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NEW YORK – Holding his girl in his arms, LeBron James said Tuesday that he "stands by Nike's side", clearly referring to Colin Kaepernick's advertising campaign.
The basketball superstar – and the new Los Angeles Laker – made the remarks by receiving an award for his style and philanthropy from Harlem Fashion Row. The fashion group teamed up with Nike for the event in New York, both a fashion show and a diversity awards ceremony in the world of fashion.
The Coalition of Players has written an open letter saying that NFL players will "fight for significant change as long as necessary", claiming that it is their duty as Americans.
President Donald Trump said that Colin Kaepernick's inclusion in Nike's latest "Just Do It" ad campaign is a "terrible message", while the NFL said the issues raised by Kaepernick deserved "attention and action".
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In concluding his remarks, he said he was "for anyone who believes in change". He added, "I'm with Nike, all day, every day."
Kaepernick, the former quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers, unveiled Monday his first announcement of the new campaign. "Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything," he said.
The new agreement sparked a lively debate. Some expressed dissatisfaction with the garment giant's support for a player known to have sparked a wave of protests among NFL players against police brutality, racial inequality and other social problems.
Some angry fans even burned and cut off the swoosh logos on their gear – and posted the results on social networks.
President Donald Trump spoke of fan backlash in a tweet on Wednesday.
Just like the NFL, whose odds have dropped, Nike is being killed with anger and boycott. I wonder if they had an idea that it would be like that? As for the NFL, I have a hard time watching and I will always do it until they show up at the FLAG!
– Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 5, 2018
Trump on Tuesday called Nike's new advertising campaign starring Kaepernick "a terrible message" in an interview with The Daily Caller. He added that "Nike is one of my tenants and they pay a lot of rent." Niketown New York was located on the Trump 6 East 57th Street property, but has announced plans to relocate to a new space on Fifth Avenue in 2019.
Trump criticized NFL players who knelt during the national anthem in protest of social injustice. He frequently called the league and commissioner Roger Goodell for their inability to restrict practice.
Several sources told Dan Graziano, of ESPN, that the NFL was unaware of Nike's advertising campaign before its launch on Monday. In fact, sources told Darren Rovell of ESPN that none of the organizations for which Nike manufactures apparel had been aware of Kaepernick's announcement before its unveiling.
But Kaepernick and its Nike campaign, which marks the 30th anniversary of Nike's "Just Do It," received wide support from the fashion world on Tuesday.
Bethann Hardison, a diversity activist in fashion and a former model who was also honored by Harlem's Row, said she was pleased with Nike's gesture. "It's a situation so divided in our world right now," she said about the negative reaction of some fans. "But I'm a big supporter of Colin, I'm very proud that someone understands what he's done and gives him congratulations."
The famous African-American designer Tracy Reese said that she liked the new Nike campaign.
"It was done with taste," she said. "And really, it's time to stand up for what you believe in. Colin Kaepernick did that and I think we have to follow his example and really go where the heart leads, instead of knowing where everyone else is. waits."
The evening ended with the revelation of the latest LeBron James Nike basketball shoe: a sports shoe designed by three African-American designers and inspired by strong African-American women.
In his emotional remarks, James paid tribute to the three women of his life: his mother, his wife, and his 3-year-old daughter, Zhuri.
He noted that his mother had raised him alone and had given him "a feeling of pride, a sense of strength, a sense of worry".
"Thanks to you, Gloria James, I can today be able to give back and show why I believe that African-American women are the most powerful women in the world."
The NBA star, who wore one of her suits in shorts tuned by designer Thom Browne, called her daughter "my rock".
"People always told me that if you had a girl, she would change you," said James, who also has two sons. "I was like nobody was changing me, I'm a man." But she did, he said.
"Not only has she changed me, but she has also made me a better person," James said. "A more dedicated person, a stronger person, I suppose a more sensitive person."
Streetwear designer Dapper Dan and stylist Jason Rembert were also honored at the ceremony. A fashion show highlighted the work of designers Kimberly Goldson, Undra Duncan and Fe Noel, who helped create the new shoe.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
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