John Rich, of the country mega band Big & Rich, is slamming Nike for its decision to ink a deal with Colin Kaepernick.
John Rich unloaded on the sports brand for its mega-deal of custom shoes, apparel and merchandise featuring the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback as part of its “Just Do It” 30th anniversary campaign.
Rich called Nike out for the deal he said “makes me sick” and is an insult to law enforcement, referring back to Kaepernick wearing socks featuring a pig dressed up in a police uniform.
Hey @Nike I guess you made @Kaepernick7 your new “face” of the brand because you love the way his socks look with your shoes? @Reebok here we come. #WeStand @TomiLahren @greggutfeld @kilmeade @RedneckRiviera pic.twitter.com/tgtbl8VFzv
— John Rich (@johnrich) September 3, 2018
Hey @nike if you’re gonna make the shoes, make the PIG SOCKS to match. Right? Cmon, people will LOVE that.
— John Rich (@johnrich) September 3, 2018
Responding to reactions on Twitter, Rich explained how comparing police to pigs “ends the conversation for me,” noting his gratitude to police officers who protect and serve at Big & Rich concert events.
When you compare police to PIGS, this ends the discussion for me. If you don’t find a problem with that, then feel free to unfollow me. The police JUST SHOWED UP at our concert to protect and serve, I’ll ask them what they think and get back to you… https://t.co/S7KwlTeZos
— John Rich (@johnrich) September 3, 2018
Nike is facing severe backlash from those denouncing its deal with Kaepernick who took a knee during the national anthem ahead of an NFL game in 2016, sparking a firestorm of criticism and setting off a wave of controversial copycat actions by other athletes.
Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything. #JustDoIt pic.twitter.com/SRWkMIDdaO
— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) September 3, 2018
And while Nike is feeling the heat from American patriots who feel the brand is promoting unpatriotic protests, the left is solidly behind Kaepernick who has been a free agent since he opted out of his contract with the 49ers.
For others like Rich, Nike has gone too far and many like Big & Rich’s sound man responded in kind.
Our Soundman just cut the Nike swoosh off his socks. Former marine. Get ready @Nike multiply that by the millions. pic.twitter.com/h8kj6RXe7j
— John Rich (@johnrich) September 3, 2018
First the @NFL forces me to choose between my favorite sport and my country. I chose country. Then @Nike forces me to choose between my favorite shoes and my country. Since when did the American Flag and the National Anthem become offensive? pic.twitter.com/4CVQdTHUH4
— Sean Clancy (@sclancy79) September 3, 2018
Rich continued his takedown of Nike in several other tweets, responding to critics without missing a beat.
Pride goes before a fall. Watch @nike stock by this time next week. https://t.co/lh6ATTNwVi
— John Rich (@johnrich) September 3, 2018
Yea, and he’s burning them as soon as we get to Nashville. You can bet your ass on that big shot. https://t.co/l7jJULVRSU
— John Rich (@johnrich) September 3, 2018
The fact that I have to explain that MOST of us own @nike products prior to this “Revelation” that Mr. #PIGSOCKS #ColinKaepernick is now their poster man, let’s me know you’re smoking too much, and are probably living in your parents basement. https://t.co/uhR7aKRCCk
— John Rich (@johnrich) September 3, 2018
I’m owned? Nah, just saying what millions of us think. The difference is I don’t care about the firestorm. If you support #PIGSOCKS then the conversation is over anyway. https://t.co/9cOfQOZmOF
— John Rich (@johnrich) September 4, 2018
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Frieda@bizpacreview.com
Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
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