Note: we are republishing this story, which originally made the news in October 2018.
Athens, Alabama – S&Z Grocery carries a wide variety of products, but the store’s owner recently made a bold decision. Phillip Stewart banned two items from his shelves after spotting a promotional logo he disagreed with.
The logo in question? The NFL logo, displayed on bottles of Pepsi.
Standing by His Beliefs
“I don’t want to support them in any way, because I feel like it’s just wrong,” Stewart told reporters. “I can’t in good conscience sell the product because it does have the logo on it.”
In a Facebook post, Stewart elaborated:
“This may cause me to lose some business, but here goes. S&Z supermarket currently will not be selling 20-ounce Pepsi or Diet Pepsi. These two items are currently produced with the NFL logo on them. I refuse to sell the product until the logo is removed. I will not bow down to make a dollar as long as the athletes are allowed to bow down and disrespect the flag and country that I love.”
Respect, But Disagreement
Stewart said he understood the players’ rally and what they stood for, but felt “there are other ways to deal with it.” He added, “This has brought attention to it, and I’m sure there is good that comes from this. I just don’t agree with the tactic.”
Limited Ban, Continued Sales
The store owner clarified that he would continue selling Pepsi products—just not the bottles featuring the NFL logo. According to his distributor, the logo will remain on bottles through the Super Bowl.
Community Support
Most local residents praised Stewart’s decision. Customers applauded him for standing firm on his beliefs and taking a stand that aligned with his values.
