The sportswear company Nike is making the controversial former football player, Colin Kapaernick, the face of its new "Just Do It" campaign, celebrating the player for his outspoken political beliefs.
The former 49er tweeted a preview from the campaign Monday. The image was a closeup of his face with the words: "Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything."
Nike's advertising campaign is premised upon the popular theory that that Kapaernick isn't playing in the NFL due to the controversy surrounding his protests of the National Anthem.
But it's not so, as the Denver Bronco's John Elway recently told the media.
The Broncos were looking to sign a backup quarterback, and approached Kapaernick with an offer.
However, the athlete/activist declined.
"I said this a while ago: Colin had his chance to be here," Elway said. "We offered him a contract. He didn't take it."
Kaepernick filed a grievance against the NFL, claiming team owners conspired against him after he wasn't signed during his free agency, which began after the 2016 season. Kaepernick entered free agency after opting out of his contract with the 49ers. Kapaernick has thus turned down two opportunities to play in the NFL.
Elway, along with other NFL owners, were deposed as part of the player's suit against the league.
"As I said in my deposition -- and I don't know if I'm legally able to say this -- he's had his chance to be here," Elway reported. "He passed it."
So when Nike claims Kapaernick "sacrificed everything" for his beliefs, it's perpetuating a myth, a myth which Kapaernick is depending on to prevail in his case against the NFL.