Nike Pulls Independence Day-Themed “Betsy Ross Flag” Sneakers After Colin Kaepernick Whines

Apparently, Colin Kaepernick is still around, occasionally descending from his lofty dwelling to notify us mere mortals of when we’re about to stumble over the line into racist microaggression.

Good thing, because I was just about to pick me up a sweet pair of kicks inspired by the Betsy Ross flag just in time for Independence day. That is, before I learned that they’re bad and racist and evil and insensitive, of course.

I once thought that those were some fine looking patriotic shoes and appreciated the hat tip to the legend of Betsy Ross and the wartime era of America’s very first birthday, but I am now forever grateful that Kaepernick stepped in before it was too late.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Nike decided to pull the offending shoe, called the “Betsy Ross,” from production after NFL quarterback-turned-political activist Colin Kaepernick complained:

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 images of the shoe were posted online, Mr. 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. Mr. Kaepernick declined to comment.

After images of the shoe were posted online, Mr. 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. Mr. Kaepernick declined to comment.

Alright, enough of the sarcasm. I think Nikes look like an adult-sized toddler shoe and I would never drop $140 on them, but holy buckets. This is ridiculous.

Showing just how dedicated Nike is to obeying the commands of Kaepernick, the shoe giant recalled the shoes after they had already shipped out to retailers this week. Nike demanded that stores send back the hate-shoes and it isn’t available for sale on the brand’s website.

One can only guess what will become of the dog-whistling alt-right footwear—donated to a third world country, maybe? Incinerated? Sent back to the factory to be refurbished and emblazoned with more inclusive symbolism? Who knows.

A statement from Nike to CNN Business was rather terse and said only that they had decided against releasing the sneaker because it featured an “old version of the American flag.

Yeah sure, buddy.