Rihanna Turns Down Super Bowl Halftime Show to Support Colin Kaepernick

Rihanna has reportedly turned down her chance to perform at the biggest concert in America: The Super Bowl Halftime Show. And believe us, she had her reasons. 

The singer supposedly passed on, what could have been, her biggest gig yet, due to one controversial issue over Colin Kaepernick. According to US Weekly, she fully supports the athlete. “The NFL and CBS really wanted Rihanna to be next year’s performer in Atlanta,” the source claimed. “They offered it to her, but she said no because of the kneeling controversy. She doesn’t agree with the NFL’s stance.” Actress/comedian Amy Schumer and singer Tinashe have also shown their support for Rihanna’s decision.

 

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Friday thought. I wonder why more white players aren’t kneeling. Once you witness the truly deep inequality and endless racism people of color face in our country, not to mention the police brutality and murders. Why not kneel next to your brothers? Otherwise how are you not complicit? I think it would be cool if @maroon5 backed out of super bowl like @badgalriri Did. I personally told my reps I wouldn’t do a Super Bowl commercial this year. I know it must sound like a privilege ass sacrifice but it’s all i got. Hitting the nfl with the advertisers is the only way to really hurt them. I know opposing the nfl is like opposing the nra. Very tough, but don’t you want to be proud of how you’re living? Stand up for your brothers and sisters of color. And the hottest thing a guy can do is get down on one knee. Not to propose but to reject the treatment of his teammates by this country. Anyone who says its disrespectful to our military please read up on the fact that a lot of veterans are proud of what @kaepernick7 is doing and fully support him. What are your thoughts?

A post shared by @ amyschumer on Oct 19, 2018 at 8:11am PDT

Amy Schumer, Tinashe & more support Rihanna’s reported refusal to perform at #SuperBowl halftime https://t.co/r6x7OJFd84 pic.twitter.com/t0SsrEJ2SK

— billboard (@billboard) October 20, 2018

Exclusive: Rihanna turned down an offer to headline the #SBLIII Halftime Show. https://t.co/E5UQ7nnzLo

— Us Weekly (@usweekly) October 18, 2018

Here’s a quick refresher. At the NFL games in 2016, Colin kneeled during the national anthem to protest the oppression of minorities and black individuals. He then opted out of his contract with the San Francisco 49ers and later filed a grievance that the NFL  “colluded to deprive Mr. Kaepernick of employment rights,” according to ESPN. The NFL attempted to dismiss this concern and deeply failed, therefore, Rihanna stands with Kaepernick.

Maroon 5 is now set to headline the show, and next years Super Bowl will take place at the Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Feb. 3, 2019.