On Monday, Nike announced that Colin Kaepernick would be one of the people celebrating its 30th anniversary. Since then, there has been an extreme reaction over social media surrounding the controversial ex-San Francisco quarterback.

In 2016, Kaepernick chose to kneel during the national anthem at a pre-season game. He is well known for both kneeling and sitting during the national anthem to protest the treatment of minorities and police brutality. Many people, both Democrats and Republicans, were offended by this on the basis that it disrespected the flag and veterans who fought for our freedom.

Kaepernick insisted his form of protest had nothing to do with disrespecting the troops. He said, “I am not looking for approval. I have to stand up for people that are oppressed … If they take football away, my endorsements from me, I know that I stood up for what is right.”

President Trump has been very verbal about his disapproval of Kaepernick’s actions. He suggested team owners fire anyone who disrespects our flag. Trump has also acknowledged that it is Nike’s right to use Kaepernick. “…It is what this country is all about, that you have certain freedoms to do things that other people think you shouldn’t do,” said Trump.

Alongside the online outcry, there have been other responses. Truett McConnell University has stopped selling and buying Nike products, outraged citizens are destroying their Nike apparel, and many individuals have boycotted the company. On the other end of the spectrum, Nike’s online sales have increased 31% in the days following their ad.

Chapman High School is sponsored by BSN sports in Columbia, who happens to be the main supplier of Nike team items in our state. Athletic Director Kendall McCarter commented on the school’s partnership with Nike and made it clear that nothing is going to change.

“Using Nike apparel and supplies does not cross the political line. We use them because they produce a great product, at a great cost to us, and is what the student-athletes want,” McCarter said.

Regardless of how you might personally feel about Kaepernick’s choice to kneel, his form of protest was nonviolent and started a conversation. He potentially put his career at stake to stand up kneel for something he believed in. Barack Obama said in 2016, “…I’d rather have young people engaged in the argument and trying to think through how they can be part of our democratic process than those who are just sitting on the sidelines.” Right or wrong, this is exactly what the controversial ad is accomplishing.