Sneaker and sports apparel company Nike has canceled production of a new American flag themed shoe design after a complaint from former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
Kaepernick demanded the company not sell the shoe because the design featured an American flag which Kaepernick claims is a symbol of slavery in the United States. The Betsy Ross American flag design, which is featured on the shoe, contains 13 stars that represents the original 13 colonies.
Nike has asked any retailers who received a pair of the shoes to return them to the company without offering an explanation.
A Nike spokesperson said, "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."
Kaepernick currently has a sponsorship endorsement deal with Nike. They've recently featured him in an ad campaign touting the slogan, "Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything." The campaign references his protests of the national anthem.
Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) responded to the news on Twitter by saying, "It’s a good thing @Nike only wants to sell sneakers to people who hate the American flag."