"Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything"

To: "Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything" is sports giant Nike's new ad campaign featuring NFL player and social advocate, Colin Kaepernick. And today, I stand in full support of Mr. Kaepernick and the Nike brand for endorsing free speech and the individual right to protest in America.

As part of Nike's  "Just do it" 30th anniversary, the company will promote, among other things, an ad featuring Mr. Kaepernick, the former quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers American football team, who in 2016, made a bold and defiant gesture not to stand for the singing of the United States (US) national anthem in protest of the continued violence by police against African Americans.

Since then, football teams have overlooked the talented player as Donald Trump and others have criticized Mr. Kaepernick's exercise of his right. Other players and many citizens support the player's advocacy. I too stand with him. If a nation fails to live up to its inherent creed, then an individual has that inalienable right to protest what he/she deems as necessary in order to force that nation into compliance.

While some pundits speculate that Nike would suffer some blow back from using Mr. Kaepernick in its ad campaign, I beg to differ, for how can anyone find fault with: "Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything"? 

Today, I'm wearing a Nike pants in support of the company. My sons have worn Nike shirts and sneakers to school. As the father of four sons, if Nike continues its support for Mr. Kaepernick, then we will increase our purchases of Nike products.

Nike, also as part of its "Just do it" anniversary campaign, will feature ads with tennis great, Serena Williams with the slogan: "It's only a crazy dream until you do it", another fitting theme of hope to go with the grit of Mr. Kaepernick's ad slogan: "Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything" - all necessary themes to employ in this testing era in the US.