Nike has cancelled the release of Air Max 1 trainers created for American Independence Day after their design was reportedly labelled offensive by former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
The shoes, which featured red, white and blue colouring, bore an early version of the American flag designed by Betsy Ross that has 13 stripes and 13 stars to represent the original US colonies.
Concerns over the design were allegedly raised by the sportsman, who fronted Nike’s “Just Do It” 30th anniversary campaign, after he saw images of the design online.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Kaepernick told the brand he and others found the flag offensive due to its associations with slavery.
The flag in question was created in 1792, at which time the slave trade was rapidly expanding and lawmakers declared that those born into slavery were slaves for life.
The flag has since been co-opted by extremist groups and is viewed by some as a symbol of white nationalism.
Nike has confirmed that the trainers would not go to market on Monday 1 July as planned in a statement, explaining the brand has “chosen not to release the Air Max 1 Quick Strike Fourth of July as it featured an old version of the American flag”.
Despite the decision not to release the shoes, images of the footwear remain on social media and have prompted further criticism.
“So Nike uses a flag that was flying when slavery was still going on… not a good move at all,” wrote one person underneath an Instagram post from Sneaker News that featured the shoes.
Another added on Twitter: “The Betsy Ross flag has been turned into a symbol of white nationalism and domestic extremism. Conservatives will whine, but Colin Kaepernick was right to speak out and Nike was right to pull the products.”
The Independent has contacted a representative for Colin Kaepernick for comment.
