An American football star who sparked a furore by kneeling during the national anthem has been unveiled as the new face of a major advertising campaign.

Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick will front Nike’s “Just Do It” 30th anniversary campaign.

In 2016 Kaepernick refused to stand for the anthem in protest at police violence against African-Americans.

Many other players followed suit but the protest has divided the country.

President Donald Trump has called players who “disrespect” the US flag “sons of bitches” and called for them to be sacked.

The Nike adverts show Kaepernick with the slogan: “Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything.”

Kaepernick is one of a number of sports stars, including fellow National Football League (NFL) players Odell Beckham Jr and Shaquem Griffin, to appear in the 30th anniversary “Just Do It” campaign.

On Monday the star posted the advert and the slogan on his Twitter account.