Colin Kaepernick's Nike ad wins Emmy for outstanding commercial

Back in 2016, NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick made headlines around the world for his method of protest against police brutality. Kaepernick refused to stand during the national anthem - choosing to kneel down instead - and this went on to spark a nationwide discussion on systematic racism and the most appropriate way in which to protest against it.

While many praised the quarterback for drawing attention to the plight that many people of colour in the US face, others criticised his method of protest, claiming it was anti-American. Some of these critics even went as far as to say that what he had done was an insult to his country, and the veterans who had served it.

In any case, Kaepernick opted out of his contract with the 49ers after the close of the 2016 season in order to become an unrestricted free agent. He had planned to find other roles within the NFL - but the offers never came.

In February 2019, he reached a settlement with the NFL in the collusion case he brought against them following his protest.

Last month, Kaepernick posted this video saying he's been 'denied work for 889 days' and is 'still ready' to play in the NFL:

In the last couple of years, Kaepernick has continued with his activism. He also became the face of a controversial Nike ad campaign, something which saw "record engagement".

This is what the ladies of The View had to say about this new ad campaign:

On Saturday, in fact, the ad won the Creative Arts Emmy for Outstanding Commercial over a year after its premiere, CBS News reports.

The former quarterback narrated the commercial, which was created by the Wieden+Kennedy ad agency and produced by Park Pictures. A number of renowned athletes appeared in the two-minute commercial, titled Dream Crazy, including Serena Williams and LeBron James.

Per CBS News, Nike's stocks rose by 5% in the weeks after the commercial's release.