According to new poll from Quinnipiac University, American voters approved by a ratio of 49-to-37 percent of Nike’s decision to include Colin Kaepernick in the brand’s “Just Do It” anniversary ad campaign. The results showed a wide age gap as voters 18 to 34 years old approve 67-to-21 percent while voters over 65 years old disapprove by a narrow 46-to-39 percent.

“Take a knee. It’s your right, American voters tell NFL players. But many voters who agree with the right to protest disagree with the actual protests,” said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll. “But as for putting Colin Kaepernick’s name alongside the Nike swoosh, voters say, ‘Just do it.'”

Overall, the polling found:

  • American voters by a ratio of 67-30 percent indicated National Football League players have the right to protest by taking a knee during the National Anthem;
  • Men, 67-30 percent and women, 67-31 percent, are almost identical in their support for the right to protest, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University National Poll finds. Black, white and Hispanic voters all support the right to take a knee.
  • Republican voters do not support the right to protest 60-39 percent, the only listed party, gender, education, age or racial group opposed to this right.
  • American voters are divided 47-47 percent on whether they approve of NFL players kneeling in protest during the National Anthem. Men disapprove 50-43 percent as women approve 51-43 percent. White voters disapprove 53-41 percent while black voters approve of taking a knee 77-14 percent. Hispanic voters are divided 48-48 percent.
  • Independent voters also are divided, as 46 percent approve of taking a knee and 47 percent disapprove. Republicans disapprove 89-7 percent, and Democrats approve 79-14 percent.

From September 6-9, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,038 voters nationwide, with a margin of error of +/- 3.7 percentage points, including design effect. Live interviewers call landlines and cell phones.

More details are available here.

Photo courtesy Nike