From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
According to the Wall Street Journal, Nike has pulled a sneaker featuring the Betsy Ross version of the American flag from stores after Colin Kaepernick complained.
Citing sources familiar with the matter, the WSJ reported that Kaepernick told Nike that he and others consider the flag to be offensive and a symbol of slavery.
The “Betsy Ross” flag, which emblazoned the heel of the sneaker, featured 13 stars in a circle on a blue field. The flag flew during the American Revolution.
Nike reportedly shipped the shoe to retailers this week for the Fourth of July, but stores were asked to return the shoes to the manufacturer.
“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,” according to a Nike spokesperson.
Kaepernick, 31, gained notoriety as an NFL quarterback, but more recently as an activist who would kneel during the National Anthem. Nike features him the the company’s “Just Do It” campaign.