Activist/former NFL player Colin Kaepernick’s failure to land a job with an NFL team last month didn’t deter fans from buying his “True to 7” Nike shoe in droves.
The ex-San Francisco 49ers quarterback who sparked national anthem protests in 2016 is still a hit when it comes to Nike specialty merchandise — its “Air Force 1 ’07 x Colin Kaepernick” sold out within 24 hours of launching on Monday.
“Colin was identified because we believe his voice and perspective inspire many generations on and off the field,” a Nike spokesperson told CNBC via email on Monday.
Mr. Kaepernick last made national headlines in November when a workout expected to be observed by 25 NFL teams was moved at the last minute from an Atlanta Falcons training facility to a high school.
The athlete’s representatives blamed an unreasonable liability waiver for the fiasco, although ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith called it “planned” theatrics.
“One half-hour before your workout was scheduled was when the league and team officials were informed that you would not be appearing,” Mr. Smith said Nov. 14. “That was planned. … You showed up in a Kunta Kinte [of the novel “Roots”] shirt. That’s what you did for owners you want to play for. … When you want a job, these are not things that you do.”
Nike did not respond to an inquiry by The Washington Times prior to publication regarding the number of “True to 7” shoes it created.
The product sold for $110.
The Colin Kaepernick x Nike Air Force 1 drops worldwide today. Link in bio. #TrueTo7 pic.twitter.com/Leo1hFNoyh
— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) December 23, 2019
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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