‘A Bit Too Woke for Us’: Nike Ends $20 Million partnership with Colin Kaepernick

In a shockingly candid press release this morning, Nike, the global sportswear titan, announced the termination of its $20 million partnership with Colin Kaepernick. The reason? The former NFL quarterback is, in Nike’s own words, “perhaps a tad too woke for our tastes.”

Kaepernick, the man behind the controversial NFL kneeling movement, had been working closely with Nike since 2018. The partnership spawned memorable campaigns like “Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything.” However, as it seems now, perhaps Kaepernick believed in “a little too much” for Nike’s comfort.

The word ‘woke’, originally African-American slang, has become a rallying cry in recent years. It indicates an acute awareness of social and political issues, especially around race. Kaepernick, in Nike’s perspective, seems to have taken wokeness to a whole new altitude – a bit too high for the comfort of the shoe giant’s boardroom.

Jim Sneakerhead, a senior executive at Nike, commented, “We appreciate passion. We do. But Colin started attending our meetings barefoot, advocating for the rights of shoeless people. It became hard to sell footwear when our own ambassador championed going without it.”

Kaepernick’s commitment to activism and justice has never been in question. But according to inside sources, things took a peculiar turn during a recent photo shoot for Nike’s new line of football cleats.

The shoot, themed “Stand for something”, was intended to picture Kaepernick boldly upright, counterpoising his NFL kneeling image. However, the session was interrupted when Kaepernick insisted on “levitating for justice.” The photographers were left flummoxed, unsure how to capture a floating Kaepernick for a “stand tall” themed shoot.

The decisive incident, however, was Kaepernick’s proposal for a new shoe line – “The Bare Necessities.” These shoes, in Kaepernick’s vision, would be entirely invisible, made from air, and ethically perfect because they would involve no labor, no materials, and no cost. While undeniably eco-friendly, Nike’s design team struggled with the logistics of creating, well, nothing.

“We tried to humor him,” said April Lacedup, head of Nike’s design division. “We even held a faux launch event for ‘Bare Necessities’. But when Colin started talking about ‘the Emperor’s New Shoes’, we knew we were out of our depth.”

Related Posts

MY DAUGHTER SWITCHED SEATS MID-FLIGHT—AND I FOUND OUT WHY TOO LATE It was supposed to be a quiet flight. Just me and my daughter, Reyna, heading to Phoenix to see my sister. I’d packed snacks, downloaded a few cartoons on the iPad, and even brought her unicorn plushie that she won’t sleep without. We boarded early, settled into our seats—me by the window, Reyna in the middle. I had just started zoning out, watching the tarmac, when I realized she was no longer beside me. I turned my head and there she was, squished in next to a man across the aisle, looking up at him like she knew him. “Reyna,” I said, trying to keep my voice calm. “Come back over here, baby.” She turned to me with the most serious face I’ve ever seen on a four-year-old and said, “No, I wanna sit with Grandpa.” I laughed awkwardly. “Sweetie, that’s not Grandpa.” The man looked just as confused as I was. “I’m sorry,” he said, glancing between us. “I’ve never met her before.” But Reyna didn’t budge. She grabbed the man’s arm with both hands and leaned in like she was guarding him. “She knows me,” she insisted. “You’re Grandpa Mike.” My stomach dropped. Not because I recognized the guy—he was a stranger to me—but because of the name. Mike. That’s my dad’s name. The dad who left when I was seven. The one Reyna’s never met. The one I never talk about. I tried to laugh it off again, but something about the way Reyna kept staring at him made my chest tighten. The man looked just as shaken as I felt. Then he said something I didn’t expect.⬇️ Continue reading in the first comment 👇

The flight was supposed to be silent. I’m travelling to Phoenix with my daughter, Reyna, to see my sister. I had packed food, downloaded a few videos…

If you don’t get enough of this 1 vitamin, your skin may lose elasticity and develop wrinkles. Full article 👇 💬

Vitamin C is a vital nutrient that plays a crucial role in maintaining the health and vitality of our skin. It is a powerful antioxidant that helps…

A message on the back of an SUV went viral after being shared on Reddit, quickly earning praise for the driver.. (check in first comment👇)

After being uploaded online, a phrase scrawled on the rear of an SUV swiftly gained popularity. After a Reddit user posted a picture of the driver on…

It’s been called the worst thing you can do. 😨(check in first comment👇)

Waking up in the middle of the night can be frustrating, but trying too hard to fall back asleep can make it worse. Sleep experts recommend not…

I was shocked to learn why some window grills curve at the bottom – most people don’t know the real reason! 🤯👇Continue in first comment👇

Window bars are commonly installed for security purposes, but some feature a distinctive “potbelly” design, where the center of the bar bulges outward. This unique shape serves…

The full story is in the comments.⬇️

Samuel, come here.” Sam hesitated. His father rarely used his full name unless something was wrong. He entered the living room to find his father, eyes red…