Colin Kaepernick’s new Nike AD which was aired on Thursday as a NFL season opener caused quite the stir on social media! People from all walks of life piped in, even the president of the United States!

The two-minute commercial showcased many influential black athletes, Lebron James, Serena Williams, U.S women’s national soccer team, Canadian national team/MLS soccer player and African refugee Alphonso Davies and Shaquill Griffin, a one-handed former University of Central Florida linebacker who made the Seattle Seahawks’ roster last weekend. The advert  run during, “NBC’s telecast didn’t air until 10:52 p.m. ET — the first timeout of the third quarter.”  The advert starts with Kaepernick’s voice ringing in the background, “If people say your dreams are crazy, if they laugh at what you think you can do, good,” Kaepernick says at the start of the ad. “Stay that way because what non-believers fail to understand is that calling a dream crazy is not an insult, it’s a compliment.” The advert continues referencing as many minority groups that are around in sport today. It holds a powerful message, to encourage ANYONE to achieve their goals. The ad also came with a lot of commentary and criticism from the online space, from the right wing camp burning Nike products to make a political statement, to celebrities coming out to support Kapaernick personally. Others believed Nike did well in creating a PR stunt off the back of political controversy, referencing a similar tokenization with hijabed Muslim women.

Many celebs appeared on social media in support of Kapaernick and the advert…

My dreams were crazy enough. Are yours? #JustDoIt pic.twitter.com/QDcQwdIrD8

— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) September 5, 2018

Especially proud to be a part of the Nike family today. #justdoit pic.twitter.com/GAZtkAIwbk

— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) September 4, 2018

#JustDoIt https://t.co/sAIyZRIoPF

— LeBron James (@KingJames) September 5, 2018

What was Nike thinking?

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 7, 2018

BREAKING: Nike had been paying Colin Kaepernick all along, waiting for the right moment. That moment is now, as he becomes the face of the company’s 30th anniversary of the “Just Do It” campaign. pic.twitter.com/uccpDStbq5

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) September 3, 2018

Colin Kaepernick is a dude https://t.co/ay5Xd2cRPx

— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) September 4, 2018

The new @Nike ad campaign featuring Colin Kaepernick is beautiful, powerful and inspiring. I love it. https://t.co/fIo8lFBFpZ pic.twitter.com/tyBZFvXhS3

— COMMON (@common) September 3, 2018

Many took it as an opportunity to showcase racist vitriol

Kapaernick absolutely has the right to protest however he pleases. I also have the right to think that he's a whiney, no talent POS who deserves nothing ????‍♂️

— Jimmy McNulty (@McNutty116) September 4, 2018

Others referenced the political context

There's a whole sub-genre on YouTube (and the internet in general) dedicated to mocking the left for being "easily offended" but burning Nike shoes and cutting up clothes over an advertisement is seen as normal amongst these people

— Jake. (@YedIin) September 4, 2018

Rad @Nike is backing @Kaepernick7 rn, but I wish they'd also back the garment workers of color they exploit in their sweatshops, bc you know they also exist & backing dope ppl doesn't justify ur violence abroad. ????????‍♀️If we pro justice for ppl of color, let's not be exclusive.

— Hoda Katebi (@hodakatebi) September 4, 2018

Thank goodness Colin Kapaernick didn't set the flag on fire, all the haters would have to burn their house down to make their rancid, racist point.#NikeBoycott pic.twitter.com/d8pPaF3fSK

— SueMathews (@sukarma49) September 4, 2018

As a veteran who loves my brothers and sisters even when we disagree- we are a dramatic fucking group.

Kapaernick is doing good work, he puts his labor and money where his mouth is. Wish more of us could say the same

My service is not a rhetorical shield for broken systems https://t.co/uJjyqwgSHb

— PrairiePhlox (@PrairiePhlox) September 4, 2018

Lmao black people are extra asf #nike #Kapaernick pic.twitter.com/IgXSpYScgL

— 努尔 (@Officialn00r) September 7, 2018

Racist Americans are funny to now protest Nike because they choose to back Kapaernick but the fact they been running a sweat shop & buying material for 10 cents & reselling it for over hundreds of dollars to the American people is just fine ????

— Antwaan 2️⃣3️⃣ (@swaggiesurfing) September 4, 2018

Imagine being so anti-Black that you destroy shoes and clothes instead of donating to vets that really need them. Kapaernick literally sought advice from someone in the armed forces on a respectful way to protest. Y’all are too funny.

— Sarah M. ???????? (@pyrocoriolis) September 5, 2018

This is sad. Nike isn’t against police officers, and Kapaernick isn’t either. They’re against the killings. Your position is like saying that because I stand against child abuse, I’m against adults. Illogical and sad.

— Nia “I Have Time Today” Spencer (@niaaspencer) September 4, 2018

Hey maybe Colin Kapaernick would stand for the flag if y'all can be fucking nice to black ppl. Just maybe. I think that's why black ppl love Mexicans because we don't judge each other. We show love.

— Daniel Hernandez ???? (@DvnielHernandez) September 4, 2018

Don’t worry. We despise Kapaernick and love our flag. We’re just offering the viewpoint of the liberals, which is that anyone who doesn’t like Kap is racccciiiiisssstttt. pic.twitter.com/vPcGwgKjC2

— Mike (@mike_58stingray) September 6, 2018

I'm not saying the people burning their Nike shoes are stupid, BUT… pic.twitter.com/K2w8etw6p1

— Anti-Social Media (@ASM_AntiSocial) September 4, 2018

Meanwhile, at least one veteran accused Nike of “selling its soul” by using Kaepernick as a spokesman.

Others just wanted to pipe in

White people burning up the weakest throw away shoes that you cut the grass in Nikes LOL Lemme see you niggas burn up so Foams so I know it’s real ????????????????????

— Snapchat: WavyNiko (@NikoWavyWavy) September 5, 2018

Wanted to contribute to all this mess going on with Nike and Colin Kaepernick #nikead #unbothered pic.twitter.com/iFqKCdjTbM

— ImaniArts_ (@imaniarts_) September 6, 2018

Fans Defended Kapaernick

Colin Kaepernick chose to #TakeAKnee during the National Anthem to Peacefully Protest Unwarranted Use of Force & Oppression by Police against Minorities.

It’s NOT about the Flag or the National Anthem!#ImWithKaep #JustDoIt pic.twitter.com/QjcQfahcq3

— Sabine☮️ (@SabineResists) September 7, 2018

Colin kaepernick is that man pic.twitter.com/Egko69iv7b

— J A M A A L (@vJamaalv) September 7, 2018

If you hate Kapaernick I wanna know why. Are you mad Bc he stood up for what he believed in? Or are you mad that he was successful at doing it and y’all hate to see a black man succeed in life ????????????

— Nate (@nbryans2) September 3, 2018

Retired military. My first five years were spent staring down the Soviets. I put my ass on the line for Kapaernick's right to kneel as much as I did for your right to stand. If people in this country don't protest injustice when they see it, THAT is the real insult to my service.

— Jeff Sockwell (@LordDorndigaffe) September 4, 2018

Y'all hear about that man burning his house down while trying to burn his @Nikes?

When I tell you God don't like ugly…. pic.twitter.com/jC0MSouvt4

— DoctorJonPaul ???? (@DoctorJonPaul) September 6, 2018

DONATE THEM. DON'T DESTROY THEM: North Carolina police ask that you donate Nike shoes instead of burning them https://t.co/ERMT4dojfd pic.twitter.com/xFHdyUW3Tc

— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) September 5, 2018

It’s baffling to me how all these conservatives are burning/selling/disposing of Nike gear only because some guy kneeled during the national anthem. What’s even more baffling is how they’ve all managed to accept this sophism that kneeling equates disrespect.

— Nicky Scott (@NickSNoonan) September 6, 2018

For those who are burning their Nike products. Nike own various of companies. Jordan, Converse and Hurley. So Wypipo don’t forget to burn those as well. Plus the Jerseys of your favorite sports team because chances are Nike sponsors them as well. #NikeBoycott

— Pheona ???????? (@pheonajames_) September 6, 2018

I don’t know how many #trump supporters are burning their Nikes, but with a huge homeless population it seems like donating shoes to people who desperately need them makes more sense than lighting them on fire. pic.twitter.com/4e5QVgaWaB

— moby XⓋX (@thelittleidiot) September 6, 2018

Instead of burning your Nike… burn theirs? ???????????????????? pic.twitter.com/CbGTjIkgrI

— ????TIKI TIME???? (@rektredpill) September 7, 2018

Nike Burning Stand
Conservatively convenient.
Advertise your hate and bigotry.#MAGA #MAGAts @GOP pic.twitter.com/ZG4DPkECQH

— DiamondLynne (@DiamondLynne1) September 7, 2018

Im burning a huge pile of Nike gear at my house, so those of you who are throwing away your Nike shoes and clothing to boycott their involvement with Kapernick , sent it to my house so I can throw it in the pile ???????? #MAGA

— Tino Mafi (@tinomafi) September 5, 2018

Some called it a smart PR stunt on Nike’s part

Looks like Nike had a good day today!! #Nike #Kapaernick pic.twitter.com/Oh98REHR6B

— Pamela (@Pamela39372188) September 5, 2018

This is very shrewd marketing. Nike trainers we're never popular with Trump's base. But having kapaernick's supporters wearing your product is perfect! They are the trend setters of the trainer world!

— Giuliano (@JulianSales2) September 3, 2018

Or maybe people like me who support Nike and their decision to use Kapaernick? (I don't usually wear Nike but I might now!)

— GabiGemma (@gabfab59) September 7, 2018