Under Armour Pulls Controversial T-Shirt After Online Backlash

Another clothing retailer has come under fire for a controversial item of clothing.

Under Armour is in hot water for its “Band of Ballers” t-shirt, which shows basketball players raising a hoop. The image is extremely reminiscent of the iconic photo taken during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II of U.S. Marines raising the American flag. The clothing retailers faced swift backlash from consumers, who called it “shameful” and disrespectful of veterans for comparing basketball to World War II.

@UnderArmour You should be ashamed of yourselves. Such disrespect to our brave men and women. #getridofit pic.twitter.com/3SvVHazfZ0

— Kelly Mooney (@mooneymama1) May 18, 2015

The company has since pulled the t-shirt and apologized on social media, saying they had the utmost respect for those who have served the country. “As such, we deeply regret and apologize that a t-shirt that was not reflective of our values in honoring and supporting our country's heroes went on sale,” reads Under Armour’s statement. “We have taken immediate action to remove it from retail and will take great measures to ensure this does not happen again.”

Other clothing retailers have faced similar backlash in the past year, with social media speaking out against a seemingly bloodstained sweater for Kent University and a child’s shirt that resembled the clothing of Jewish prisoners in concentration camps.

.@UnderArmour On behalf of my US Military brothers and sisters, reducing Iwo Jima to b-ball moment is UNACCEPTABLE. pic.twitter.com/hDbxnwwUG3

— Maximus (@MaxVenator) May 16, 2015

Oh #UnderArmour..... What were you thinking???

— Joni Callihan (@mjjcal) May 18, 2015

@UnderArmour this is disgusting and a slap in the face to my fellow #Marines. "Band of Ballers" shirt? Such a shame pic.twitter.com/BXJASwCCoa

— Anthony White (@AnthonyWhiteTX) May 16, 2015

@UnderArmour The sacrifice and pain endured by Marines on Suribachi is not now or ever will be an image for you to dishonor.

— kristopher warren (@ironbell1775) May 18, 2015

Not cool #UnderArmour Ballers are not EVEN close to being in the same league as the gentlemen in the Iwo Jima photo! pic.twitter.com/awBePpisFT

— Connie Bishop (@ConnieBishop8) May 16, 2015

Top picture is the true picture. Bottom is #UnderArmour & a t-shirt they are selling "Band of Ballers". Shameful pic.twitter.com/0GjrcAWOdD

— Ellen Moorefield (@EllenMoorefield) May 16, 2015

@UnderArmour tellin every vet I know to boycott you. How dare you compare basketball to Iwo Jima. #UnderArmour pic.twitter.com/KeipFqbkwu

— Bsizz (@eBSIZZ) May 16, 2015