Nike-Kaepernick partnership controversy
Nike's newest advertising campaign, featuring Colin Kaepernick, is proving controversial in the US.
American football player Kaepernick famously knelt instead of standing when the US National Anthem was played at games during the 2016 season. He said he was protesting at police brutality towards African Americans, which divided opinions as some people said his actions were unpatriotic.
Language challenge
A synonym of 'controversial' is:
a) contentious
b) agreeable
c) unbiased
________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS REVIEW PODCAST NOW AVAILABLE - SUBSCRIBE HERE
________________________________________________________________________________
Did you like that? Why not try these?
____________________________________________________________________________________________
The story
The sports giant Nike has said its latest advertising campaign will feature Colin Kaepernick, the former American football player, who led a protest against police brutality toward African Americans.
Kaepernick was a quarterback with the San Francisco 49ers for six years, but stirred a controversy in 2016 when he knelt down during the playing of the US national anthem before matches.
Key words and phrases
provocative
causing a reaction of anger, desire or thought
• After a provocative debate, both candidates waited to see the result of the vote.
• The television show was considered too provocative, and was cancelled.
exiled
forced out of a place or group, often for political reasons
• Napoleon was exiled to Elba after his defeat by the Allies.
• I lived for 20 years as an exile before I was allowed to return to my country.
litmus test
action that shows someone's real thoughts or opinions
• The by-election was widely seen as a litmus test for the national elections.
• His behaviour towards Annie is a litmus test of his attitudes to women in general.
To do
Try our quiz to see how well you've learned today's language.