Report: Kaepernick gets Nike to pull controversial flag-themed shoe

A Nike shoe featuring an early version of the American flag was set to be released this week until Colin Kaepernick advised against it due to a symbol that some consider offensive, according to Khadeeja Safdar and Andrew Beaton of the Wall Street Journal.

The Air Max 1 USA includes an early design of the flag - often attributed to Betsy Ross - on the heel. Kaepernick, a sponsored Nike athlete, told the company that the sneaker is offensive to him and others because the symbol is connected to the slavery era.

After hearing from Kaepernick, Nike asked stores to return the shoes before they hit shelves. In a statement, the company said the Air Max 1 USA was scrapped "as it featured an old version of the American flag," according to ESPN.

Kaepernick famously kneeled during the American national anthem during the 2016 NFL season in protest of racial injustice and police brutality in the country. He has yet to play in the league since opting out of the final year of his contract with the San Francisco 49ers to hit free agency.

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