Colin Kaepernick Convinced Nike to Pull This Year's July 4th Air Max 1
This year's for the Fourth of July won't be getting a release after all.
According to , have pulled the plug on the kicks at the request of none other than Colin Kaepernick. The activist and former NFL QB – who protested police brutality and racial injustices in the United States by kneeling during the national anthem during pre-game festivities in 2016 – reportedly informed the Swoosh that he and others consider the Betsy Ross flag that appeared on the heel of the shoe to be an offensive symbol given its connection to the era of slavery in the United States.
'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,' said a Nike spokeswoman.
The Swoosh also reportedly asked for retailers to return their stock of the sneaker. Naturally, aftermarket prices for the shoe have boomed following the announcement: asks on currently range from $2,000 to nearly $7,000.