Print Ad for Nike Soccer gets nationalistic

A somewhat strange Nike soccer ad appears in the November 7th issue of Sports Illustrated. It's full of patriotism, nationalism and attempts to get the point across that soccer is for Americans in time for the World Cup playoffs in Germany.

(read on to see the ad)

As text doesn't reproduce so swell for the web, here's the copy:

Headline: So Says This American Game

It is hereby stated that this game, needing only a ball and your feet, is no longer the whipping boy of the ignorant.

This game, from sea to shining see, has swarmed America's parks and yards. Every green space and driveway is our shooting gallery. This game is now as integral to our country as hot dogs at a barbeque or turkey on Thanksgiving or fireworks on the Fourth of July. It is booming. It is exploding. Light fuse and get away.

So Says This American Game.

We live in a proud nation of more than 17,000,000 players of this game. We outnumber Holland's total population. We are twice the size of Portugal's population. By sheer numbers alone, we are going to sweep over most of the globe.

So Says This American Game.

Our men's national team ranks in the top ten of the world. Less than 20 short years ago, even microscopic island nations drooled rivers at the opportunity to dribble around us; to make us wish we never gained independence from England. They laughed at us.

Now these United States are going to Germany to play on the biggest stage of all. It is our fifth consecutive qualification. Other nations do not merely scout us anymore; they toss and turn and develop digestive problems over us. And our sport is one in which you actually play other countries on your way to the world championship.

So Says This American Game.

A fierce, unwavering strength of this land is that it is the great American melting pot. No game has taken grater advantage of this fusion than ours. We assemble a rich roster of Hispanic, European, Asian and African cultures, kick in a ball, stir it all up, and make the best of all worlds.

So Says This American Game.

Our preeminent stars include everyone from a player who grew up in a Texas trailer home to a striker who learned to shame defenders in the projects of Florida. This sport is no longer exclusive to the children of the suburbs. The minivan is not the official vehicle of our sport.

So Says This American Game.

Yes, there are still those who despise our sport-our own countrymen, in fact. But let them hate. Let them moan all they want from atop their barstools and behind their keyboards and radio booth glass; the First Amendment guarantees they can do just that. But there is nowhere in that hallowed, yellowing document that says we will listen.

So Says This American Game.

And no matter how much France looks down on us, or Brazil doubts us, or England mocks us; no matter what the odds, or the situation, or the game, the American people have this uncanny, gloriously stubborn belief that if we want something badly enough we will achieve it. This is the desire that coursed through the veins of our revolutionaries in 1776 and of our hockey team in 1980. Our country finds a way to win.

So Says This American Game.

This is soccer. A game for the flag-waving, tax-paying, apple-pie-eating, Star-Spangled-Banner-singing, red-blooded American.

So Says This American Game.

Nike