Rihanna Reportedly Turned Down Super Bowl in Support of Colin Kaepernick
Rihanna is taking a knee with Kap.
The pop superstar has reportedly turned down an offer to headline next year’s Super Bowl LIII halftime show in support of Colin Kaepernick, reports Us Weekly.
“The NFL and CBS really wanted Rihanna to be next year’s performer in Atlanta,” says the insider. “They offered it to her, but she said no because of the kneeling controversy. She doesn’t agree with the NFL’s stance.”
Kaepernick was the first NFL player to kneel during the national anthem to protest police brutality and systemic racism. The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback has not played since the 2016 season as a result of the controversy. He has filed a grievance against the league, accusing them of colluding to keep him off the field.
After Rihanna declined, the NFL offered the show to Maroon 5. While no official announcement has been made, Adam Levine and his band will reportedly headline the 2019 Super Bowl halftime show. There are also rumors that Cardi B and Travis Scott will join them during the performance at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Feb. 3.
Rihanna is not the first artist to decline the Super Bowl. JAY-Z also reportedly turned down an offer to headline this year’s halftime show in Minnesota in support of Kaepernick.
“I said no to the Super Bowl / You need me, I don’t need you,” the Roc Nation mogul rapped on “APESHIT” off The Carters’ Everything Is Love album.