Real Madrid Star Vinicius Junior recently thanked the athletic apparel company Nike for setting him up to meet former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Both athletes are known for their activism on social justice issues.
Colin Kaepernick has made a career of activism
Kaepernick was essentially kicked out of the league following the 2016 season when he took a knee during the national anthem to protest police brutality. He’s been a part of several activist movements for social justice since he last played in the NFL.
Nike set up a Vinicius Junior meeting with Kaepernick
Kaepernick, who has had several partnerships with Nike to celebrate his activism, met up with Junior to discuss how to make a better world, per Junior’s X account:
“Today was a very, very special day for me… Listening and learning the story of a MAN that has been fighting so much against racism was unforgettable for me. Thank you so much, Colin. Your story is truly inspiring and I recommend everyone to watch your Netflix documentary.
Thank you Nike for connecting us. This day and my conversation with Colin will have a major impact on my life going forward to make this a better and more equal world.”
Today was a very, very special day for me…
Listening and learning the story of a MAN that has been fighting so much against racism was unforgettable for me.
Thank you so much, Colin. Your story is truly inspiring and I recommend everyone to watch your Netflix documentary.… pic.twitter.com/5Nan2vlorf— Vini Jr. (@vinijr) February 6, 2024
Vinicius Junior has been a victim of racist attacks in La Liga
Per Goal.com, Junnior has been a victim of racial attacks during his time with Real Madrid:
Hats off to Javier Tebas! On an evening when a stadium full of idiots at Mestalla racially abused Vinicius Jr, the president of La Liga still managed to once again look like the most ignorant man in Spanish football. Less than an hour after the Real Madrid winger had rightly slated the authorities for doing nothing to tackle one of the biggest problems facing the game today, Tebas posted a response of staggering stupidity.
Junior has shown bravery by playing through the racial attacks in his soccer career. Kaepernick has not been as lucky in his NFL career.
Kaepernick asked the New York Jets to take him on as a practice squad quarterback for the 2023 season. But they were unwilling to sign him. It’s unlikely Kaepernick will find a team to play for in 2024.
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