A faith-based liberal arts college in Missouri has dropped Nike as the sponsor for its athletic gear after the popular sports brand aired an ad with former NFL player Colin Kaepernick.
The College of the Ozarks, based in Point Lookout, decided to cut ties with Nike just days after the Oregon-based company unveiled the new campaign featuring the controversial football player, according to The Associated Press.
Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything. #JustDoIt pic.twitter.com/SRWkMIDdaO
— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) September 3, 2018
In a video released Wednesday, Kaepernick serves as a narrator, recounting a series of acts of inspiring athleticism across the country. The two-minute “Just Do It” campaign video ends with the slogan, “Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything.”
Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything. #JustDoIt pic.twitter.com/x5TnU7Z51i
— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) September 5, 2018
Now the College of the Ozarks plans to sever its professional relationship with Nike entirely. The school’s president, Jerry C. Davis, said in a statement he believes Nike is “promoting an attitude of division and disrespect toward America.”
“If Nike is ashamed of America, we are ashamed of them,” he charged. “We also believe that those who know what sacrifice is all about are more likely to be wearing a military uniform than an athletic uniform.”
‘American Sniper’ Wife Breaks Silence, Sends Scorching Letter to Nike, Colin Kaepernick
The Missouri college’s decision to drop Nike comes right after Taya Kyle, widow of “American Sniper” Chris Kyle, tore into the athletic apparel brand for failing, in her view, to correctly understand the word “sacrifice.”
“Sacrificing what exactly? A career?” Kyle said of Kaepernick. “[A]t best, that is all Colin sacrificed … some money and it’s debatable if he really lost his career over it.”
It should be noted the overall response to the new Kaepernick ad has been positive.