1993 Nike Commercial with Charles Barkley

The 1993 Nike commercial featuring Charles Barkley is famously known as "I am not a role model." This advertisement was groundbreaking for its time, sparking controversy and discussion about the role of athletes as role models in society.

The commercial starred Charles Barkley, a prominent basketball player known for his talent on the court as well as his outspoken personality. In the ad, Barkley addresses the notion of athletes being role models, a concept that was widely debated during the 1990s. The campaign was created in response to the ongoing debate about whether professional athletes should be seen as role models for children and young adults.

The commercial generated significant attention and controversy, with many people applauding Barkley for his honesty and willingness to address a contentious issue. Others, however, criticized Nike and Barkley for what they perceived as a rejection of responsibility by athletes to serve as positive influences on young people.

This commercial is often related back to being inspired by the 1968 Olympic Games when Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fists during the medal ceremony. 

Some believe that there’s a direct connection to what happened in the 1960s to now. When you look back, you have a blueprint for the utilization of the sports platform to protest.