Colin Kaepernick's Nike sneakers, Air Force 1, sells out in less than a day after its launch
Former NFL star Colin Kaepernick's Nike shoes, Air Force 1, sold out on the first day that it went on sale in North America.
The fact that Kaepernick's sneakers sold out so fast just goes to prove that his retail business has not suffered a bit despite the various calls of boycott against the company given Nike's close relationship and association with Kaepernick. We had previously reported that the Air Force 1 sneakers feature a black suede and leather upper with a gradient black-to-white leather swoosh.
There is also an embroidered caricature of Kaepernick, 32, on the white leather heel panels along with the 'K' branding on the tongue. On the outsole of the shoe, the date '08 14 16' has been printed and is a reference to the date that Kaepernick first knelt to protest police brutality. Kaepernick stirred a national controversy in an effort to protest against reported police brutality against black people in the country.
Other players soon took his cue and joined the protest in the 2016 season and many others have continued the protest till now. Kaepernick had shared that he will be donating all the profits from the sneakers to organizations that are against systemic oppression.
He took to Twitter to share, "Great news! @ShoePalace will be donating all profits from the sale of my shoes to organizations fighting systemic oppression. Make sure you go to Shoe Palace and http://ShoePalace.com to get your shoes." The addition of the hashtag #TrueTo7 is a tribute to his former jersey number and is also featured on the shoe.
Even though Nike is a major partner of the NFL, the company decided to make Kaepernick, 32, the face of an ad campaign for the company's 30th anniversary last year despite the fact that he has not played in the NFL since 2016. As reported by CNN, a spokesperson for Nike said, "Nike partnered with a collective of collaborators to design an AF1 that connects to their life personally."
"Colin was identified because we believe his voice and perspective inspire many generations on and off the field," the spokesperson continued.
