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BEAVERTON, Ore., Feb 16, 2006 (U.S. Newswire via COMTEX) -- This February, as part of Black History Month, Nike celebrates the accomplishments, heritage and history of Negro Leagues Baseball when it unveils the Untold Truth Collection. The new line of urban sportswear showcases six legendary teams of the Negro Baseball Leagues: Chicago American Giants, Kansas City Monarchs, New York Cubans, Homestead Grays, Memphis Red Sox and Philadelphia Stars. The apparel was created in conjunction with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (NLBM) to pay homage to the extraordinary athletic ability and indomitable spirit of these players. Part of the proceeds from the sale of the apparel will go to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
Apparel evoking the spirit of Chicago American Giants, Kansas City Monarchs, and New York Cubans will be available beginning February 8 online at nikeuntoldtruth.com and at Niketown, as well as select stores throughout the country. On April 1, apparel celebrating the Homestead Grays, the Memphis Red Sox and the Philadelphia Stars will be in stores.
Nike previewed select items from the Untold Truth Collection at the Helen Mills Theater in New York last month. Among the guests were 94-year-old John Jordan "Buck" O'Neil, a former Negro League player who became the first African American coach in the Major Leagues, and Florida Marlins pitcher Dontrelle Willis, a National League All Star. The two shared the league's rich history, enduring legacy and impact still felt by today's players and today's game.
"I know personally how important these players were," enthused Dontrelle Willis. "Men like Buck O'Neil, Jackie Robinson, and Satchel Paige paved the way for me and many others to succeed in baseball on our merits and not our color. We owe them a lot."
"The year 2006 marks the 60th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's playing in the Major Leagues. We felt it was a timely opportunity to not only pay homage to his accomplishments, but those of the entire Negro Leagues," said Rodney Knox, Nike US communications director. "We are extremely proud of the partnership we've established with the Museum and look forward to introducing the line this month."
Nike began discussions with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum to research and develop the collection more than a year ago. Using original team logos and colors, the collection aims to capture the essence of what the teams presented while bringing the little known facts of the league's story to life. The high batting averages and pitching stats that the players continually achieved is a testament to their physical and emotional strength and endurance. Innovations created by the league, like mobile lighting systems, shin guards and batting helmets, continue to be a necessary part of today's game. The Untold Truth Collection is Nike's way of ensuring the public knows their stories and of supporting the NLBM's operation.
"To try to capture the look of the Negro Leagues' clothing and translate it into a modern day style, we had to study history," said Sheldon Donnell, Nike product line manager (Untold Truth), in explaining how the line was created. "We looked at hundreds of photos and films. For example, Nike matched the color of the Kansas City Monarchs' footwear to the color of the team's road uniform. In the end, we hope anyone who wears this apparel will appreciate the attention to detail while honoring and savoring the history."
"A lot about the game has changed, and thankfully, much of it is for the better," stated an emotional Buck O'Neil. "There is still work to do, but today we have a Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, we have black owners, managers and executives of teams...and look what Nike has done! The Untold Truth Collection represents more than a jersey or a pair of sneakers. It represents our lives, our story, our legacy."
For photographs and more details about the collection and the history of the Negro Leagues, please visit http://www.nikeuntoldtruth.com.
CONTACT: Brian Facchini of Nike, 212-329-1524, Tina Patel, 213-738-9240 ext. 20 Copyright (C) 2006, U.S. Newswire
