Love this issue for the hilarity of it. That sports has become so embroiled in politics lately (as everything is these days, it's becoming the modern version of religion I've been saying) to me somewhat portrays how politics have become sports in America. My team vs yours, and no matter what I support my team! Doesn't matter who the players are, what the issues are or even the scandals, if they are on my team I support them and boo the opposition.
As with Kapernick, I'm no autobiographer of his, but what has he sacrificed?
He has had a pretty good life from my understanding. He politicized his place of work in a manner that if any of us with jobs did, we'd be fired and rightfully so according to most laws I believe. This doesn't matter if you agree with his politics or not. I know that's a hard concept in 2018.
In terms of sacrifice in his career as a multi millionaire pig skin holder and tosser, where? He was an ok to decent QB from all accounts, certainly not a rare talent and thus not hard to replace. He turned down a huge contract renewal with the 49ers from my understanding, looking for a vetter deal or team and neither popped up. Turning down a contract looking for a better one yet not getting it is not a sacrifice, it's just foolish decision making.
Why no better deal? He doesn't have the talent to justify his divisive politicizing of the game Americans love in part because they could get away from said politics. That simple.
As for the Nike deal it makes sense. Adidas has been promoting cultural icons such as Pharrel in their latest a adverts with all star athletes. Hate him or love him, think he is good or not, Colin Kaepernick is a cultural icon in America. He will be very popular with many just as he is very unpopular with others. The big deal is this is a political cultural icon and not a relatively nuetral one in terms of politics.
Some might say this is a further attempt to bring politics into sports the way ESPN has become a political network that occasional does sports (jokes but some serious lol) but I think this is just a marketing ploy.... the question is will it drive more sales than it dives away?