Nike unveiled the second iteration of its Icon Jersey for former NFL star Colin Kaepernick.
The Swoosh brand stayed “True to 7” with its Icon Jersey 2.0 for the quarterback with an all-black design featuring elements inspired by the athlete’s likeness and persona. The Nike x Colin Kaepernick Icon Jersey 2.0 released today at 10 a.m. ET at Nike.com for $150.
The new design takes on a retro, minimalistic form in a powerful display of solidarity. The brand explained that the triple-black colorway pays homage to the fourth anniversary of Kaepernick’s decision to take a knee in protest against systemic racism and injustice during the playing of the national anthem before a San Francisco 49ers game. The jersey incorporates the athlete’s former number 7 along with his signature K emblem and a small recreation of his bust on a patch across the hem of the shirt.
The campaign imagery then places the jersey in front of walls coated in quotes and scribbles of powerful messages circulating around ending systemic racism, fighting injustice and pursuing a brighter future. One quote in particular sticks out, following Kaepernick’s motto throughout the past four years under the public eye: “True to each other. True to the movement. True to 7.”
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“Four years ago, Colin Kaepernick first took a knee to peacefully protest against systemic racism and social injustice. In the years since, he’s used his platform as an athlete to help advance the liberation and well-being of Black & Brown communities,” Nike explained in a statement. “Through his continuous commitment, the No. 7 jersey has become an iconic symbol for progress and positive change.”
The Colin Kaepernick Icon Jersey 2.0 quickly sold out after its early morning release and can now be found on the resale market for $390 to $600 at StockX.com.
The new release is the second iteration of a jersey collaboration between the brand and the football star. Together they released a black and white version in 2019 along with a collaborative re-imagination of the Swoosh brand’s classic Air Force 1 silhouette in December 2019. The Kaepernick x Nike Air Force 1 Low pays tribute to his former jersey number with “7” featured on a hangtag on the shoe. The low-top sneaker features black leather and suede uppers with a gradient black-to-white leather Swoosh contrasting with the tonal appearance.
An embroidered illustration of the former NFL quarterback is emblazoned on the white leather heel panels along with “K” branding on the tongue. Topping off the look is a white midsole and a translucent outsole. Printed on the outsole of the right shoe is “08 14 16” (Aug. 14, 2016), the date Kaepernick first knelt to protest police brutality.
