Sneaker News 
Week 1 is in the books and as expected, the weekend was jam-packed with high octane action and some surprising headlines. Names like Calvin Johnson, Marshawn Lynch, and Peyton Manning should’ve brought smiles to your faces, especially you’re on that Fantasy Football tip, but for the sneaker lovers, we’re bringing some light to some key names over the years that brought the footwear heat along with their top-tier games. Sneaker News NINE@NINE is ready to kick off, and tonight we’re bringing you 9 NFL Turf Trainers of the last two decades.
We’re starting off with some iconic joints like Barry Sanders’ Zoom Turf Trainer, but expect some other names that don’t get much attention in sneaker circles – names like Jerome Bettis, Charles Woodson, and even Cam Newton. There is, of course, a large range of NFL turf shoes that have dropped in the past, but we hope our selection of 9 will give you an idea of just how broad the industry has stretched in this sport. Check out NINE@NINE below and let us know which sneaker stands out to you the most!
Nike Zoom Turf Trainer
We’ll start off this latest installment of Sneaker News NINE@NINE with the Zoom Turf Trainer – a sneaker designed for former Detroit Lions RB Barry Sanders. The famous dimple-soled turf sneakers were a mega-hit when these Zoom-cushioned sneakers first released, proving to be as effective on the faux-grass as it was on the streets. Various Retro releases of this sneaker have gone down over the years, even as recently as a few months ago.
Jordan Mossified
Jordan Brand’s first NFL athlete was none other than Vikings superstar Wide Receiver Randy Moss. Every Sunday, his highlight-reel performances wowed football fans and left defensive backs completely shellshocked, and his first signature sneaker, the Jordan Mossified of 1998, was a major move for Jordan Brand as it branched outside the sport of basketball.
Nike Zoom Vick
Michael Vick took the league by storm with his flashy on-field play, and Nike jumped on the opportunity to revitalize its Football program with one of the more underrated signature shoe lines in history. 2003’s debut of the Nike Zoom Vick featured everything we wanted in a shoe connected to a player that flexed all the makings of a superstar. The signature line went five models deep before the whole dog-fighting scandal, but the QB eventually made his way back to the field.
Reebok Pump Paydirt
There was a time when Reebok was a major player in the turf-shoe scene. The game’s most popular runningback Emmitt Smith was representing the brand on his feet with every rush up the middle, and the Pump Paydirt was one of those spectacles that made the brand a relevant force in the 90s. This classic Cowboys colorway is still a grail, and the
Nike Air Pro Streak
Charles Woodson repped Nike before he was tapped by Jordan Brand, but prior to that move, this shutdown corner locked down the on-field sneaker game in more ways than one. We’ll focus on one of those models -the Air Pro Streak; this bulky shoe had a massive Air unit on the heel and a carbon-fiber laden midfoot strap – all the makings for a great on-foot shoe for the streets. Nike, bring ’em back!
adidas Key Trainer
adidas is a name we will likely not hear from in the American football corner, but they did make some noise in the 90s. With the loud-mouthed and sticky-handed Keyshawn Johnson lining up on adidas’ side, the brand released the Key Trainer featuring the FYW design ethos. adidas brought the shoes back earlier this year to limited fanfare.
Nike Zoom Revis
The Zoom Revis signature sneaker line was short-lived as it hit just one installment, but no other sneaker in this list impacted the sneaker game than the Zoom Revis did. PEs, one-of-ones, customs – you name it, the Revis was there.
Nike Total Max Bus
Prior to the days of combo-RBs that acted as receivers as much as they did tailbacks, Jerome Bettis was putting a real hurt on the league with his downhill running game. The Total Max Bus was made in turf and cleat form, while the bulky nature of the shoe matched Bettis’ physical stature to a tee. Photo: defynewyork
Under Armour Cam Newton Highlight Trainer
The UA brand did steal an athlete away from Nike, and his name is Cam Newton. The Panthers QB had all the makings of a marketable star, and UA’s earlier attempts in the shoe like the Cam Newton Highlight Trainer was a nice start. Let’s hope this line sprouts into something big from the brand and for Newton.
