Comment #5

mikeintexas — Tue, 02 Jul 2019 17:46:39 GMT

The NFL should never have settled with him. I don't think the owners colluded against him; like I said, many needed QB help but his phone didn't ring...or if it did, he wanted more than they were willing to give. He probably didn't want to take a discount for all the baggage he'd bring with him. Even if they did collude, it wasn't the first time and it won't be the last. Sometimes it's simply not worth the bad PR; Jerry Jones loves the limelight put on him and his 'Boys,... [ More ]

Comment #4

CARBOB — Tue, 02 Jul 2019 16:59:11 GMT

He blew his chances of ever being in the NFL Hall Of Fame which is every football players dream. I doubt that never crossed his mind.

Comment #3

mikeintexas — Tue, 02 Jul 2019 14:04:51 GMT

I wanted to come back and clarify that I in no way supported Kaepernick's protest, only his right to do so. I simply think there were other, more productive ways to do it. "Actions speak louder than words", but some actions speak volumes.

Comment #2

mikeintexas — Tue, 02 Jul 2019 11:22:52 GMT

The leftist's plan of action is backfiring on them, trying to make radical changes far too quickly. They should have taken a page from Martin Luther King in his noble cause, do it peacefully and in time. The rioting done in black neighborhoods most likely set back the civil rights movement by years. The Chinese know this more than anyone else, playing "the long game", planning on putting forth and ramping up their national interests over decades, if not even longer, but here lately they... [ More ]

Comment #1

eddessaknight — Tue, 02 Jul 2019 05:55:21 GMT

Whatever happens to our 'e Pluribus Unum' Fight Back: It's not separation from each other but national UNITY

Original Blog Entry: Nike Nixes 'Betsy Ross Flag' Sneaker After Colin Kaepernick Intervenes

eddessaknight — Tue, 02 Jul 2019 05:47:28 GMT

Nike Nixes Betsy Ross Flag Sneaker After Colin Kaepernick Intervenes

Sneaker maker pulls Independence Day-themed shoes after NFL star raised concerns about its symbolism

Nike endorser Colin Kaepernick told company officials that the early American flag is an offensive symbol because of its association with an era of slavery. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

By

Khadeeja Safdar and

Andrew Beaton

July 1, 2019 7:35 pm ET

Nike Inc. NKE 1.74% is yanking a U.S.A.-themed sneaker featuring an early American flag after former NFL star-turned-activist Colin Kaepernick told the company it shouldn t sell a shoe with a symbol that he and others consider offensive, according to people familiar with the matter.

The sneaker giant created the Air Max 1 USA in celebration of the July Fourth holiday, and it was slated to go on sale this week. The heel of the shoe featured a U.S. flag with 13 white stars in a circle, a design created during the American Revolution and commonly referred to as the Betsy Ross flag.

After shipping the shoes to retailers, Nike asked for them to be returned without explaining why, the people said. The shoes aren t available on Nike s own apps and websites.

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.

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.

The design was created in the 1770s to represent the 13 original colonies, though there were many early versions of the America flag, according to the Smithsonian. In 1795, stars were added to reflect the addition of Vermont and Kentucky as states

.

In 2016, the superintendent of a Michigan school district apologized after students waved the Betsy Ross flag at a high-school football game, saying that for some it is a symbol of white supremacy and nationalism, according to Mlive.com, a local news outlet. While the flag s use isn t widespread, the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People said at the time that it has been appropriated by some extremist groups opposed to America s increasing diversity.

Mr. Kaepernick, 31 years old, last played in the NFL in 2016, the season he began kneeling on the field during the national anthem to call attention to social injustices and racial inequality. He has gone unsigned since and, along with former teammate Eric Reid, recently settled collusion grievances that alleged the league and its teams conspired to keep them unsigned because of their outspoken political views. The settlement was for less than $10 million, The Wall Street Journal previously reported.

Last year, Nike made Mr. Kaepernick the face of an advertising campaign while he was still engaged in that dispute with the league a risky move given Nike s role as one of the NFL s biggest partners. The campaign generated a backlash among some consumers, who began torching Nike shoes and cutting its swoosh logo out of gear. The protests were countered by expressions of support for Nike.

Since the ad was released, Nike has posted higher sales, boosted by strong demand in both the U.S. and China. In the fourth quarter, sales rose 4% to $10.18 billion. Its share price has climbed more than 15% so far this year.

At least some shoes have already made their way to sneaker enthusiasts. Versions of the Air Max 1 USA were changing hands on sneaker-reselling site StockX for as much as $500 on Monday, according to the site.

Write to Khadeeja Safdar at khadeeja.safdar@wsj.com and Andrew Beaton at andrew.beaton@wsj.com

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