Colonel Frank Milstead, the Director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety, is now weighing in on the Nike print ad featuring Colin Kaepernick that has sparked so much social conversation.
Kaepernick posted a tweet making the Nike ad announcement Monday, which read, "Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything."
Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything. #JustDoIt pic.twitter.com/SRWkMIDdaO
— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) September 3, 2018
Col. Milstead tweeted Wednesday: "I’m often amazed, but really surprised. I won’t mention your name, I refuse. If you’re in search of those who paid the Ultimate Sacrifice I would look to the men and women who wear a uniform and are killed/murdered keeping us safe & protecting those who can’t protect themselves."
I’m often amazed, but really surprised. I won’t mention your name, I refuse. If you’re in search of those who paid the Ultimate Sacrifice I would look to the men and women who wear a uniform and are killed/murdered keeping us safe & protecting those who can’t protect themselves. pic.twitter.com/fD5kYhMhmq
— Col. Frank Milstead (@frank_milstead) September 6, 2018
The tweet features a black and white photo of fallen DPS Trooper Tyler Edenhofer with the same message as originally tweeted by Kaepernick. Edenhofer was shot and killed during an incident with a suspect in Avondale in July.
People have clicked the favorite button on Col. Milstead's tweet more than 100 times and have commented with both praise and criticism for the DPS director's tweet.
The television version of the Nike advertisement will debut Thursday night on the NFL kickoff. NFL players, including the Arizona Cardinals, wear Nike jerseys.
It's too early to know if the ad campaign will have a negative or positive impact on Nike sales.
Some users have pledged to boycott the apparel company even going so far as to post videos of Nike products being set on fire.
Others have questioned what Kaepernick has sacrificed, as he uses his platform to try to bring attention to racial injustice, compared to people who have served in the military or law enforcement.
Kaepernick has not played in the NFL since 2016 when his national anthem "kneeling" protest drew anger from the president and some fans.
