Nike’s New Deal with Kaepernick Debated on Social Media

 

This is What’s Trending Today….

A business deal between Nike and former American football star Colin Kaepernick is creating a flood of debate online.

Kaepernick became famous for starting a wave of protests among National Football League players of police brutality¹, racial inequality and other social issues. The protests involve not standing² during the singing of the United States national anthem³. It is often played before the start of sporting events.

Before a game in 2016, Kaepernick remained seated for the anthem. At later games, he placed one knee on the ground. His move inspired some and angered others. Soon, several other NFL players began to kneel.

Opponents said the protest act disrespected the country and its military service men and women. Supporters say the protest targets a lack of social justice in the country and has no connection to the military.

Kaepernick was with the San Francisco 49ers in 2016. But he left the team after that season. He has not played football since.

Kaepernick already had a contract with Nike that was set to end. Now, Nike has made him the face of its 30th anniversary “Just Do It” campaign.

Kaepernick's lawyer announced the deal on Twitter, calling Kaepernick an "All American Icon⁴." Kaepernick also posted a Nike ad featuring his face with the words: "Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything. #JustDoIt."

The Nike-Kaepernick deal was a trending subject on social media. On Twitter, some users urged for a boycott⁵ of the company's clothes and shoes. Some published videos that showed them burning or cutting the sportswear.

Country music star John Rich tweeted a picture of one of his crew members holding the tops of a cut pair of Nike socks. A message underneath⁶ read: "Get ready @Nike multiply that by the millions."

The message received over 30,000 likes. There were also thousands of comments opposing the tweet.

Others supported Nike and Kaepernick. Many suggested that those who were burning or cutting Nike products should instead donate them to homeless veterans, or other people in need.

Tennis star Serena Williams, who is also a Nike athlete, wrote on Twitter: “Especially proud to be a part of the Nike family today.”

Nike is the official uniform provider for the National Football League, which begins its new season on Thursday.

Kaepernick has taken legal action against the NFL and its 32 teams. Last week, an arbitrator denied an NFL appeal to have the case dismissed. Kaepernick accuses NFL team owners of plotting to keep him out of the league because of his protests.

A similar legal action was brought by former 49ers player Eric Reid, who joined in the protests. Reid is also now out of the league.

On Friday night, Kaepernick and Reid attended the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York City. They watched the match between Serena and Venus Williams. The two men received loud, supportive cheers when they were shown among the crowd on the big screen.

After winning the match, Serena Williams told reporters, “Every athlete, every human and definitely every African American should be completely grateful…for how Colin and Eric are doing so much for the greater good.”

And that's What's Trending Today. I’m Caty Weaver⁷.

Words in This Story

brutality - n. cruel, harsh⁸, and usually violent treatment

inspire - v.? to make (someone) want to do something : to give (someone) an idea about what to do or create?

icon - n.? a person who is very successful and admired?

veteran - n.? someone who fought in a war as a soldier, sailor, etc.?

arbitrator - n.? a person who is chosen to settle a disagreement between people or groups?

tournament - n.? a sports competition or series of contests that involves many players or teams and that usually continues for at least several days?

grateful - adj.? feeling or showing thanks

1 brutality   

n.野蛮的行为，残忍，野蛮

参考例句：

• The brutality of the crime has appalled the public. 罪行之残暴使公众大为震惊。
• a general who was infamous for his brutality 因残忍而恶名昭彰的将军

2 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

3 anthem   

n.圣歌，赞美诗，颂歌

参考例句：

• All those present were standing solemnly when the national anthem was played.奏国歌时全场肃立。
• As he stood on the winner's rostrum,he sang the words of the national anthem.他站在冠军领奖台上，唱起了国歌。

4 icon   

n.偶像，崇拜的对象，画像

参考例句：

• They found an icon in the monastery.他们在修道院中发现了一个圣像。
• Click on this icon to align or justify text.点击这个图标使文本排齐。

5 boycott   

n./v.(联合)抵制，拒绝参与

参考例句：

• We put the production under a boycott.我们联合抵制该商品。
• The boycott lasts a year until the Victoria board permitsreturn.这个抗争持续了一年直到维多利亚教育局妥协为止。

6 underneath   

adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面

参考例句：

• Working underneath the car is always a messy job.在汽车底下工作是件脏活。
• She wore a coat with a dress underneath.她穿着一件大衣，里面套着一条连衣裙。

7 weaver   

n.织布工；编织者

参考例句：

• She was a fast weaver and the cloth was very good.她织布织得很快，而且布的质量很好。
• The eager weaver did not notice my confusion.热心的纺织工人没有注意到我的狼狈相。

8 harsh   

adj.严厉（酷）的，刺耳的，刺目的，毛糙的

参考例句：

• The sunlight is very harsh.太阳光很刺眼。
• Although his words are harsh,there is positiveness in them.虽然他的话很苛刻，但有建设性。