Arkansas St. player refuses to wear adidas
Associated Press

JONESBORO, Ark. -- Arkansas State's leading returning scorer is sitting out because he refuses to wear adidas shoes, which Indians players are obligated to wear because of a school contract.

Jerry Nichols, a 6-6 outside shooter who averaged 9.6 points per game last year, has had two knee operations and said he was wearing adidas shoes when he first hurt the knee. The school says Nichols has to dress by its rules.

"We have a contractual agreement with [adidas], and it's not any different than any number of other contracts with other schools. There is not any stipulation or any research that shows any shoes are worse than any others," Arkansas State athletic director Dean Lee told The Jonesboro Sun newspaper.

Nichols, who last year shot 41.8 percent from 3-point range, practiced over the weekend while wearing Nike shoes, placing tape to cover the brand's insignia. Nichols met with Lee on Monday, and Nichols was told to wear adidas shoes or sit. Nichols sat.

"We've been producing outstanding quality equipment for years," said Terrell Clark, an adidas spokesman. "We take this very seriously and we are looking to handle this in a positive manner."

Nichols said he was wearing adidas shoes when he suffered a knee injury in 2001 while playing for Walters State Community College.

"I tore my ACL in adidas in junior college back in 2001, and I'm not comfortable wearing adidas," Nichols said.

Nichols has had two surgeries on his right knee, including one in late March following last season. ASU's basketball team wore Nike shoes last year but that contract has expired.

"Adidas shoes are part of our uniform," Lee said.

Lee said there is no room for compromise and that the school is obligated to put adidas shoes on the feet of athletes football, men's and women's basketball, baseball and track teams, along with several other sports.

"This is not picking on any one student athlete. This goes for all student athletes that are under that contract," Lee said.

Nichols said he may seek relief in court if the university does not change policy.

"If I have to miss this whole senior season for some shoes, why wouldn't I [sue]?" Nichols said. "I have done too much this summer, working out, staying up here all summer to waste a year. So if it has to come to a legal issue then I will."

ASU coach Dickey Nutt said he wants Nichols on the court, considering the team has its first exhibition in less than three weeks.

"I need all my players to be at practice, but it's out of my hands. That matter is in the administration's hands, so I'm just referring all questions to them," Nutt said.

Why doesnt he just wear the shoes he likes and tape over the wrong symbol and then use a marker to put the addias symbol on there.

"I tore my ACL in adidas in junior college back in 2001, and I'm not comfortable wearing adidas," Nichols said.

Is he psyched out by them of physically uncomfortable?
I bought a pair of Nikes a few years ago and ended up returning them after a few days because they were so damn uncomfortable.

Wow you really misread that. I said "why doesnt he just wear the shoes he likes". Meaning something other than Adidas which he isnt comfortable in.

everyones feet are different, shoes are different, if he feels Adidas contributed to his knee injury he should not be forced to wear thier shoes, he can wear the damned adidas logo on his jersey (he should be paid for advertising I'd say by the way on top of his scholarship since aparently they are using him to sell thier shoes since he "must" wear them as part of the uniform)

You must have missed the part where the school said he can't do that

I'm saying what they dont know wont hurt them. But how sad is it that a coach is more concerned with upsetting sponsors than the safety of his own players. The whole team should walk out on this asshole.

I bet this guy is black

I bet you're a cracker.

Seriously, what the fuck?

I bet this guy is black

You got a problem cracka