Nike’s decision to drop Lance Armstrong from its endorsement list reveals a sad dichotomy that exists in sports today. Armstrong, as an upstanding white role model, is held to a much higher standard than most black athletes. He has suffered intense scrutiny for years. He has always remained professional despite constant attacks on his ability and his character. As a cancer survivor, life priorities change, and he decided that he no longer wanted to continue to battle governing agencies to prove his innocence. Despite the allegations he remains inspirational as a creator of the LiveStrong Foundation. This is in total contrast to Nike’s support of Michael Vick, a quarterback with minimal success, a felony conviction with jail time, and questionable character at best.
Nike views a convicted black athlete not in a jail as a role model but a legendary white cyclist accused repeatedly without proof as a pariah.
— John Luckwitz, Vancouver