Under Armour has removed a t-shirt based on the iconic Joe Rosenthal photograph showing a half-dozen servicemen planting the American Flag on Iwo Jima’s Mount Suribachi.
Called “Band of Ballers,” the shirt depicts a silhouette of basketball players pushing up the stanchion to a hoop. Predictably, some took offense, others took offense at the offense taken, and Under Armour, a company with a history of supplying gear to the U.S. Navy and supporting military charities, pulled the shirt. We’ve seen this movie before, and it’s not called The Sands of Iwo Jima or Flags of Our Fathers.
The Baltimore-based company undertook the penitential ritual on 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
The apology and destruction of merchandise didn’t satiate the indignant infuriated.
“As the mother of a Marine Combat Veteran,” one commenter told Under Armour on Facebook.” I am disgusted that Under Armour has disrespected our nations Heroes in this way. Although I am relieved to see that you have pulled this product, I will never look at Under Armour and think that your company respects our military and veterans. As far as I’m concerned #boycottunderarmour will continue.”
Even flag raiser Rene Gagnon visited Tokyo after the war.
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