Arizona Governor Doug Ducey is rejecting Nike's move to the Grand Canyon State after the company pulled a shoe featuring the first American flag made by Betsy Ross. They did so after former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick complained about its production.
Today was supposed to be a good day in Arizona, with the announcement of a major @Nike investment in Goodyear, AZ. THREAD—>
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) July 2, 2019
1/
And then this news broke yesterday afternoon. 2/https://t.co/NmM8OPGR0G
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) July 2, 2019
Words cannot express my disappointment at this terrible decision. I am embarrassed for Nike. 3/
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) July 2, 2019
Nike is an iconic American brand and American company. This country, our system of government and free enterprise have allowed them to prosper and flourish. 4/
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) July 2, 2019
Instead of celebrating American history the week of our nation’s independence, Nike has apparently decided that Betsy Ross is unworthy, and has bowed to the current onslaught of political correctness and historical revisionism. 5/
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) July 2, 2019
It is a shameful retreat for the company. American businesses should be proud of our country’s history, not abandoning it. 6/
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) July 2, 2019
Nike has made its decision, and now we’re making ours. I’ve ordered the Arizona Commerce Authority to withdraw all financial incentive dollars under their discretion that the State was providing for the company to locate here. 7/
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) July 2, 2019
Arizona’s economy is doing just fine without Nike. We don’t need to suck up to companies that consciously denigrate our nation’s history. 8/
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) July 2, 2019
And finally, it shouldn’t take a controversy over a shoe for our kids to know who Betsy Ross is. A founding mother. Her story should be taught in all American schools. In the meantime, it’s worth googling her. 9/9
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) July 2, 2019
Nike signed Kaepernick as a brand ambassador last year after he repeatedly refused to stand for the National Anthem and wore socks depicting police officers as pigs.