Colin Kaepernick featured in Nike campaign celebrating 30th anniversary of 'Just Do It' motto

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Colin Kaepernick is one of the faces of a new Nike advertising campaign commemorating the brand's 30th anniversary of the "Just Do It" motto.

The campaign features a close up of Colin Kaepernick's face and the words, "Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything."

The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback was the first to kneel during the national anthem in opposition to racial injustice.

"I think it's important to stand up for what you believe in," said Madison Boucher.

In September of 2017, President Trump tweeted, "The issue of kneeling has nothing to do with race. It is about respect for our Country, Flag and National Anthem. NFL must respect this!"

RELATED: Colin Kaepernick's legal team will subpoena Pres. Trump in case against NFL, report says

Kaepernick's stand may have cost him his career.

"He's being punished for taking a chance to speak out on something that needs to be spoken about," said Gurveer Sandhu.

Kaepernick filed a grievance, accusing the league's owners of snubbing him because of his decision to kneel during the national anthem.

Sandhu said he supports Kaepernick and Nike's campaign choice.

"That's beautiful that's exactly what it stands for sacrificing his own job to believe in something he stands for," said Sandhu.

RELATED: 49ers talk NFL policy on kneeling, state of team in Santa Clara

Others question why Nike is celebrating Kaepernick.

"What is he sacrificing what is Colin sacrificing," said Rip Gerber.

Gerber says he doesn't believe the NFL colluded to keep Kaepernick off the field.

"I don't believe the NFL has a super star chamber where they're secretly putting, I think it's a very competitive sport where the teams compete with one another the players compete with one another and it's more a performance based versus the macro issues," said Gerber.

This past May, team owners decided NFL players must stand during the national anthem this season. Players who don't could be fined, though the new policy does give players the option of remaining in the locker room during the anthem.

For more stories related to the national anthem protest, visit this page.