different perspective on Colin Kaepernick and his stand (or lack thereof) on the issues. Whatever business Nike loses in the short term, they will eventually make up in the long run.

As for boycotts, honestly, I’m not a big fan. I would never try to tell someone else how to spend their money. For me, I’m not a big buyer of Nike products these days anyway because I just don’t want to pay that much for the brand (or anybody else’s). I’m too old to worry about looking cool or edgy.

Let me be clear about one more thing. Colin Kaepernick and anybody else in the NFL or elsewhere can protest anytime they want. We live in a FREE country and the right to protest is a fundamental aspect of the right to free speech. I think most people are missing the point. In my honest opinion, HOW you protest and WHEN you protest are REALLY, REALLY important. If your method and your timing interfere with your message, I just think you should rethink your plan. If this really has nothing to do with the flag or the anthem, then stop staging your protest during the anthem.  A lot of people think that’s disrespectful. And they have a right to express themselves freely as well.