NFL on Nike-Kaepernick deal: Issues ex-QB 'raised deserve our attention'

The NFL released a statement on Tuesday after Nike, one of its major sponsors, named free-agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick as the face of its 30th anniversary "Just Do It" campaign.

"The National Football League believes in dialogue, understanding, and unity. We embrace the role and responsibility of everyone involved with this game to promote meaningful, positive change in our communities," said Jocelyn Moore, the NFL's executive vice president of communications and public affairs, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

"The social justice issues that Colin and other professional athletes have raised deserve our attention and action."

Nike announced the deal on Monday, sparking wide-ranging reactions. While some praised the decision to tacitly endorse the quarterback's work against social inequality and police brutality with the campaign, others were critical and said they would no longer be purchasing the company's products - with some even burning Nike clothes in protest.

The campaign kicked off with a close-up image of Kaepernick with the words, "Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything."

Kaepernick, who is currently suing the NFL for collusion, has been away from football since opting out of his deal with the San Francisco 49ers in March 2017.