Dexter Fowler helped end the Chicago Cubs’ century-long championship drought this past season wearing a number of retro Jordan-inspired cleats, and now the noted Jordan Brand baseball star has a special gift for a very special Chicago fan, President Barack Obama. Dexter took to Instagram to show off this one of a kind box with Derek Jeter’s RE2PECT slogan covering up what promises to be an exclusive pair for the leader of the free world. The Presidential Seal is even laser etched onto the box for added exclusivity. Today we get a preview of what exactly was inside the exclusive box for President Obama, as Dexter unveiled an exclusive Air Jordan 11Lab4 pair in black patent leather complete with the Presidential Seal on the tongue patch instead of the usual ‘Flight’ branding while Barack’s signature is laser etched onto the side panel below the signature ‘Wings’ accents. What do you think of the look? Check out the full video below and know that you can find the Derek Jeter RE2PECT t-shirt here and you can always find the Air Jordan 11Lab4 (without the signature Presidential accents, of course) on eBay and Stadium Goods.
First Look: @DexterFowler reveals the presidential pair of @jumpman23 made just for @BarackObama. Check out our IG Story for more from Dexter's White House visit. A video posted by The Players' Tribune (@playerstribune) on Jan 16, 2017 at 8:37am PST Top Secret @jumpman23 delivery for President @barackobama from me. Tune into @playerstribune Instagram tomorrow to see what's inside. A video posted by Dexter Fowler (@dexterfowler) on Jan 15, 2017 at 8:08pm PST .00BUY IT NOW0hr 6mins.95BUY IT NOW1hr 6mins.99BUY IT NOW14hr 50mins.00BUY IT NOW17hr 56mins.00BUY IT NOW20hr 40mins.00BUY IT NOW20hr 57mins.99BUY IT NOW22hr 12mins.99BUY IT NOW22hr 26minsWhen the Cubs won the World Series, fans were in shock. The 10-inning nail-biter put the team at the top of the heap for the first time since 1908, and eyes were glued to the game all around the world, from Progressive Field in Cleveland to stairwells in Japan (I tuned in from a laptop in a Tokyo suburb, surrounded by tearful viewers) and all the way to the White House.
Michelle Obama is, after all, a big fan of her hometown team.President Barack Obama, on the other hand, is more of a White Sox guy—but they didn't make it as far as the Cubs. Like a couple other bets he's made during his presidency, it turned out differently than he hoped. But he still invited the team to the White House to celebrate their win. They visited yesterday bearing gifts for the outgoing President, including a jersey with a #44 (for his place in the POTUS pantheon) and "Obama" emblazoned across the back (probably better than "Barack," since Michelle will likely take it from his collection).But, Dexter Fowler hyped an additional gift. One that was bolstered by a tweet from Darren Rovell. Fowler, currently a center fielder with the St. Louis Cardinals, was with the Cubs last season. He's also an Air Jordan athlete. /Yf6U8uJ1kE— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) January 17, 2017The shoes are a pair of black Air Jordan 11Lab4s that originally released in 2015, complete with a specially designed box.
The patent leather sneakers have also been customized with a patch on the tongue that features the POTUS seal, a set of deubrés with the "O" logo from Obama's campaigns, and a laser etching of Obama's signature across the heel.They're eye-catching and very presidential.But they also look familiar.You might remember that Obama received a pair of the same shoes in the exact same design when he visited Nike campus in May of 2015. The box he got them in yesterday looks a little different from in 2015, but the sneakers are the same.This raises two questions that we haven't been able to get definitive answers on. Does Obama now have two pairs of these sneakers (one to rock and one to stock)? Or is this the same pair of shoes he got two years ago, offered to him again?The first is possible–although, Jordan's Retros aren't great for playing ball in and that's the only time we've seen Obama wear sneakers.The second would circumvent any sort of legal or ethical gifting issue. Imagine that in 2015 Obama was presented with the shoes, but never actually given them.
It wouldn't have been a political gift. In fact, if Jordan retained ownership of the sneakers until this Friday at 12:01pm ET, the ethical issue would never come up. And then the brand could present the pair to him whenever a Jordan athlete or Nike designer went to the White House. It's very good PR while avoiding any conflicts of interest. And considering how quickly our news cycles moves, who would notice? So, basically: It's possible!We can't know for sure, but if we learn more we'll definitely let you know.When it comes to footwear, nothing is as iconic as the Nike brand. It has been the premiere sports shoe and is probably at the top of the premiere sports footwear brands. It has some of the coolest designs and some of the most famous endorsers. In fact, NBA Legend Michael Jordan was one of the great people to grace the brands image. In fact, Jordan’s popularity sparked its own footwear line that is a subsidiary of Nike and they are known as Air Jordan. When Air Jordan releases new sneakers, the fans wait with abated breath and with the newest Air Jordan 11LAB4 – Teaser circulating around the net, the hype for these sneakers are building up even more.
The Magnificence that is Air Jordan Circulating around the Internet right now are some newest Air Jordan 11LAB4 – teaser photos displaying the soon to be released sneaker. This one is right out of the LAB series and is using the patent leather styles of Air Jordan 11. The shoes is housed on top of the Air Jordan 4 silhouette which explains the name 11LAB4. It sports a full black leather that is situated on top of a Black and White base. This is one sleek design that a lot of people, especially sneaker fans would certainly love. Its design is a retro mix that is taking the Internet by storm. Sadly, there is no release date about the shoe whatsoever. However, there are already plenty of Jordan 11LAB4 – teaser photos around which can while away the time as you wait for the official release. The Legacy of Air Jordan The Air Jordan line was introduced to the market way back in 1984. The very first Air Jordan shoe, aptly named Air Jordan I, was designed by Peter Moore and came in a red and black coloring so as to coincide with the Chicago Bulls uniform.