If you don't know who Colin Kaepernick is, you may be living under a rock. The former San Francisco 49er's quarterback completely shook up the world of the NFL back in 2016 when he controversially took a knee during the National Anthem. His stance, or lack thereof, is in protest of racial injustice and the prevalent police brutality in America. Of course, Kaepernick's actions drew the attention of not only football fans but an entirely new audience, one that was deeming Kaepernick and the NFL "unamerican." The former quarterback and new social justice warrior later found himself creating quite the movement that would go on to gain the support of many and the backlash of many more.

Kaepernick's actions have landed him a spotlight in the media. In 2017, he earned himself a place on the short list of Time Magazine's Person of the Year and just recently has become a part Nike's latest campaign. The brand is celebrating the 30th anniversary of their "Just Do It" slogan and Kaepernick is quite literally the face of the commemoration. He posted a black and white photo from the campaign on Instagram with the quote, "Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything," accompanied with the signature "Just Do It" slogan.

The quote speaks directly to Kaepernick's situation. By kneeling in protest, he put his career on the line. This became the ultimate sacrifice for the football player considering in October of 2017, Kaepernick found himself filing a collusion grievance against the NFL. For this former athletic star, the price for believing in his cause was conclusively his career, but that hasn't stopped Kaepernick. The lack of support from the league hasn't hindered his actions or persuaded him to change his beliefs. The incredible dedication and passion Kaepernick holds for his values is exactly the kind of character marketed in Nike's brand. But it isn't all fame and glory for the public figure and brand; Nike took an extreme risk supporting such a controversial athlete and as expected, people had something to say.

Just hours after Kaepernick released the campaign photo, now former supporters of Nike took to social media in an uproar. There are people burning their Nike apparel and claiming they'll no longer purchase the brand's products. Even our president published a tweet regarding the backlash the company was receiving.

The misguided anger towards Nike derives from the misguided anger towards Kaepernick. The athlete was and still is simply exercising his freedom to protest. It is also important to know that Kaepernick consulted with a veteran before initially kneeling to make sure his message was not only clear but that it was respected by the men and women who have fought for this country. The idea behind kneeling is not an objection to the American flag, it is a challenge for our country to strive to do better in representing the statement "freedom and justice for all."

The premise of the campaign is to empower our youth to fight for what they believe in and to overcome any hardships that lie along the way. Kaepernick is at the forefront of a conversation that needs to be had in America and even if his athletic career is over, it is clear he is chasing a much bigger dream; one that Nike can get behind.