Nike Celebrates NFL Legend Barry Sanders’ Career With Limited-Edition Shoes
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Football is as much a part of Thanksgiving as pumpkin pie and turkey, so it’s fitting that Nike is paying homage to an NFL legend on the holiday.
The Swoosh is releasing a limited quantity of Nike Air Zoom Turf Jet 97 trainers on Thursday, Nov. 28, on Nike.com at 12:30 p.m. ET in memory of longtime Detroit Lions star Barry Sanders’ career. The athlete retired 20 years ago.
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The sneaker was originally introduced in 1997, with Brett Favre as an endorser in addition to Sanders. The shoe has a rubber outsole, Air Zoom cushioning and an adjustable Velcro strap.
The Sanders-inspired take comes in the Lions’ team blue and white colors, with the running back’s number, 20, and “Lions” written across the midfoot straps.
“It is such a huge honor that they are bringing back this shoe in my honor, and I can’t thank Nike enough on behalf of my fans everywhere,” Sanders said in a statement. He has been a Nike spokesman for three decades.
Only 2,053 units of the $150 shoes have been made, a symbolic number that equals the most rushing yards Sanders ever recorded in a single season (1997).
Today, 250 pairs of the shoes dropped on the Lions Team Shop. Around 1,800 pairs will be released tomorrow.
The ex-NFL player will sport the kicks on the field Thursday because he will serve as honorary captain for the Lions’ game against the division rival Chicago Bears.
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