WHY NOT US? REEBOK AND ALLEN IVERSON DARE ATHLETES TO EMBRACE UNWAVERING MANTRA AND DEFY EXPECTATIONS IN ALL-NEW ANIMATED FILM
Reebok and basketball icon, Allen Iverson, are proud to debut an all-new animated film honoring young athletes who continue to defy societal expectations through their passion for the sport. The film, titled, “Why Not Us,” is the celebration of that mantra, a creed and an assertion of power that Allen Iverson has brought to every aspect of his life, culminating in the official bring back of Reebok’s Question Mid ‘Why Not Us’ silhouette on March 19, 2021.
“Why not us” was the question posed by Iverson and his team twenty years ago in one of the greatest comebacks in all-star history, and the new campaign prompts young athletes to continue living through that lens. The “Why not us” mentality drove Iverson to become one of the sport’s most legendary figures. Often seen as an underdog at the time, it was during that game that Iverson questioned the status quo and proceeded to take home MVP honors by scoring 15 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter as he weaved through the West’s much larger lineup.
“Everybody was saying we couldn’t win because of our size,” said Iverson. “It’s about the size of your heart… Coming into the fourth quarter, we were all sitting on the sideline saying ‘Why not us? Why can’t we be the ones to come back from a 19-point deficit in an All-Star game?’”
The film, narrated by Allen Iverson, tells the story of grit, determination, and the conquering of inner doubt. Illustrated by Kellen Hatanaka, the film takes us on a journey of color and emotion, detailing that very moment in 2001. The voiceover then transitions to the greater impact the ‘Why Not Us’ mentality has on culture today, highlighting many voices of Benny’s Club, an all-inclusive surf collective based in New York City, who have had to overcome adversity to succeed in their sport.
Ending with a series of silhouettes referencing various figures and pivotal moments throughout his life, the red thread remains, ‘Why Not Us’, offering viewers the chance to position themselves in his shoes, begging the question once more.
To honor athletes living up to the ‘Why Not Us’ mantra, Reebok designed bespoke jerseys aiming to lift the underdog beyond expectations. The jerseys will be given to the Drew Charter Boys Golf Program, the first all-Black high school golf team, and the first public school in Atlanta, Georgia, to win the state golf championship. Two teen ballerinas who recently went viral and started work on a new mentorship program for girls, Kennedy George and Ava Holloway, will also receive the exclusive jerseys, and Benny’s Club. These individuals and teams will be able to wear the jerseys proudly while practicing their passion and overcoming the question of ‘Why Not Us’.
A bring back of the black-toe model issued by the brand in 2006, the Question Mid ‘Why Not Us’ sneaker was most notably worn five years earlier by Allen Iverson during the historic 2001 east-west exhibition in which he earned MVP accolades after leading his team to an improbable comeback victory. Today, the Question Mid “Why Not Us?” (GX5260) returns with its original high-contrast black toe box, the “Reebok” wordmark and Vector logos running up the ghillie lacing system and embroidered “3” and “Question” logos at the heel, all brought together by a classic all-white leather upper seated atop its translucent black outsole. The sneaker is also made available for up-and-comers creating their own “Why Not Us?” story with grade school (GW5229), preschool (GW5208) and toddler (GW5227) offerings.
The Question Mid “Why Not Us?” ($140) is available globally, in full-family sizing, from reebok.com and select local retailers beginning March 19, 2021.
