Tiger Woods said on Friday that the Nike commercial narrated by NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick was “something that’s special”, but added he did not know the company was producing the advert.
Former San Francisco 49er Kaepernick sparked a national debate when he knelt during the national anthem in the 2016 NFL season to protest racial injustice and police brutality.
The Nike commercial, which has been criticised by US President Donald Trump, was shown on American television during Thursday’s NFL season opener. It can also be seen online.
Protesters burned Nike shoes, investors sold shares and some consumers demanded a boycott of the footwear and apparel maker’s products after the advertising campaign launch.
The two minute-plus spot features dozens of athletes, including tennis champion Serena Williams, basketball’s LeBron James and Kenya’s Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge.
But Woods, though he has been a Nike-sponsored athlete since turning professional in 1996, does not appear in the advert.
“They did not tell me it was coming,” Woods told reporters at the BMW Championship outside Philadelphia on Friday.
“When corporate does things that are outside of golf and outside of my realm, that’s what they do.”
Woods, the second most successful golfer ever with 14 major titles, has been careful throughout his career to avoid saying or doing anything that could be construed as political.
But although he is not in the latest Nike campaign, Woods gave the commercial a public thumbs-up.
“I think Nike’s trying to get out ahead of it and try and do something that’s special. And I think they’ve done that. It’s a beautiful spot. Some pretty powerful people in the spot.”
The commercial has polarised opinion, with Trump among those critical of Nike for giving Kaepernick a public platform.
“What was Nike thinking?” Trump tweeted on Friday.
What was Nike thinking?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 7, 2018
Nike has sponsored Kaepernick since 2011 and the advertising campaign marks the 30th anniversary of its “Just Do It” slogan.
Kaepernick, now 30, is not currently on any NFL team roster.
Don’t ask if your dreams are crazy. Ask if they’re crazy enough. #justdoit pic.twitter.com/Wd5L42egV8
— Nike (@Nike) September 5, 2018
Meanwhile, on the golf course, Woods was trailing Xander Schauffele at the BMW Championship in Pennsylvania on Friday.
Schauffele vaulted to a two-stroke halfway lead as Woods and Rory McIlroy slipped back.
American Schauffele hit 17 greens in regulation and used a hot putter for a six-under-par 64 on the Aronimink course west of Philadelphia.
The Open Championship runner-up posted a 13-under 127 total, while Englishman Justin Rose shot 63 to roar into second place on 11-under.
McIlroy and Woods, who shared the first round lead, could not maintain their opening pace.
McIlroy plodded to a 69 to fall four strokes behind, while Woods (70) bogeyed the final two holes to slip five back.
Up-and-down from 256 yards.
An eagle for @TigerWoods. 🦅 #MustSeeMoments https://t.co/sX50na8uq7 pic.twitter.com/3Wx4x3aj7G
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 7, 2018
As Schauffele took command, Woods went in the other direction as the old putter that he put back in the bag and wielded so well on Thursday refused to co-operate.
“It was just one of those days,” he said after taking a profligate 33 putts.
“I hit it just as good and felt like I putted just as good. Just nothing went in.
“That’s the way it goes. That round was easily six- or seven-under-par, and I turned into even par, which is not what I needed to do today.
• Tiger, Spieth lose ground
It's all in #TheTakeaway from Round 2 @BMWChamps: pic.twitter.com/RIPjAtBZnN
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 7, 2018