Adidas unites with 'greatest competitor' in fight against racism

Adidas has backed its ‘greatest competitor’ Nike and united after days of protests in the US following the death of George Floyd.

Graphic footage of a white police officer pinning Floyd, an unarmed black man, to the ground - before he was pronounced dead - has prompted fierce outrage across the US.

‘POWERFUL’: NBA legend's heartbreaking George Floyd speech

‘AM I NEXT’: US teen star delivers powerful message on police brutality

Protests have turned into riots as footage shows looting across multiple cities in the US.

But in a powerful show of unity, Adidas joined forces with Nike to fight the battle against racism.

Nike tweeted a video under the caption: ‘Let’s be a part of change’.

“For once, don’t do it,” the video read.

“Don’t pretend there’s not a problem in America.

“Don’t turn your back on racism. Don’t accept innocent lives being taken from us. Don’t make any more excuses.

“Don’t think this doesn’t affect you. Don’t sit back and be silent. Don’t think you can’t be part of the change.”

But in a powerful move, Adidas shared the video on its social media.

“Together is how we move forward. Together is how we make change,” Adidas tweeted.

Sports business reporter Darren Rovell recognised the significance of the tweet.

“Imagine what it takes for a company to retweet its greatest competitor,” he wrote.

The two sporting powerhouses have joined many athletes, including Coco Gauff and LeBron James, in speaking out following the incident.

NBA great Stephen Jackson joins protests

Floyd’s family has been outspoken in the days since the Minneapolis man was killed by police in the city, and his famous friend has joined the outcry.

Retired NBA swingman Stephen Jackson has delivered an emotional plea during a protest rally in Minneapolis, which has captured the hearts of the US.

Jackson was longtime friends with Floyd, their relationship sealed the moment they met, Jackson said on Thursday.

And at a protest rally, he delivered ‘powerful’ words for his friend.

“I’m here because they’re not gonna demean the character of George Floyd, my twin,” he said, while wearing a black hoodie with the words: “RIP George Floyd” across his chest.

“A lot of times, when police do things they know that’s wrong, the first thing they try to do is cover it up, and bring up their background — to make it seem like the bulls — that they did was worthy. When was murder ever worthy? But if it’s a black man, it’s approved.

“You can’t tell me, when that man has his knee on my brother’s neck — taking his life away, with his hand in his pocket — that that smirk on his face didn’t say, ‘I’m protected.’

“You can’t tell me that he didn’t feel that it was his duty to murder my brother, and that he knew he was gonna get away with it.

“You can’t tell me that wasn’t the look on his face.”