The Pittsburgh Steelers begin a new era without Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback on Sunday. When they do, upon arriving at the stadium, they will make a statement on their feet.
Running back Najee Harris shared that head coach Mike Tomlin gifted the entire team with black Air Force 1s and couldn’t help but laugh.
For those unfamiliar with meme culture and those unconnected to the streets, the Black Air Force 1s have a special meaning. Urban Dictionary defines “Black Air Force Energy” as someone who wears black-on-black shoes and:
“Don’t care about himself or anyone else at all… They’re wild and you shouldn’t play with them.”
In a 2019 sneaker article, Complex Magazine called the Black Air Force 1 the “degenerate’s signature shoe.”
Basically, someone rocking Nike’s signature all-black shoe is choosing violence. Tomlin was trying to send a message and the dots are easy to connect.
Not only do the black boots match the team’s color scheme, but the Steelers are looking to throw the party in the AFC this fall. They want to be gritty, unabashed and aggressive.
Harris and his teammates loved it.
Even LeBron James caught wind of the decision and tweeted that Tomlin was “hilarious about it” and “definitely sets the tone with this giveaway too.”
To make the giveaway even cooler, Tomlin has gone the extra mile. The Black Air Force 1s were sold out, so he had them custom painted.
Look for Pittsburgh and the Black Air Force 1. The Steelers are on a mission and Tomlin has made it very clear that he expects nothing less than maximum effort.