Kicks and Colors: Air Jordan I pays homage to Letterman

Jordan Brand has released a new shoe paying homage to Michael Jordan's appearance on David Letterman's talk show in 1987.

Kicks and Colors spotlights the variety of colorways—and the stories that go with—that brands unveil in key basketball sneakers.

Brand: Jordan

Sneaker: Air Jordan 1

Signature athlete: Michael Jordan

Colorway: Light Crimson (Letterman)

Story: There was plenty to talk about after 23-year-old Michael Jordan made an appearance on David Letterman’s talk show in 1987. Jordan and Letterman had plenty of fun interplay discussing the NBA’s growing star and Jordan did so in style, wearing a flashy crimson and blue windbreaker suit. That suit serves as the inspiration for the latest Air Jordan I Retro OG model, blending light crimson and blue throughout the high top. A talk show mic and “On Air” appears in the insole, a hint at His Airness being “on air” both on and off the court. Officially dubbed the Light Crimson, what the sneaker world calls the AJI Letterman launches Saturday.

courtesy Jordan

courtesy Jordan

courtesy Jordan

courtesy Jordan

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Tim Newcomb covers sports aesthetics—stadiums to sneakers—and training for Sports Illustrated. Follow him on Twitter at @tdnewcomb.