Tiger Woods endorsed Nike's latest "Just Do It" ad narrated
by Colin Kaepernick with a message nearly as succinct.
"It's a beautiful spot Oren Burks
Jersey ," Woods said.
The two-minute ad, which debuted during the NFL opener, highlights superstar
athletes LeBron James, Serena Williams and others, and touches on the
controversy of NFL player protests during the national anthem.
Woods, a Nike athlete since turning pro in 1996 who rarely delves into
divisive issues, said Friday he was a fan of the apparel giant featuring the
former San Francisco 49ers quarterback known for his social protests.
"I think Nike is trying to get out ahead of it and trying to do something
special and I think they've done that," Woods said at the BMW Championship.
"It's a beautiful spot and pretty powerful people (are) in the spot."
The ad aired during the first commercial break in the third quarter of the
Eagles-Falcons game on Thursday night. Kaepernick watched the first television
airing on NBC at an event held at Nike's headquarters in Beaverton Dexter
Manley Jersey , Oregon.
Woods has been a big part of Nike Golf through his 14 major championships, no
moment more indelible than when his chip shot on the 16th green at the Masters
hung on edge of the cup for two seconds �with the swoosh facing the camera
�before dropping. His "TW" logo has made him an embodiment of the brand.
He said Nike didn't consult his opinion on the ad that featured
Kaepernick.
"They did not tell me it was coming," Woods said. "When corporate does things
that are outside of golf and outside of my realm, that's what they do."
Nike's swoosh logo was omnipresent on hats, polos and spikes for golfers at
Aronimink Golf Club.
Tony Finau, the leading candidate to be the final Ryder Cup pick for the U.S.
team, said the Nike campaign with Kaepernick "definitely stands out"
"As far as Kaepernick and all that's concerned, we all have the freedom of
speech and he's using it in a way that's non-violent which is something you just
have to respect as an American http://www.chicagobearsteamonline.com/anthony-miller-jersey ,"
he said. "They came out with a campaign that they feel is who they are. As an
athlete of theirs, it's not my job to agree or disagree with whatever they
do."
Kaepernick's deal with Nike for the 30th anniversary of the "Just Do It"
campaign was the most polarizing issue in sports this week, prompting heated
debate on several topics including athletes protesting social injustice and Nike
wading into political waters. Some fans responded to Kaepernick's sponsorship
deal by cutting or burning gear with Nike's signature swoosh logo. Others argued
the backlash to the campaign and calls for a Nike boycott showed how the debate
has morphed well beyond how athletes try to highlight issues like racial
inequality and police shootings of unarmed minorities.
President Donald Trump, a critic of protests during the anthem, tweeted
Friday, "What was Nike thinking ?"
Serena Williams, who will play her in ninth U.S. Open final, said last week
at the tournament that she was proud of Kaepernick. He was in Flushing Meadows
to watch Williams play.
"I think every athlete Josh Bellamy
Jersey , every human, and definitely every African-American should
be completely grateful and honored (for Kaepernick)," she said.
Kaepernick began a wave of protests by NFL players two seasons ago, kneeling
during the national anthem to protest police brutality and racial
inequality.
PGA Championship winner and two-time U.S. Open champ Brooks Koepka said the
biggest winner might be the publicity sparked for Nike.
"I mean, let's put it this way, their name is in the paper and people are
talking about it," he said. "So Nike is doing what they want to do."
The San Francisco 49ers placed six players on injured lists upon reporting
for the start of training camp on Wednesday.
Guard Jonathan Cooper, wide receiver Trent Taylor and linebacker Dekoda
Watson were all placed on the physically unable to perform list while safety
Marcell Harris Phillip
Gaines Jersey , linebacker Malcolm Smith and defensive lineman
Kentavius Street landed on the non-football injury list.
Cooper (knee), Taylor (back) and Watson (calf) aren¡¯t expected to miss a
significant amount of time before joining practice, per Joe Fann of the team¡¯s
website.
Street sustained a torn ACL during the pre-draft process and the 49ers
selected him knowing he likely wouldn¡¯t play this season. Harris is also
recovering from a college injury, an Achilles tear, but is expected back soon.
Smith had a leg injury recently that will briefly keep him sidelined for the
start of camp.
Players on the PUP and NFI lists can be activated at any time before the
start of the regular season upon passing a physical. They do count against a
team¡¯s 90-man roster limit.
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