Nike has pulled a flag-themed shoe this week following criticism from Colin Kaepernick, the former NFL quarterback-turned-racial equality activist.
The new release, the Air Max 1 USA, featured what’s commonly known as the Betsy Ross flag on the heel of the shoe. Ross designed the flag during the American Revolution in the 1770s with 13 white stars forming a circle.
But the problem, Kaepernick told Nike, is that the flag is a symbol of an era of slavery. Kaepernick is one of Nike’s endorsers and has been the face of past ad campaigns for the athletic-wear company.
The shoe was set to go on sale this week to celebrate July 4th, but is no longer available.
