Nike is recalling an American flag-themed sneaker after former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick complained that it harkened back to the slave era, The Wall Street Journal is reporting.
Nike had already delivered the Air Max 1 USA sneakers to stores when Kaepernick, a Nike endorser, complained about a Revolutionary War-era version of the flag stitched on the back of the shoe, according to The Journal.
The flag, designed by Betsy Ross, has 13 stars in a circle with 13 red and white stripes to represent the original colonies.
A Nike spokeswoman confirmed to The Journal that the shoes were pulled from shelves because of the flag.
“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,” the spokeswoman said.