Under Armour has received public backlash for appropriating the imagery of American soldiers raising the flag at Iwo Jima onto a t-shirt. The shirt is titled ‘Band of Ballers,’ which is a play off the HBO show Band of Brothers, and features a recreation of the iconic flag raising by Marines at Iwo Jima.
@UnderArmour love your products.Gotta say the band of ballers shirt should not be sold.Disrespectful to all military past present and future
— Matt Caraballo (@caraballo_matt) May 16, 2015
Since the reaction, Under Armour has taken the shirts off their website and issued a public apology through Twitter:
Under Armour has the utmost respect and admiration for active duty service men and women and veterans who have served our country. (1/3)
— Under Armour (@UnderArmour) May 16, 2015
We deeply regret and apologize the release of a shirt that is not reflective of our commitment to support & honor our country's heroes (2/3)
— Under Armour (@UnderArmour) May 16, 2015
We have taken the necessary steps to remove this shirt, and any related shirts, from all retail and ensure this doesn't happen again. (3/3)
— Under Armour (@UnderArmour) May 16, 2015
Metaphors are often exchanged back and forth between war and sports, but appropriating iconic imagery is a line that sports organizations shouldn’t cross.
(Via Deadspin)
