VOA · What's Trending Today?
Intermediate · B1–B2learner speed5:422018-09-05public domain
What's Trending Today? covers viral stories and social media moments in short, punchy reports. The episodes are brief and topical — perfect for a quick daily dictation session.
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01This is what's trending today.
02A business deal between Nike and former American football star Colin Kaepernick is creating a flood of debate online.
03Kaepernick became famous for starting a wave of protests among National Football League players of police brutality, racial inequality, and other social issues.
04The protests involve not standing during the singing of the United States National Anthem.
05It is often played before the start of sporting events.
06Before a game in 2016, Kaepernick remained seated for the anthem.
07At later games, he placed one knee on the ground.
08His move inspired some and angered others.
09Soon, several other NFL players began to kneel.
10Opponents said the protest act disrespected the country and its military servicemen and women.
11Supporters say the protest targets a lack of social justice in the country and has no connection to the military.
12Kaepernick was with the San Francisco 49ers in 2016.
13But he left the team after that season.
14He has not played football since.
15Kaepernick already had a contract with Nike that was set to end.
16Now, Nike has made him the face of its 30th anniversary Just Do It campaign.
17Kaepernick's lawyer announced the deal on Twitter, calling Kaepernick an all-American icon.
18Kaepernick also posted a Nike ad featuring his face with the words, Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything.
19Hashtag Just Do It.
20The Nike-Kaepernick deal was a trending subject on social media.
21On Twitter, some users urged for a boycott of the company's clothes and shoes.
22Some published videos that showed them burning or cutting the sportswear.
23Country music star John Rich tweeted a picture of one of his crew members holding the tops of a cut pair of Nike socks.
24A message underneath read, Get ready at Nike.
25Multiply that by the millions.
26The message received over 30,000 likes.
27There were also thousands of comments opposing the tweet.
28Others supported Nike and Kaepernick.
29Many suggested that those who were burning or cutting Nike products should instead donate them to homeless veterans or other people in need.
30Tennis star Serena Williams, who is also a Nike athlete, wrote on Twitter, Especially proud to be part of the Nike family today.
31Nike is the official uniform provider for the National Football League, which begins its new season on Thursday.
32Kaepernick has taken legal action against the NFL and its 32 teams.
33Last week, an arbitrator denied an NFL appeal to have the case dismissed.
34Kaepernick accuses NFL team owners of plotting to keep him out of the league because of his protests.
35A similar legal action was brought by former 49ers player Eric Reid, who joined in the protests.
36Reid is also now out of the league.
37On Friday night, Kaepernick and Reid attended the U.S.
38Open tennis tournament in New York City.
39They watched the match between Serena and Venus Williams.
40The two men received loud, supportive cheers when they were shown among the crowd on the big screen.
41After winning the match, Serena Williams told reporters, Every athlete, every human, and definitely every African American should be completely grateful for how Colin and Eric are doing so much for the greater good.
42And that's what's trending today.
43I'm Katie Weaver.
44I'm Katie Weaver.
// transcribed with Whisper AI — reading it is easy; catching it by ear is the skill
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