adidas football and renowned streetwear brand a bathing ape, collaborated on a tremendous culture-shifting moment for Super Bowl LII. The festivities kicked off with adidas football throwing a special 7v7 tournament, where the best players in Atlanta gathered for one night BAPE’d out from head to toe. The BAPE uniforms were supplied during the unveiling of the locker room, alongside special adiZero cleats donning the signature BAPE camo.

Classic Bape Camo in Grey and the original army green were featured on the uniforms worn by the 7v7 participants.

The entire locker room pop up was decked out in army green and brown, with handful of BAPE props that varied from footballs to a heavy golden BAPE chain. Players such as James Conner, Emanuel Sanders, Courtland Sutton, Chris Conley and Shaquill Griffin stopped by the space, with a short athlete to high school player talk that followed after. The NFL athletes shared their fondest memories being in 7v7 tournaments in the past, and expressed a few words of encouragement to the potential future NFL HS stars.

Later that evening, American football player and coach who currently serves as a defensive specialist for the Atlanta Legends of the Alliance of American Football Jen Welter, arrived at the 7v7 wearing a special pair of Ultra BOOSTS inspired by her “Kick Glass” motto.

Seen here is a photo of the Golden Bathing Ape chain specially made for the 7v7 tournament. On display was also a special BATHING APE, sporting a BAPE logo with a U.S flag fill in (see below) The stars were replaced by A Bathing Ape’s signature BAPESTA logos, with full on camo decking the helmet from front to back.

Players who were part of the tournament prep before game time, lacing up the BAPE gear, taking photos for social and showing off the Shark logos made up of both gloves put together.

POP UP TIME

Just as you can imagine, insane lines, hype, streetwear and just about every single aspect that makes up the culture were in attendance on Saturday. Social Status and adidas Football created a special pop-up for the weekend releases that sold out throughout the day. Inside was an insane display of BAPE and adidas branding alongside a photo booth. One room was made for the Green Army Camo, and another for the black and grey pair.

The Lounge

Later that day, adidas brought us to a special lounge made for athlete seeding and interviews with surprise appearances by almost every athlete in the adidas family roster. Dak Prescott, Aaron Judge, 2018 NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes, Von Miller, Myles Jones, Jen Welter, James Conner, Emanuel Sanders, Courtland Sutton, Chris Conley and Shaquill Griffin are a few of a handful of athletes that attended the lounge.

“SPORT MEETS CULTURE”

“Its a great time for something like this to happen. The bridge between streetwear and athletics is at an all time high. I think its a really cool thing for athletes to show their off field style and bring it on field and brands are starting to catch onto that” Myles Jones – American professional lacrosse player with the Chesapeake Bayhawks of Major League Lacrosse. 

Quavo inside the lounge unboxing the BAPE x adidas football helmet (Left). Quavo wearing the black camo Ultra BOOST (Right)

“KICK GLASS”

The day after the lounge experience, we headed back to Booker T Washington High School where a football camp held for 100 girls was taking place with adidas’ newest partner Jen Welter. Together with Jaylon Smith, on field practice and mentoring set the vibe that morning. Jen Welter’s mission to bring more awareness to women coaching and participating in men’s sports started After playing rugby at Boston College.

Photos of Jen Welters specially made cleats inspired by her story and message

Game Time.

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