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Colin Kaepernick narrates and stars in Nike’s ‘Dream Crazy’ film

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By Kyle O'Brien, Creative Works Editor

September 5, 2018 | 5 min read

The controversy following Nike’s decision to use Colin Kaepernick in its ads just got upped a notch by the shoe giant. In a new short film, ‘Dream Crazy,’ not only does the former 49ers and University of Nevada star narrate the latest ‘Just Do It’ spot, he makes an appearance as he continues his theme of sacrificing everything for what you believe.

Colin Kaepernick Nike

Colin Kaepernick narrates Nike's latest Just Do It ad

Nike stated on its news website that, to celebrate the rich diversity embedded within its signature tagline, the second film in the series, ‘Dream Crazy,’ focuses on a collection of stories that represent athletes who are household names and those who the company feels should be. The common denominator is that all the athletes represented in the film leverage the power of sport to move the world forward.

Along with inspirational professionals, like LeBron James, Serena Williams, Odell Beckham Jr., Eliud Kipchoge, the two-minute film shines the spotlight on incredible athletes, including: 29-year-old basketball phenom and wheelchair athlete Megan Blunk, who took gold in Rio in 2016; Isaiah Bird, who was born without legs, and at 10-years-old has become a force on his wrestling team; Charlie Jabaley, an Ironman who made over his life by dropping 120 pounds, going vegan, and in the process, reversing the growth of a life-long brain tumor; and Michigander Alicia Woollcott, who played linebacker and was named homecoming queen during her high school senior season.

Other emerging professional athletes and world champions alike who make the cut are: Canadian soccer star Alphonso Davies; Hawaiian big wave surfer Kai Lenny; American skateboarders Lacey Baker and Nyjah Huston; German champion boxer Zeina Nassar; and U.S. Soccer's Women’s National Team.

Narrated by Kaepernick, the film is meant to inspire those who have crazy dreams and goals that may seem unsurmountable.

Here is the full text of Kaepernick’s narration:

“If people say your dreams are crazy

If they laugh at what you think you can do

Good

Stay that way

Because what non-believers fail to understand is that calling a dream crazy is not an insult

It's a compliment

Don't try to be the fastest runner in your school

Or the fastest in the world

Be the fastest ever

Don't picture yourself wearing OBJ's jersey

Picture OBJ wearing yours

Don't settle for homecoming queen or linebacker

Do both

Lose 120 pounds and become an Ironman after beating a brain tumor

Don't believe you have to be like anybody to be somebody

If you're born a refugee, don't let that stop you from playing soccer

For the national team

At age 16

Don't become the best basketball player on the planet

Be bigger than basketball

Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything

When they talk about the greatest team in the history of the sport, make sure it's your team

If you have only one hand, don't just watch football

Play it

At the highest level

And if you're a girl from Compton, don't just become a tennis player

Become the greatest athlete ever

Yeah, that's more like it

So don't ask if your dreams are crazy

Ask if they're crazy enough.”

The first film in the Just Do It film in the series, ‘Voice of Belief,’ featured Serena Williams and her return to the US Open, with the words of her father and video of her learning the sport, then dominating.

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