Sports apparel company Nike pulled a new shoe design ahead of its planned sales date because former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick complained about its featured Betsy Ross American flag design.
Kaepernick told the company it shouldn’t sell a shoe with a symbol that he and others consider offensive because the flag marked an era when slavery existed in the United States, according to the Wall Street Journal. The Betsy Ross American flag is the nickname for the design of 13 stars that represents the 13 colonies arranged in a circle.
After the company shipped the shoes to retailers, Nike asked for them to be returned without explaining why.
“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,” a Nike spokeswoman said.
Looks like the “Fourth of July” Air Max 1 are getting pulled pic.twitter.com/UKLd4MvH8a
— J23 iPhone App (@J23app) June 25, 2019
Kaepernick is sponsored by Nike, which featured him in an ad campaign that told people, “Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything,” referencing his protests of the national anthem when he was with the San Francisco 49ers. The protests were to bring attention to police brutality and issues that minorities face.
He then became a free agent after the 2016 season and has not been signed by another team since. Kaepernick and other players filed collusion grievances against the NFL, claiming the owners had blacklisted them because of their protests. The league settled with them for under $10 million.
“It’s a good thing @Nike only wants to sell sneakers to people who hate the American flag….” tweeted Republican Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.
It’s a good thing @Nike only wants to sell sneakers to people who hate the American flag…. @NFL #HappyFourth https://t.co/G6w8vDjvLP
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) July 2, 2019
