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San Diego State.I'd be cool with a team that has an Aztec as it's mascot.
Unless you were the type of person who thought you could guilt them into giving you some money. If it were a Spanish team that had an Aztec being raped by a Conquistador as its mascot you might be a tad uncomfortable by that. Of course, that's such an extreme example nobody would defend it.
San Diego State.I'd be cool with a team that has an Aztec as it's mascot.
Nike Unveils Shoe Designed For American Indians
Company Wants To Promote Fitness, Help Lower Obesity Rates
BEAVERTON, Ore. -- Nike on Tuesday unveiled what it said is the first shoe designed specifically for American Indians, an effort aiming at promoting physical fitness in a population with high obesity rates.
The Beaverton-based company says the Air Native N7 is designed with a larger fit for the distinct foot shape of American Indians, and has a culturally specific look. It will be distributed solely to American Indians; tribal wellness programs and tribal schools nationwide will be able to purchase the shoe at wholesale price and then pass it along to individuals, often at no cost.
"Nike is aware of the growing health issues facing Native Americans," said Sam McCracken, manager of Nike's Native American Business program. "We are stepping up our commitment ... to elevate the issue of Native American health and wellness."
Nike said it is the first time it has designed a shoe for a specific race or ethnicity. It said all profits from the sale of the shoe will be reinvested in health programs for tribal lands, where problems with obesity, diabetes and related conditions are near epidemic levels in some tribes.
Nike designers and researchers looked at the feet of more than 200 people from more than 70 tribes nationwide and found that in general, American Indians have a much wider and taller foot than the average shoe accommodates. The average shoe width of men and women measured was three width sizes larger than the standard Nike shoe.
As a result, the Air Native is wider with a larger toe box. The shoe has fewer seams for irritation and a thicker sock liner for comfort. Jerry Bread, outreach coordinator for the Native American Studies program at University of Oklahoma, said the idea was "fantastic" and addressed a core issue for tribes, though he was skeptical that the feet of people from so many tribes could be so similar.
"It's an excellent gesture and I know it will get a lot of support from tribal people," Bread said. "We stand to profit from it in our physical health and well being."
Dr. Kelly Acton, director of the national diabetes program for Indian Health Services, said she was dubious of working with a corporation at first but said she was delighted with the result, saying Nike "bent over backwards" to design a shoe and respect public health needs.
The N7 name is a reference to the seventh generation theory, used by some tribes to look to the three generations preceding them for wisdom and the three generations ahead for their legacy.
The design features several "heritage callouts" as one product manager described it, including sunrise to sunset to sunrise patterns on the tongue and heel of the shoe. Feather designs adorn the inside and stars are on the sole to represent the night sky. The company anticipates selling at least 10,000 pairs and raising $200,000 for tribal programs. At $42.80 wholesale, it represents less of a financial opportunity than a goodwill and branding effort.
"The reason I like it is that, even if there's not a big Native American market, it gives people the impression there is a cons uency that deserves attention," said John son, a member of the executive council of the Native American Leadership Alliance in Washington, D.C.
Paul Swangard, managing director of the Warsaw Sports Marketing Center at the University of Oregon, said the product reflects how Nike does business.
The company prides itself on designing specifically for certain athletes and having close ties to its customers. Nike has been involved with the tribal community for years, supporting tribal athletic teams, events and other social initiatives.
"It reinforces the core of the Nike brand, which is: If you have a body you are an athlete," Swangard said.
http://www.ksat.com/money/14204481/detail.html
Interesting idea. But I have to admit the first couple of paragraphs of that had me thinking it was an article from the Onion.
I meant in the NFL.
But, now that you brought it up . . . why hasn't anybody raised about that one?
ing racist mother ers.
Don't care one way or the other, but they should definitely change their unis back to what they wore on Sunday. Those looked ing sweet. The Jets and Giants both look great going with the retro look, the Skins should do so as well.
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