Subscribe
Follow Us
ESPN's Marc Spears gave Memphis Grizzlies fans a first look at their new Nike MLK50 City Edition Nike uniforms on Friday afternoon.
In honor of the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination, the Grizzlies will wear the new uniforms on January 15th against the Los Angeles Lakers in a nationally-televised game on TNT.
The kits feature a vibrant white color scheme, which is meant to shed light on the events that led up to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The “Memphis” lettering across the front pays homage to the ‘I Am A Man’ signs that were used in the city during the 1968 strike and protests. The shorts feature a unique “M” design, which was inspired by the font used in the word ‘Man’ on the signs. A subtle Beale Blue Grizzlies logo on the waistline also has significance, as it hearkens back to the starting point for several of the 1968 marches.
The Grizzlies unveiled their 2017-18 MLK50 City Edition Nike uniform set to debut during the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration game on Jan. 15 against the Lakers in remembrance of the 50th anniversary of King’s assassination. pic.twitter.com/ODYVLWlNsl
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) December 22, 2017
“The story behind the uniform’s design dates back to February 1, 1968, when two Memphis Sanitation workers, Echol Cole and Robert Walker, were crushed to death by a malfunctioning garbage truck. This tragic flashpoint aggravated by years of dangerous working conditions, poverty level wages, and unequal treatment led black sanitation workers to strike. Their demand for human dignity would coin the slogan ‘I Am A Man’ and eventually bring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to Memphis weeks later to march alongside protesters. It was on that trip that Dr. King was assassinated at the Lorraine Motel on April 4, 1968.”
Grizzlies president of business operations Jason Wexler released an official statement with regards to the new uniforms earlier this week.
“As we approach the 50th anniversary of Dr. King’s assassination, we are humbled to shed light on the events leading up to the tragic day itself through the introduction and wearing of our MLK50 City Edition uniform<" Wexler said of the new uniforms in his statement. "Alongside our long-standing partners at the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel, we want to generate local, national and global awareness of the Museum’s vital message of social and economic justice and call to reflection, ‘where do we go from here.’
"In the coming days and weeks, we will announce further plans and events scheduled in conjunction with the Museum around our annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration weekend."
The Grizzlies should be commended for their actions. This is truly a great way to raise awareness. In fact, this could be the most meaningful uniform ever produced.
