Much of the criticism has come thanks to an anti-Nike tweet she sent in September. In that tweet, which has since been deleted, a photo showed that Bono used a black marker to cover up a white Nike logo on a pair of golf shoes -- a symbol of protest against Nike's polarizing "Just Do It" campaign featuring anti-police activist Colin Kaepernick.
The National Black Police Association released an open letter they sent to Mark Parker, Nike's CEO, saying that NBPA "believes that Mr. Kaepernick's stance is in direct alignment with what law enforcement stands for—the protection of a people, their human rights, their dignity, their safety, and their rights as American citizens."
"This man has thrown his support behind divisive anti-police groups, and donated money directly to a fugitive from justice who escaped prison after killing a police officer. I question the judgment of anyone who would put someone this controversial and divisive at the head of an advertising campaign, but it isn't my company to run."
"If Nike chooses to create an ad campaign featuring a former quarterback who describes cops as 'pigs' and makes large donations to the family of a convicted cop killer and wanted fugitive Joanne Chesimard, who murdered New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster in cold blood in 1973, they are free to do so."
Many Americans who own Nike products have been burning or otherwise destroying them or giving them away in response to the announced ad campaign. People also responded angrily on social media with images of flag-covered coffins of fallen officers and military personnel representing real sacrifice vs. Kaepernick's career woes.
A team of officers at the Chicago Police Department wore the new Nike SFBs during 12-hour shifts of crowd control duty last summer and scored them on comfort, features, durability, what law enforcement assignments they would be good for, and value.