Nike scrap Air Max 1 trainer that featured ‘offensive’ slavery-era US flag after complaints from NFL star Colin Kaepernick
NIKE shelved the release of a new pair of Air Max 1 trainers to mark the 4th of July following complaints it featured an “offensive” flag linked to the time of slavery.
The sneaker giant reportedly ditched the in-demand £100 sports shoes at the last minute after a complaint from outspoken NFL star Colin Kaepernick.
The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback said he felt the use of the 18th century Betsy Ross Flag carried slavery connotations, sources told The Wall Street Journal.
It said after pics of the shoe were posted online Kaepernick – a Nike ambassador – contacted the company saying he and others felt the flag was offensive because of its “connection to an era of slavery.”
In response, a Nike spokeswoman said: “Nike has chosen not to release the Air Max 1 Quick Strike Fourth of July as it featured the old version of the American flag.”
Nike had already shipped the shoes to stores when it asked for them to be returned without any further explanation, according to the reports.
What is the Betsy Ross Flag and why do some say it is offensive?
The Betsy Ross flag features white stars in a circle representing the 13 original US colonies and was created during the American Revolution.
At the time pushed for the expansion of slavery and stated that those born into slavery were destined to be slaves for life.
The flag got it’s name from the woman who is said to have sewn the first “stars and stripes” on the US flag in 1776.
However, the flag has more recently been hijacked by some extremist groups opposed to increasing diversity in the US.
A 2018 story by The Outline claimed the flag was on display in the home of a member of white nationalist group Identity Evropa.
However, some of the shoes have made it onto the market and one online retailer is selling pairs for up to £1,600.
News of the decision has sparked very mixed reactions on social media.
“The Betsy Ross Flag has been turned into a symbol of white nationalism and domestic extremism,” one person wrote.
“Conservatives will whine, but Colin Kaepernick was right to speak out and Nike was right to pull the products.”
However another wrote: “Can we just for ONE DAY Attempt to be Americans and be PROUD especially during the 4th of July! The day we became America?!”
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Kaepernick who famously knelt during the National Anthem outraging Donald Trump was named the face of Nike’s latest ‘Just Do It’ campaign last year.
The 31-year-old last played in 2016, the season he began kneeling on the field to call attention to social injustices and racial inequality.
He has yet to comment on today’s reports.