Nike is in hot water after launching their highly controversial ad campaign featuring Colin Kaepernick. Colin is now the face of Nike’s 30th anniversary of the ‘Just Do It’ campaign, but others on social media suggest former NFL player Pat Tillman would have strongly opposed players taking a knee. Tillman walked away from millions of dollars and the NFL to become an Army Ranger when he was tragically killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan.
Tillman was lauded as a war hero, and his family was not told of the facts behind his death until after a televised memorial service. This was despite senior Army officials during the Bush years knowing the details well in advance of the service.
After learning how terrible the circumstances of his death are, Tillman’s widow and parents criticized the Army publicly for how the situation was handled.
Pundits weighed in on social media, including Fox commentator Stephen Miller, saying that Tillman sacrificed far more than Kaepernick.
Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything. #JustDoIt pic.twitter.com/SRWkMIDdaO
— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) September 3, 2018
Pat Tillman was a NFL football player that quit the NFL to join the army after 9/11. In 2004 he died in Afghanistan due to friendly fire. pic.twitter.com/qUbOYn7R87
— KEEM ? (@KEEMSTAR) September 4, 2018
The movement to promote and honor Tillman instead of Kaepernick is going viral:
Just putting it out there that Pat Tillman sacrificed just a *bit more than Colin Kaepernick.
— Stephen Miller (@redsteeze) September 3, 2018
As a vet I think they are showing intentional.disrespect.
— jeffswarens (@jeffswarens) September 4, 2018
This should have been a photo of Pat Tillman pic.twitter.com/saldgSaIAO
— Angela Morabito (@AngelaLMorabito) September 3, 2018
https://twitter.com/msuhajda/status/1036981779255754752
No Billy. Corporal Pat Tillman (NFL star who volunteered for Iraq where he died for his Country) is the one who sacrificed everything for what he believed in. You got the WRONG hero.
— Jim McDonald (@JimmyMacMAGA) September 4, 2018
If you believe in sacrifice Pat Tillman should have a Nike contract… he should also still be alive but first things first I guess
— Bodega Boy✨ (@_moanner) September 4, 2018
You should meet Pat Tillman’s family and thank them for his ultimate sacrifice. @Kaepernick7 is a disgrace.
— Brian E Buxton♏ (@realBrianBuxton) September 4, 2018
You would have had the support of the entire country… #nikeboycott #nike #pattillman #hero #warriorcode pic.twitter.com/LfI0frDNOP
— Warrior Code (@WarriorCodeUSA) September 4, 2018
https://twitter.com/JessicaRClark28/status/1036981574624010240
As this documentary for NFL Films shows, Pat Tillman was an impressive football player and role model for his teammates.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y60CjdhoV4E
In 2017, Tillman’s widow released a statement, noting her husband’s unifying, patriotic message: “As a football player and soldier, Pat inspired countless Americans to unify,” Tillman said. “It is my hope that his memory should always remind people that we must come together. Those that serve fight for the American ideals of freedom, justice, and democracy. They and their families know the cost of that fight. I know the very personal costs in a way I feel acutely every day.”
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