Classic Commercial: Gary Payton and the Nike Air Hawk Flight

To celebrate Gary Payton's birthday today we'll take a look at a classic 1997 commercial for the Nike Air Hawk Flight.

words / Zack Schlemmer

To celebrate Gary Payton's birthday today, we go back to 1997 for a classic Nike commercial featuring The Glove and the Air Hawk Flight.  From the "Super Human Speed Support Group" series which we previously saw Michael Johnson in, Gary discusses his feelings about lacing up the Zoom-cushioned Hawk Flight. 

GP wore the Air Hawk Flight during the 1996-97 NBA season, and although it is not an official signature model, he is the player most closely associated with it.  Similar to Jason Kidd's Zoom Flight V, the Hawk Flight features a metallic "pod" on each lateral side, but extends it to make it functional for support. 

Happy birthday to "one sweet guy", Gary Payton!