Watch: Amid growing controversy, Nike unveils Colin Kaepernick ad

Written By DNA Web Team | Updated: Sep 06, 2018, 10:31 AM IST

A billboard featuring former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick is displayed on the roof of the Nike Store on September 5, 2018 in San Francisco, California.

Nike launched an ad campaign to commemorate the 30th anniversary of its iconic "Just Do It motto that features controversial former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick and a message that says "Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything."

Nike has unveiled its first "Just Do It" ad narrated by Colin Kaepernick, a spot scheduled to air during the NFL season opener on Thursday night as well as during the US Open tennis tournament and other major sporting events.

The two-minute spot released Wednesday highlights superstar athletes LeBron James, Serena Williams and others, and touches on the controversy of NFL players protesting racial inequality, police brutality and other issues by demonstrating during the national anthem.

Kaepernick narrates the full spot but first physically appears midway through. As a camera pans to reveal Kaepernick's face, a reflection of a United States flag is visible on the facade of a building behind him.

Kaepernick says: "Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything." At the start of the ad, Kaepernick says: "If people say your dreams are crazy, if they laugh at what you think you can do, good. Stay that way, because what nonbelievers fail to understand is that calling a dream crazy is not an insult, it's a compliment." The former 49ers quarterback is revealed as the narrator toward the end of the spot.

The commercial's universal theme is about athletes pushing for bigger dreams. It features young athletes who compete amid various challenges, touching on issues of gender, disabilities and weight loss, among others.

Kaepernick says at the end: "Don't ask if your dreams are crazy. Ask if they are crazy enough."

"Just like the NFL, whose ratings have gone WAY DOWN, Nike is getting absolutely killed with anger and boycotts," Trump tweeted.

"I wonder if they had any idea that it would be this way? "As far as the NFL is concerned, I just find it hard to watch, and always will, until they stand for the FLAG!" he said.