Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin had a special treat for his team before they take on the Cincinnati Bengals to open the 2022 NFL season on Sunday.
That treat: Brand new all black Nike Air Force 1 shoes.
Starting running back Najee Harris posted the video of the shows -- along with a laughing Tomlin -- on Saturday morning.
Black Air Force energy
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 10, 2022
: @ohthatsNajee22 pic.twitter.com/CfHdfDt0im
Of course, this was not just simply a nice gesture by the Steelers' head coach. This was also a message. Black Air Force 1s have become something of a social meme over the years, as outlined by this 2019 Complex article that states, among other things:
A person that purposely purchases them is a person that cannot be trusted. You have to immediately question their motives. These folks have no regard for your safety or their own.
Even though they made the playoffs a year ago the Steelers are still viewed as significant underdogs in the AFC and the AFC North this season. It is not a role they are typically used to being in. They seem to be embracing it.
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