Look At All These Patriot Geniuses Destroying Their Nike Gear

Colin Kaepernick was named the face of Nike’s campaign and people are responding in the dumbest way

In an incredibly powerful and important move, Nike made activist and football player Colin Kaepernick the face of their “Just Do It” campaign. Kaepernick, who risked his career by peacefully protesting police brutalities against unarmed black men, is shown looking straight at the camera, with the words: “Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything.”

Of course, a bunch of angry people have decided to literally burn their Nike gear in protest. Because that’s really the most productive answer. Insert nine million eye roll emojis.

Before we get into a bunch of videos and pictures of shoes burning (yup, people actually set their shoes on fire), I’d just like to direct your attention to why Kaepernick chose to sit out during the national anthem in the first place.

“There are a lot of things that are going on that are unjust. People aren’t being held accountable for,” he told ESPN in 2016. “And that’s something that needs to change. That’s something that this country stands for freedom, liberty and justice for all. And it’s not happening for all right now.”

He added that he has “great respect” for people in the military who are fighting for our country. “They fight for freedom, they fight for the people, they fight for liberty and justice, for everyone. That’s not happening,” he said. “People are dying in vain because this country isn’t holding their end of the bargain up, as far as giving freedom and justice, liberty to everybody.”

Alright, now onto people being a bunch of extreme drama queens under the hashtag #BurnYourNikes.

The most fun part of all this have been the responses. Veterans spoke up and said that if they are not offended by Kaepernick, then others certainly shouldn’t be either (and if individuals have such strong feelings about standing up for our country then they can enlist in the army, which would be a far more proactive tactic than lighting shoes on fire).

Others noted that burning perfectly wearable clothing and shoes is peak privilege, and if people really wanted to be patriotic, they should donate those goods to Americans in need. Seriously, heads up to all you pyromaniacs out there. We will stop making fun of you if you get the hashtag #DonateYourNikes trending.

Oh yeah, and a lot of people gently reminded the Twitterverse that Nike is not losing any money when they burn their shoes and cut logos off their shorts. Nike already has the money from the purchase. They’re doing just fine, guys.

https://twitter.com/jetpack/status/1036781192392200192

So, yup, keep burning your shoes (maybe not while wearing them like the gentleman above). We need all the comedy we can get in 2018.