Nike Pulls ‘Betsy Ross flag’ Sneaker After Colin Kaepernick Says It Was Offensive

Sneakers recalled from retailers; flag connected to era of slavery

When Nike released an ad featuring NFL player Colin Kaepernick, Twitter exploded with reactions. WSJ retail reporter Khadeeja Safdar breaks down #NikeBoycott, the impact it had on Nike’s stock, and more. Photo Illustration: Heather Seidel/The Wall Street Journal (Originally published Sept. 17, 2018)

Nike Inc. 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 NKE, -0.56%   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, 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. Kaepernick declined to comment.

An expanded version of this report appears on WSJ.com.