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By Maury Jackson, For TheAfricanAmericanAthlete.com
There is no secret that Colin Kaepernick has done what many claim to want to do, be brave, empowering, and persistent.
Despite the backlash, and absence of an NFL contract or even a team invite for that matter, Colin may have capitalized on something much bigger, and better.
Nike partnered up with Kaepernick and is expected to air a Kaepernick NFL ad on the NFL Network season opener.
Most national corporations would never even think of endorsing someone like Kaepernick, let alone partnering with him on a television ad on the opening day of the NFL season.
Renown athletes like Lebron James have shown their support and have even used platforms such as his cable TV show, ‘The Shop’ to be a voice for many people across America.
Guys like Lebron James and Colin Kaepernick certainly have a such a huge voice and impact on America. Yet and still, that does not change the fact that James is not a team owner, league commissioner, or hold a significant power in a professional league.
In reality, most of the people who hold these positions, particularly in the NFL, are indeed against the views and decisions of people like James and Kaepernick.
The few who don’t oppose aren’t willing to take that risk, along with the voices and backlash they would receive. James and Kaepernick can voice their opinions and broadcast their views all they want, but for this entire movement to go to the next level, it will have to rely on major multinational corporations such as Nike.
Nike is huge, and there are not too many companies that have the net worth or popularity of Nike. Yet, with more continued support from major companies worldwide, that can swing so much power in favor of these athletes. Companies worldwide love to endorse and support famous NFL and NBA superstars, and many of their supporters and networks can care less what the Donald Trump and angry protestors of the United States think.
Donald Trump is not stopping Nike and the millions they have to run this commercial during the season opener. At the end of the day, money is power. If athletes continue to connect with multinational corporations such as Nike, Walmart, and Toyota, there is no reason to believe we won’t see another Kaepernick commercial during the NFL season. With more of this will come reform within the NFL, NBA, and the entire country.
