#4 Nike: Just Do It?

Every athlete loved getting Nike clothes for their upcoming sport. Every year I would get a new pair of Nike basketball shoes for the season. A simple swoosh makes the whole shoe worth wearing. Not many people know about the background of Nike. The two major symbols of Nike have an interesting story.  

The Founders: Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight created Blue Ribbons Sports in January 25, 1964. On May 30, 1971 they changed Blue Ribbons Sports to Nike. The making of their company was started by Mr. Knight. Phil Knight made a student a pair of running shoes. Equipped with a waffle iron, he shaped the shoe by using a Japanese style. Track star of Oregon, Otis Davis went on to win two gold medals at the Olympics.

First, ironically, the “Just Do It” slogan comes from a murder. Gary Mark Gilmore was a man that was frequently caught in criminal activity including 3 robberies, 2 assaults, and 2 murders. The worst crime that was carried out was on July 19th and 20th, 1976. He was sentenced to death by firing squad in 1977. When asked any last words he said, “Let's do it.” Dan Wieden heard this and was inspired to create the “Just Do It” slogan. Dan Wieden was in advertising, and later Nike adopted his slogan. The founders of NIke (Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight) later added the Swoosh. The Swoosh means “Greek Goddess of Victory.” Ironically, the Swoosh and the Just Do It saying took off.

Both the Swoosh and Just Do it saying are on bags, shoes, and clothes. I find it funny that the Just Do It slogan was inspired by a murder. Now, Nike is worth billions. This year they have made a gross profit of 12.97 billion. All inspired by a murder, Nike is thriving today. Some might have thought that it was a stupid idea, but now the slogan Just Do It is everywhere. Goes to show that a stupid idea of brilliance can make millions. I wonder what was going through Dan Wiedon’s mind when he thought of creating the Just Do It saying. I would not think twice when hearing a murders last words. None less than get inspiration from what that man said. The next time you see a Just Do It slogan think about Gary Mark Gilmore. The hard ass man that said, “Let’s do it.”