Nike pulled its Betsy Ross flag sneaker even before they ever hit store shelves.
The Air Max 1 USA sneakers were supposed to go on sale at the start of the July Fourth week, but the company abruptly asked retailers to return them.
The decision came after Colin Kaepernick decided they were offensive.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the heel of the shoe had the Betsy Ross flag, a version of the flag that has 13 white stars in a circle to represent the original colonies.
“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 told WSJ.
After images of the shoe were posted online, Mr. Kaepernick, a Nike endorser, reached out to company officials saying that he and others felt the Betsy Ross flag is an offensive symbol because of its connection to an era of slavery, the people said. Some users on social media responded to posts about the shoe with similar concerns. Mr. Kaepernick declined to comment. (WSJ)
Many on social media were outraged over the decision.
Nike pulled a Betsy Ross inspired US flag shoe because Colin Kaepernick said it was racially insensitive per @wsj. Unbelievable. pic.twitter.com/rCjcNpxzw7
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) July 1, 2019
Well this is bullsh*t. https://t.co/GPEwi5kxEL
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) July 2, 2019
#Nike. Just undo it.
— Radiance Foundation (@lifehaspurpose) July 2, 2019
Perhaps @Kaepernick7 can find a flawless nation under whose flag he can become a spoiled multi-millionaire who played with a ball. BTW, w/ his version of "blackness", when will he boycott Nike over its completely white executive team? https://t.co/cnMNUdO5bm pic.twitter.com/ku4PRDmWsF
Can’t wait until Kaepernick decides that the Philadelphia 76ers are offensive and have to be renamed. pic.twitter.com/pQGQKZ5KMr
— Bill Denbrough (@BDenbrough) July 1, 2019