Over the years, our sneakers’ innovation and design have become legendary. Our iconic canvas shoes have made appearances in TV shows, movies, and more, shaping pop culture for nearly a century.
Featured in media like Johnny Quest, The Sandlot, and Running Point, our shoes are no strangers to the spotlight. So let’s dive into some of the biggest P.F. Flyers moments in entertainment history.
Bob Cousy & Celtics City
Setting records from the start, P.F. Flyers teamed up with basketball legend Bob Cousy in 1958, creating the first-ever endorsement between a brand and an athlete. With countless MVP wins, the Bob Cousy All-Americans became an instant classic.
Flash forward to today, and that collaboration continues to shape mainstream culture. In March 2025, HBO premiered Celtics City, a nine-part original docuseries exploring the history and cultural impact of the Boston Celtics. In the series' first episode, “Founding Fathers,” the program explores the major players who pioneered the sports team’s legacy, including Red Auerbach, Chuck Cooper, Bill Russell, and, of course, Cousy. Throughout the episode, viewers can see the trailblazing point guard redefine basketball, all while wearing P.F. Flyers sneakers.
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Stride of Legends
In the 1960s, our athletic sneakers took off, expanding into comic books and animated television. In 1962, we produced Adventure Book, a four-issue comic series created to bring our spirit of adventure to the page. The comics showcased our “magic shoes” helping save the day. In 2024, we paid homage to these roots by creating our limited-edition Stride Of Legends Collection.
In collaboration with renowned sneaker artist Sal 'Kickstradomis' Amezcua and Impound Comics, we launched a groundbreaking drop for sneakerheads and comic book fans alike. The stunning gold and white sneakers combined our classic comfort with the creative custom sneaker artwork. The tongue of the shoe contained an embedded digital chip that gave wearers special access to chapters from the graphic novel Stride of Legends. Limited to 250 pairs, select sneakers came with a Stride of Legends signature “K” hang tag, a signed collector’s card, and an exclusive comic book. Additionally, 70 customized pairs came with a numbered, hand-signed shoe box.
Johnny Quest
Moving past the pages, P.F. Flyers also starred onscreen in the '60s. Our shoes were featured on children’s programs like Mickey Mouse Club and, most notably, Johnny Quest. Prominently presented as the main sponsor of the 1964 Hanna-Barbera science fiction adventure, our sneakers became a part of the television series's narrative through commercials. The advertisements appeared before each episode’s end credits, spotlighting how “The Action Shoes” allowed Jonny Quest to save the day.
Some of the commercials featured iconic characters like Johnny, Race Bannon, and Bandit, but what sparked even more excitement was the P.F. Flyers Magic Ring. It was the secret weapon every fan wanted to get their hands on.
The promotional decoder ring came free with the purchase of shoes and contained features like a movable code wheel, magnifying glass, signal flasher, and secret compartment. Wearers could decode messages using the rotating dial, translating them using the scrambled code alphabet, which featured the secret message, “WEARPFS.” Other collectibles from the partnership include vintage advertisements and light-up countertop standees.
The Sandlot
One of the most unforgettable moments in P.F. Flyers history is our high-top sneakers’ legendary appearance in the 1993 cult classic comedy The Sandlot. Featured on the feet of Benjamin “The Jet” Rodriguez as he gears up to rescue Scotty Smalls’s Babe Ruth-signed baseball, no fan of the coming-of-age baseball film could forget the shoes that make a kid “run faster and jump higher.” With their next-level support and dependability saving the day, our Center High-Top sneakers have become one of the most iconic shoes in cinema.
For those looking to lace up the same black canvas sneakers as Benny, our Center 1993 High-Tops are still turning underdogs into legends.
Revolve Festival
Taking place during Coachella Weekend, Revolve Festival is an exclusive lifestyle event forging the future of fashion. Hosted by clothing retailer Revolve, the celebration features the freshest releases and live performances by major music artists.
In 2024, P.F. Flyers had the honor of partnering with Revolve for the festival. Our pop-up shop showcased our heritage with retro orange and green graphics and launched the debut of a desert-inspired collection sold exclusively through the retailer’s website. Tying back to our brand’s spirit of play and creativity, those in attendance could customize their own pair of shoes with vintage sportswear patches and charms.
Style influencers like Brittany Byrd, Alyssa Coscarelli, Becky Hearn, Noah Beck, Cjay Syr, and Forest Ripperton all sported our timeless canvas sneakers. Held at the legendary Parker Palm Springs hotel, the event featured performances from legendary artists like Ludacris, T-Pain, Sean Paul, and the Ying Yang Twins. Rapper Ludacris was even spotted repping P.F. as he held up a P.F. Flyers bandana onstage.
Running Point
In February 2025, Netflix released its original series, Running Point. Starring Kate Hudson, the sports comedy follows Isla Gordon, a reformed party girl who finds herself suddenly in charge of her family’s professional basketball team.
In Episode 6, titled “The Yips,” our Center 1993 High-Tops return to the screen. Isla’s half-brother, Jackie Moreno (Fabrizio Guido), can be spotted in the black high-top shoes as he takes Waves dance captain Sofia out on a date.
I Know What You Did Last Summer
Continuing this pop culture legacy to the current day, P.F. Flyer’s latest appearance can be seen in the highly anticipated horror sequel I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025). Worn by Jonah Hauer-King, who plays the main protagonist Milo, our All-American High-Tops in the Antique White and Vintage Green colorway can be seen in the film, along with its trailer and poster.
In addition to Hauer-King, the thriller stars Madelyn Cline, Lola Tung, Chase Sui Wonders, Tyriq Withers, and Sarah Pidgeon. Major stars Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Freddie Prinze Jr. also reprise their roles onscreen. The slasher follows a group of five friends (Ava Brucks, Danica Richards, Teddy Spencer, Stevie Ward, and Milo Griffin), as they are stalked by a mysterious killer after covering up a deadly car accident.
The movie premiered on July 18, 2025. Before you run to theaters, make sure your sneakers are ready for the spotlight. Check out our All-Americans, built to support every adventure and your moment in the spotlight.
