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Shoe fans buzzed this week about news that Air Jordan would be putting out a shoe that pays tribute to the Black Lives Matter movement, but while at least one such pair exists, it's not from Jordan Brand, according to Jordan's business manager.

"This was one employee's self-customized pair that he posted on his personal social media account," said Estee Portnoy, senior vice president of marketing for Jump.DC.

A Nike official added that the employee, Frank Cooker, simply added a "personal strap" to a pair of Air Jordans.

Cooker posted a picture of his customized shoes on Instagram Wednesday, and wrote, "... and so does standing up for peace , harmony, equality and justice for ALL!" He made no mention of the company's plans.

Cooker's post caught the attention of shoe blogs and newspapers this week. Black Lives Matter is a polarizing grassroots campaign that protests police brutality and Jordan has a well-worn reputation, deserved or not, for staying apolitical.

However, last year, Jordan did share his feelings about the state of race relations in a piece he wrote for ESPN's The Undefeated. "As a proud American, a father who lost his own dad in a senseless act of violence, and a black man, I have been deeply troubled by the deaths of African-Americans at the hands of law enforcement and angered by the cowardly and hateful targeting and killing of police officers.

I was raised by parents who taught me to love and respect people regardless of their race or background, so I am saddened and frustrated by the divisive rhetoric and racial tensions that seem to be getting worse as of late."

Jordan pledged $1 million each for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and theInstitute for Community-Police Relations.

plthompson@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @_phil_thompson

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Air Jordan denies making Black Lives Matter shoes - Chicago Tribune