Sun’s going down earlier, the temperature is dropping, if you’re a football fan you know what that means…the NFL is officially back. There is so much to look forward to this season, especially when looking at it through a footwear lens. Before you give your full attention to the slate of week one games, join us for a look at some of the biggest footwear stories this season.
Dak Prescott + Jordan Brand
“Tell Mike I want to come over to the brand.”
“Tell his agent to call my guys.”
As reported by Tashan Reed of The Athletic, that’s an exchange Dak Prescott and Michael Jordan had through a host in the Bahamas this past offseason when the two happened to be vacationing at the same spot. The rest is history, as Prescott joined Jordan Brand this past June.
The five-year deal made Prescott the highest-paid NFL player on JB’s roster and their only starting quarterback. You don’t shell out money like that without big plans.
While only time will tell what those plans are, we can certainly speculate what’s to come. Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News, reported that Dak won’t receive a signature shoe this season (though the option is on the table for the future), but bringing some classic colorways to the gridiron seems like a no-brainer. Each week Dak should be lacing up something different to have social media jumping. At the very least, we need to see him in an AJ13 ‘Flint’ PE cleat this season to match the famous Cowboy fan meme.
Dak is not the only Dallas sports star on the Jordan Brand roster, he joins Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic and Satou Sabally of the Dallas Wings. Might we see a Dak x Luka release?
We’ve seen the Jumpman make its way to NBA jerseys, might we see the Jumpman on a Cowboys uniform in the near future. A Jumpman x Cowboys line will send all of our uncles into a frenzy.
Love ‘em or hate ‘em, the Cowboys are the NFL’s most popular team and it’s a huge coup for Jordan to have their quarterback headlining their roster.
“OBJ…I’m Him”
Odell Beckham Jr. is one of a kind. Early in his career, dynamism on the field and brash style off of it vaulted him into stardom. In the 7 years since his NFL debut, all eyes have been on OBJ. From New York to Cleveland, he’s consistently the talk of the league.
One of the biggest talking points surrounding OBJ is his footwear. On the field, he has set the standard for cool cleats. So much so that in 2018, Nike gave him his own cleat, the Vapor Untouchable Pro 3 OBJ Uptempo. As the name suggests, the cleat takes after the classic Nike Uptempo. But instead of “AIR” on the sides, the cleats read “OBJ.”
When you’ve got your own cleat, you’ve got to deliver some heat. OBJ and Nike have accepted and killed that challenge. Consistently bringing to life exceptional designs. Whether he’s riffing on a classic sneaker or wearing something completely original, it’s always fun to see what he’s wearing pregame (due to NFL restrictions players can only wear non-team colors in pregame) and at kickoff.
Unfortunately, OBJ missed most of last season with a torn ACL. His return to the field is not just a good thing for Cleveland Browns fans, but for sneaker enthusiasts as well. He will certainly make every Sunday must-see television.
Patrick Mahomes II + adidas
At 25 years old, Patrick Mahomes II is the face of the NFL. The young quarterback has a Super Bowl ring, MVP trophy, graced the cover of Madden twice, and has kids’ across the country trying to mimic his electric play.
If you need more proof, look no further than his recently unveiled signature shoe, the adidas Impact FLX. Which quickly sold out in its inaugural release this past August. An impressive feat no matter how you look at it.
In the ‘90s and early ‘00s it was common for NFL stars to have their own signature sneaker. Today, it’s a rare sight (J.J. Watt’s Reebok line is the only active signature sneaker line in the NFL). adidas giving Mahomes his very own signature shoe is a testament to his star power on and off the field.
With his Kansas City Chiefs having five primetime games this season (tied for most in the NFL) you have to believe adidas will be looking to cash in on that star power. Expect to see crazy colorways of cleats during warmups and in-game. Shock drops of the Impact FLX after monster performances from Mahomes aren’t out of the realm of possibility either.
My Cause My Cleats
View this post on Instagram
Once a year, the NFL loosens the rules and allows its players to express themselves through their footwear. That week is dubbed #mycausemycleats. Players choose charities and causes that resonate and support them through custom footwear. The cleats are then auctioned off on NFL Auction, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the player’s charity.
#mycausemycleats is the one time a year where players can wear whatever footwear they choose, they’re no longer restricted to team colors or white/black. It’s always great to see NFL players using their platform and helping raise money for good causes. But…the NFL is behind the times. In a day and age where the NBA allows players to wear any footwear (with minimal rules), it’s ridiculous that OBJ has to change his pregame cleats because they’re prohibited due to color.
The NFL is often referred to as the No Fun League, if they want to combat that, allow players to wear whatever color cleats they want. It’s fun for the players, it’s fun for fans, and it’ll be great for brands. #mycausemycleats is one of the best weeks in the NFL Season, but the NFL should definitely build on it.
Here Comes the Zoom
View this post on Instagram
Anyone that’s watched the New Orleans Saints over the last several years knows that Alvin Kamara is a star. But with the retirement of Drew Brees his star is about to get a little brighter.
The team, the city are both his for the taking. As such, adidas needs to take notice and step their game up with Kamara. The Saints are a local television juggernaut, routinely leading the country in ratings. The city rides for the Saints and adidas should be capitalizing on that.
You may remember last year when Kamara wore red and green cleats on Christmas Day en route to a historic day (6 touchdowns & 155 rushing yards). The performance was memorable, but the cleats stole the show. Even with the NFL’s $5000 fine for improper footwear, the story had a happy ending. “If they fine me, I’ll just match it and send it to charity. The Grinch always tries to steal Christmas,” Kamara said to Amie Just of NOLA.com.
The recent launch of Mahomes line should serve as the blueprint for Kamara. With his personality and the Saints’ fun black and gold color scheme, we should definitely have eyes on what Kamara and adidas have cooked up this season.
What will Tom Brady wear?
No, the undisputed football GOAT isn’t a footwear free agent but he won’t be able to sport the Under Armour logo on the field this season. It was reported back in February by the Financial Times that Under Armour and the NFL had ended their on-field licensing agreement which prevents its logo from showing up on the field. That includes gloves and cleats which are prime advertising real estate for the defending Super Bowl champion.
This isn’t the first time a major brand was logo-less on an NFL field though. For years, the Jumpman logo wasn’t allowed on the field but Air Jordan cleats are so recognizable that it didn’t hurt as much. They’ve since signed an agreement with the league that paid off last season with the iconic DeAndre Hopkins jump-ball catch. That isn’t the case for UA and not having Brady visibly repping the brand in what could be his last season seems like a miss.
A More Style-Conscious League
Historically, the NFL hasn’t been a go-to source for style inspiration. Sure, there have been outliers like “Broadway” Joe Namath and his sideline fur coat and Deion “Primetime” Sanders with his bandana, jewelry, and signature Nike kicks, but for the most part, fashion and the NFL never went hand in hand. That’s been changing in recent years thanks to cues taken from the NBA and WNBA. While it’s hard to replicate tunnel ‘fits in the NFL, teams have got creative with capturing players on their way to the team bus or plane.
Now, anyone can become a style influencer with the right ‘fits and Instagram presence. As it becomes more normal throughout the league, expect more players and maybe even coaches (like Sean Payton) to think about their pregame or sideline kicks more. Jordan Brand is definitely doing their part by stacking their roster with some of the brightest stars and lacing them with the hottest footwear for on and off the field.
