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Sneaker customizer Nard Got Sole is back with another sports-themed design, this time to commemorate the Campbell-Williams Field at University of Texas at Austin.
Home of the iconic Texas Longhorns, the Campbell-Williams Field was previously known as the Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. The name change was encouraged by the family of Joe Jamail, a University of Texas alumni who went on to be a successful attorney and billionaire. Jamail donated millions to the university back in 1997.
The Campbell-Williams Field now honors two of the university’s most championed players, Earl Campbell and Ricky Williams. Both Campbell and Williams were Football Running Backs that had brought great success to the Longhorns. Campbell was UT’s first player ever to bring home a Heisman Memorial Trophy, back in the 70’s. Later on in the 90’s, Williams would become the second player in the Longhorns franchise to win a Heisman. Both players would later go on to compete in the NFL and play for the New Orleans Saints.
The official unveiling of the newly named stadium was at the Longhorns’ first home game of the season on September 4th, versus the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns. Both Campbell and Williams were in attendance and Nard Got Sole commemorated the moment with a customized Air Force 1 Low.
Decked out in UT’s signature colors, White and Burnt Orange, Nard Got Sole’s customized AF1 included portraits of Earl Campbell on one sneaker and Ricky Williams on the other. The sneaker with Campbell’s portrait also includes the new namesake stadium printed on the side, while Williams’ sneaker has the date of the official unveiling. On the medial side of Williams’ sneaker, a portrait of Bob Marley appears, which potentially symbolizes Williams’ infamous suspension from the NFL due to Marijuana usage. After retiring from the NFL, Williams has gone on to study holistic medicine and spirituality, which may also be represented by the Bob Marley portrait.
In a larger context, the Campbell-Williams Field marks one of the university’s first official changes towards honoring and incorporating racial diversity throughout the campus. UT announced on Monday that they have big plans ahead for more changes around the school that promote diversity, inclusion, equity, and more to fully support Black students on campus.
Take a look at the custom Campbell-Williams Field Air Force 1 below and make sure to check out @NardGotSole.
