In light of the recent marketing ad by Nike, Inc., Truett McConnell University President, Dr. Emir Caner, officially announced Friday morning the school will no longer purchase or carry apparel by an athletic company that uses someone to market their products who “mocks our troops.”
The announcement comes on the heels of Nike airing its first “Just Do It” ad, narrated by Colin Kaepernick. The unsigned free agent began kneeling during the national anthem in 2016 in protest of police brutality against African-Americans and minorities in the United States.
The ad, which Kaepernick is quoted saying: “Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything,” will be published on billboards, apparel, and commercials.
“America has sacrificially given my family the freedoms we enjoy today,” said President Caner. “My wife, who was raised under the oppression of socialistic communism, became a citizen five years ago, joyfully pledging allegiance to these United States and her flag.”
“For Nike to then hire Colin Kaepernick,” added Caner, “a person known for wearing pigs on his socks, mocking law enforcement, kneeling against our flag, and mocking our troops, is reprehensible to my family and to the Truett McConnell family.”
The uproar after the ad was released has even caught the attention of President Trump who was quoted saying the deal with Kaepernick sends “a terrible message.”
As of the ads public airing, the Truett McConnell President says the university will be “discontinuing our relationship with Nike in athletics and our campus store. Any profits from remaining Nike gear sold through our campus store will be directly donated to Wounded Warriors and the Fraternal Order of Police.”
“If Nike chooses to apologize to our troops and to our law enforcement officers, then – and only then – will TMU reconsider their brand,” said President Caner. “In the meanwhile, let us honor true heroes, those who protect us daily, some even sacrificing their own lives. They are the true heroes.”
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Jenny Gregory is the Digital Content Specialist for Truett McConnell University.
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