The Nike Air Trainer 1 is the very first cross training shoe from Nike. It launched in 1987 and was worn by sport’s icon, Bo Jackson. Learn more about the Nike Air Trainer 1 below.
Air Trainer 1
The Nike Air Trainer 1 was designed by the legend, Tinker Hatfield. The shoe was also worn by John McEnroe. The tennis superstar. Tinker created the Nike Air Trainer 1 because he was tired of switching shoes for different activities.
The Nike Air Trainer 1 could be used for everything from running to weightlifting. The mid-cut strap helped with stability. The sole unit was made to offer traction on multi-surfaces. This means the shoe could be won on basketball courts, tennis courts and even used in the weight room.
Vincent Edward Jackson
Vincent Edward Jackson was born on November 30, 1962. He was given the nickname of Bo because his family said he was as mean as a “boar hog.”
At an early age, Jackson showed tremendous athletic ability. He wasn’t just exceptional at one sport, or a few sports, but a whole lot of sports. He was excellent at track and field, baseball, and football in high school. He won track and field titles, threw no hitters in baseball and was a star on both sides of the ball in football.
Jackson was considered a phenom in his home state of Alabama. Out of High School, Jackson was drafted by the New York Yankees. But he decided to attend Auburn University instead.
Bo Knows
Nike’s Bo Knows campaign helped to make Bo Jackson a pop culture icon. The Nike Air Trainer III was first made available in 1988. Bo Jackson endorsed the sneaker and his popularity in 1988 was massive. Jackson's endorsement of the Air Trainer III, combined with Nike's smart marketing, made the shoe a must-have for sneaker fans in 1988.
Tragic End
In 1991, Bo Jackson suffered a career altering injury in an NFL Playoff game. Bo Jackson dislocated his hip and would need an artificial hip replacement. He would never play in the NFL again, and his career in the MLB would never be the same.
- Adam C. Better
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