Mike Rowe says Nike should have paid homage to 9/11 victim Tom Burnett

LOS ANGELES, CA – JULY 10: Actor Mike Rowe speaks at the "Somebody's Gotta Do It" portion of the 2014 TCA Turner Broadcasting press tour at the Beverly Hilton on July 10, 2014 at Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner / WireImage)

(2014 WireImage)

Dirty Jobs star Mike Rowe looks at the recent controversy over Nike's decision to make Colin Kaepernick, a controversial NFL player, the 30th anniversary of his "Just Do It" campaign .

In response to a question from the fans, Rowe noted that the company could have avoided the policy and used this week to pay tribute to a brave American who lost his life during the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

In the United States, the presenter refrained from condemning Kaepernick or his decision to kneel during the national anthem to protest the manner in which blacks are treated in the United States. He also indicated that Nike was free to use his interlocutor.

"Nike is free to celebrate whoever he wants, and Kaepernick is entitled to his opinion – kneeling, standing or lying," the 56-year-old said on Monday. "But if I had to put someone's face on a billboard – someone who embodied bravery and sacrifice – I might have taken a different direction, especially at that time of the year. I may have gone with this guy – Tom Burnett.

The message was shared with a photo of Burnett, who died after helping to recapture the plane that crashed into a Pennsylvania field. His last conversation with his wife went public and he now remembers his last words that Rowe published.

"Tom's last act on earth was one of the bravest things imaginable. And his last words to his wife, Deena, are some of the most inspiring I've ever heard, "he continued.
"These exact words are at the top of this page and at the bottom. They were spoken seventeen years ago, in conditions that I hope I never know. I will never forget Tom's last words. I hope you will not do it either.

Nike received criticism from conservatives last week when it announced that Kaepernick would be the face of his birthday campaign. He even posted a promotional ad in the first game of the 2018 NFL season. The approval of the athletics company renewed the ongoing debate among football fans regarding kneeling players during the national anthem, a faction calling it a peaceful demonstration and the only one in the world. another calling veterans and the flag disrespectful.

Rowe, who remains notoriously isolated from political conversations, chose to send the sincere message to the faithful on the occasion of the 17th anniversary of the attack.