image and what some feel it now represents. trace gallagher on the case. reporter: the sneaker has a flag with 13 stars in a circle is created during the american revolution referred to as the betsy ross flag. it had been shipped to retailers nike contacted and without explanation to return the shoes. nfl quarterback and activist colin kaepernick reached out to nike saying he and others from the flag is an offensive symbol because of its connection to an era of slavery. kaepernick hasn t played in the nfl since 2015, the year he started kneeling during the national anthem but last year nike made him the face of an advertising campaign and the company is standing by on their relationship quoting nike made