Oklahoma State University Athletics
Barry Sanders Shoe Proceeds Heading to Charity
August 06, 2014 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER, Okla. -
Former Oklahoma State running back Barry Sanders will celebrate the success of his signature Nike Air Trainer shoe by donating all of the proceeds to two of his favorite charities, he announced on Monday.
"I still cannot believe Nike paid tribute to my college career with an Air Trainer shoe in OK State colors," Sanders said, via his blog. "I've decided to donate all the proceeds I receive to two charities that mean a lot to me."
Half of the earnings will be sent to the Boys and Girls Club of South Central Kansas, located in Sanders' hometown of Wichita, Kan. The group recently hosted the 10th Annual Barry Sanders and Friends Celebrity Golf Classic, an annual tournament devoted to raise funds and increase awareness of the organization.
The remaining proceeds will benefit the Michigan Chapter of the Scleroderma Foundation. Sanders has been heavily involved with the program since losing his sister, Nancy, to a battle with scleroderma in 1991.
The shoe, officially dubbed the "Nike Air Trainer 2 Premium", sold out in less than 20 minutes following its online release on July 26. It features an orange and black finish, representing Sanders' legendary Heisman-winning season with the Cowboys.
"Designed to honor the `greatest season ever played,' the latest Air Trainer 2 pays homage to legendary running back Barry Sanders' award-winning season in 1988," an official Nike release states. "The gridiron was his kingdom - and for years, the pride of Stillwater reigned supreme."
Some of Sanders' most notable stats from the 1988 campaign are visible in the shoe's sockliner. Nike also paid tribute by highlighting Sanders' nickname, "Big Bad Barry", on the sole, as well as placing his OSU jersey number, 21, on the heel.
For more information on Sanders' charitable efforts, visit his official website at www.barrysanders.com.
