With the MLB recently passing its halfway mark and the NFL season getting underway with teams reporting to training camp this week, things are suddenly staring to pick up for sports enthusiasts who have been dreading the “dead” period in sports. As the two aforementioned leagues will coincide with one another for the rest of 2015, one particular entity, or former player for that matter, may arguably have been the most athletic player in either league’s history – and that’s Bo Jackson.<\/p>\n
With his freakish athleticism and welcoming disposition, Bo became a household name for Nike as he was the lead endorser for the Nike Air Trainer SC and beyond. However, how about the entire history of the Nike Air Trainer Series<\/strong>? Well, we’ll provide it on the latest edition of Snkrs Day Throwback Thursday.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n After the video above, flip through the pages below to enjoy the latest edition of #TBT<\/em>.<\/p>\n Initially, Nike did not have a “training” sneaker, per se. That was of course until Tinker Hatfield created the Nike Air Trainer 1 during the early ’80s. After spending time at a local gym, Hatfield understood that the industry lacked a specific model catered towards those that look to have one specific shoe for their workout session. Built around four specific sports, Hatfield looked to outfit the model with a higher cut for added stability along with a lateral outrigger and midfoot strap – subsequently creating a strong silhouette that would last decades.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Although many people attribute the Nike Air Trainer lineage beginning because of Bo Jackson, it was in fact legendary tennis champ John McEnroe who was the intial leading man for the Nike Air Trainer 1. Sporting the model during several tennis matches, McEnroe would grow to love the silhouette immensely as he stated:<\/p>\n “It combined everything that I needed,” McEnroe says.”It gave the support I needed because I had some difficulty with ankle sprains and it gave me the jump I needed on the court. Sometimes all you need is luck or a good coincidence.”<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The next Nike Air Trainer model would be strictly built for the aforementioned Bo Jackson as the Nike Air Trainer SC would be released. Released in 1989, the Nike Air Trainer SC featured a visible Air unit as seen similarly within the Nike Air Trainer 1. With Bo’s stardom and mystique beginning to rise, the Nike Air Trainer series would create one of the more memorable campaign ads in history with “Bo Knows.”<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Shown from 1989 to 1990, the “Bo Knows” campaign was created by notable Nike marketing arm Weiden + Kennedy<\/em>. Featuring Bo Jackson conquering a variety of different sports along with testimonials from notable sports stars such as John McEnroe, Wayne Gretzky and Michael Jordan, this advertising campaign became a subsequent hit.<\/p>\n To see for yourself, check out the nostalgic commercial below.<\/p>\nNike Air Trainer 1<\/h2>\n
John McEnroe Knows?<\/h2>\n
Nike Air Trainer SC Series<\/h2>\n
Bo Knows Campaign<\/h2>\n