For its 30th anniversary of the “Just Do It” slogan, Nike, the American multinational shoes and clothing company, just launched a new advertising commercial. The ad, which features many athletes from different walks of life, is narrated by an outstanding, but politically controversial, US footballer. It opens with these daring words:
“If people say your dreams are crazy. If they laugh at what they 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.” The Nike commercial then builds up to these punchy lines: “Don’t believe you have to be like anybody, to be somebody…. Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything…. So don’t ask if your dreams are crazy. Ask if they’re crazy enough.” And just as the narration ends, the following words and the Nike logo are flashed on the screen: “It’s crazy enough until you do it. Just do it.”
The 2-minute “Just Do It” commercial is brilliant, attention-grabbing, and inspirational—even if one believes the Nike ad is motivated by financial or political considerations. Also, whether or not we agree with the social activism of the narrator, one cannot ignore the powerful words Nike placed on the lips of Colin Kaepernick, that outstanding US footballer who, in 2016, ignited a political controversy by choosing to kneel on one knee rather than stand while the US national anthem was being played before the start of football games—and paying a price for it. The apt tagline from his protest lips are: “Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything.”
In my opinion, Nike couldn’t have found a better messenger and face for its “Just Do It” label than a first-class player who is willing to take an unpopular stand to highlight racial injustice, and to risk all for a cause he believes in. Also, the powerful statement, urging us to “believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything,” resonates at different levels—whether it’s sports, politics, personal aspiration, self-motivation, or even faith.
However, I’ll hasten to add that, on issues of religion and ethics, it’s never wise to just “believe in something” or to “just do it.” Instead of mindlessly heeding bumper-sticker slogans, a better way is to first “prove all things, and [then] hold fast [to] that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Believe in something if it’s true, and just do it if it’s right. To believe and do otherwise is crazy.—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim
PS. Here’s a YouTube link to the 2-minute Nike commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CwY5atbYnE.
© Samuel Koranteng-Pipim: Permission is granted to share thought nuggets from this website provided they are reproduced in full and are for non-commercial use only. Pertinent quotes can also be excerpted from the nuggets and shared with others. Users of both nuggets and/or quotes must acknowledge Samuel Koranteng-Pipim as the author and give the appropriate EAGLESonline link as the source.
SAMUEL KORANTENG-PIPIM,PH.D. , is a US-based Ghanaian author, inspirational speaker, leadership trainer, and an advocate for youth empowerment. He was trained in engineering and systematic theology, and has authored more than twenty books. They include his bestselling works Hope Through the Dark, Six More Chances, Healed Wounds but Ugly Scars, and Patience in the Midst of Trials and Afflictions. Dr. Pipim currently directs two Centers for Leadership Development known as EAGLES (Empowerment & Advisory Group for Leadership, Excellence, & Service) and ANANSE (African Network & Advisory for Needed Services & Excellence). www.EAGLESonline.org. He also serves as a special consultant on Bible projects for Remnant Publications. 