Nike Is Ridiculed in a New Gillette Ad That Takes Aim at Kaepernick

Nike might be able to take some pointers from Gillette.

While the athletic gear company has seen a sales jump since it made former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick the center of its new advertising campaign about “sacrifice,” it has also inspired protests and anger from those who feel “sacrifice” is too strong a word to describe political activist and national anthem kneeler Kaepernick.

The company has been publicly criticized by many including Taya Kyle, wife of the late Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, and President Donald Trump.

The first Kaepernick ad from Nike showed the former quarterback’s face with the caption “Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything.”

A second ad that kept the theme of sacrifice going was narrated by Kaepernick himself.

Gillette has now launched a new ad campaign that seems to have the same general theme as Nike’s — but with a few differences.

The center of this ad campaign is Shaquem Griffin, an NFL rookie who is playing his first year with the Seattle Seahawks.

Griffin made it to the NFL though he only has one hand.

Gillette’s ad tells Griffin’s story — and shows him practicing as a child with his brother, who now plays on the same team as him, to be the best he can be.

“NFL rookie Shaquem Griffin knows that nothing comes easy. From earning defensive player of the year in college to suiting up for the Seattle Seahawks, hard work and a dedicated father have helped Shaquem overcome any obstacle. We are proud to share his inspiring story,” said Gillette in a public statement about the partnership with Griffin.

An extended ad shows Griffin’s father talking about the success of his two sons.

“It’s all about work,” he said. “Putting in the work and Shaquem, he believed. He believed.”

He added, “To watch your kid’s dream come true? Heartstopping.”

One of these companies is succeeding by highlighting hard work, family and perseverance.

Both Nike and Gillette seem to have the goal of showing real sacrifice and defying the odds through their new ad campaigns.

They are using very different individuals and very different stories to do so, however.

Watch Gillette’s Griffin ad below: