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LeBron James Shouts Out the Los Angeles Fire Department on His Nike Shoes Amid Ongoing Wildfires

Before the start of the Los Angeles Lakers' matchup against the SanAntonio Spurs, James also wore a shirt that read "Thank You First Responders."
LeBron James, LAFD, Nike LeBron 22, wildfires, Los Angeles
LeBron James wrote "LAFD" on the upper of his Nike LeBron 22 signature shoe as wildfires continue to decimate Los Angeles.
Getty Images

LeBron James used his sneakers to show support to Los Angeles firefighters on Monday as they continue to battle the wildfires that have decimated the city.

The Los Angeles Lakers superstar wrote “LAFD” on his Nike LeBron 22 signature shoe, which he wore during his team’s home matchup against the San Antonio Spurs. The nod to the Los Angeles Fire Department was on the lateral side of each shoe, which was executed in a maroon, gold and white colorway.

LeBron James, LAFD, Nike LeBron 22, wildfires, Los Angeles
LeBron James wrote “LAFD” on his Nike LeBron 22 sneakers.Getty Images

In terms of tech, the Nike LeBron 22 features saddle wings that were added for midfoot stability, as well as Air Zoom in the heel and forefoot. A larger, curved Air Zoom unit is in the forefoot for energy return and flexible court feel, and a bottom-loaded unit in the heel was added for cushioning and support. Also, the midsoles — which are made from responsive foam — have plastic plates for stability and the uppers are made from synthetic leather for lightweight containment with breathability.

Before the start of the game, James also wore a shirt that read “Thank You First Responders” during warmups.

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Raging wildfires have consumed the Los Angeles area for much of January, which have reportedly killed at least 24 people and have forced more than 200,000 people to evacuate. In a Monday report, AccuWeather estimated that damages and economic loss from the wildfires could total $250 billion.

Several major players in footwear and fashion have stepped up to help victims impacted by the wildfires through monetary contributions, fundraisers, the donations of goods and more, including Soles4Souls, Merrell and Skechers.

About the Author

Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.

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