Mullin: Just Don’t Do It

By Congressman Markwayne Mullin

Nike announced this week that the 30th anniversary of their “Just Do It” campaign would be led by Colin Kaepernick.  This is the same former National Football League (NFL) quarterback Colin Kaepernick who took a knee in 2016 during the playing of the national anthem to protest.

Kaepernick posted a photo from his Nike campaign with the text: “Believe in something.  Even if it means sacrificing everything.”  His tweet suggests that he himself has sacrificed his career in the NFL in order to protest a cause he believes to be worthy.  Other NFL players who have also taken a knee in protest have not lost their careers.  Maybe there is more to the story.

Patriots across the country took to Twitter to boycott Nike as its stock price fell.  A member of the country band, Big & Rich, cut the Nike logo off of his socks.  Other Nike apparel owners were shown burning Nike shoes on Twitter with the hashtag #BoycottNike.

As Americans, we have every right not to buy Nike products.  We also have the right to believe in something else.  I choose to believe in the strength and courage of our military.  I believe in the soldiers, sailors, and airmen who put their lives on the line every day because they believe that our country is worth dying for.  I believe in the sacrifices made by military families each time their loved one answers the call of duty.  I choose to believe in the bravery of our law enforcement officers who run toward trouble, when everyone else is running away from it.  I believe in their ability to make sure our streets are safe and that our kids get home safely from school each day.  I believe in the families of law enforcement officers who watch their loved ones leave home each morning, hopeful that they return safely each night.

My advice to you?  Just don’t do it.  We have a right to support companies that support our United States military members and members of law enforcement.  That choice to me is as clear as my choice to stand for our national anthem and proudly salute our flag and the men and women who have died to protect it every time it plays.