Jalen Hurts' Air Jordan 1 "Unbannable" Super Bowl LIX PE cleats: Design details and more explored

Super Bowl LIX: Kansas City Chiefs v Philadelphia Eagles - Source: Getty
Super Bowl LIX: Kansas City Chiefs v Philadelphia Eagles - Source: Getty

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts made a statement at Super Bowl LIX with his performance and footwear. He took the field in a pair of Air Jordan 1 High '85 PE cleats, custom-made for the game.

These cleats have been dubbed “Unbannable.” The shoes are brought as part of Jordan Brand’s ongoing campaign that celebrates the legacy of the beloved Air Jordan 1 silhouette.

Designed specifically for Hurts, the cleats feature a mixture of the traditional Air Jordan 1 “Bred” colorway with necessary functional specs related to football. It is expected to extend Michael Jordan’s influence beyond basketball to football and the sneaker industry worldwide. The shoes also tie into Jordan Brand’s You Can’t Ban Greatness campaign, which has been making waves throughout the NFL season.


Design details of the Air Jordan 1 “Unbannable” PE cleats for Super Bowl LIX

The cleats closely resemble the original Air Jordan 1 High '85 “Bred,” with a red and black leather upper. However, some of the key details that set them apart include:

  • Blacked-out Swoosh: One of the noteworthy features is the black rectangular bar covering the Nike Swoosh logo. This is a direct reference to the original Air Jordan 1 “Banned” campaign. Per fans, it symbolizes defiance against restrictive rules.
  • "UNBANNABLE" branding: Bold “UNBANNABLE” text appears on the heels. It aims to make the message clear.
  • Jalen Hurts’ PE logo: The right tongue of the Air Jordan 1 “Unbannable” PE cleats features Hurts’ personalized logo. This feature makes these cleats unique to him. This detail also highlights his growing partnership with Jordan Brand and his role in their expansion in the football scene.
  • Premium leather and performance enhancements: Unlike standard Air Jordan 1 sneakers, these cleats are built for the gridiron, reports claim. The upper is crafted from high-quality leather. The sole features cleat-specific modifications to enhance traction on the field.

Who is the designer of Hurts' Air Jordan 1 “Unbannable” cleats?

The Air Jordan 1 “Unbannable” PE cleats were customized by Dan “Mache” Gamache, a sneaker artist who has worked with celebrated athletes, including LeBron James and Stephen Curry. Jordan Brand tapped Mache just weeks before the Super Bowl 2025 to design a custom of the Air Jordan 1 High '85 silhouette.

Mache came with a glossy black bar over the Swoosh. The sock liners also feature the phrase You Can’t Ban Greatness, the campaign’s message.

Given the short turnaround time, Mache had to ensure the design stayed true to the original Air Jordan 1 while adding elements that made it unique for the player and Super Bowl LIX. In a statement shared with Footwear News, he stated,

"The main challenge was trying to figure out how to make these different for the big moment since they’ve released ‘Bred’ Jordan 1 cleats in the past."

One potential downside of the PE pair is its colorway, which does not align with the Eagles’ team colors, making them non-compliant with NFL uniform regulations.

Edited by Debanjana
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