Phil Knight used to repeat a mantra: "The cowards never started and the weak died along the way. That leaves us, ladies and gentlemen. Us."
Michael. LeBron. Serena. Virgil. Leo.
While much spectacle has been made about the Pope wearing Nikes — and the Americanness of Chicago's highest son finding tradition in modernity — we must yet again thank the midwest for saving America's greatest export. MJ and Leo in Chicago. Virgil in Rockford, IL. LeBron in Akron, OH. Serena in Saginaw, MI. All masters of their craft, pushing Beaverton into a new era.
The swoosh might've been designed in Oregon, but the heartland gave it a soul. Turns out, when Phil Knight said "us" he was talking about Chicago.