Rihanna reportedly turned down Super Bowl half-time show in support of Colin Kaepernick

Rapper Jay-Z also turned down an offer to perform at the showpiece in support of the former NFL quarterback

NFL Super Bowl

Associated Press

Published: 12:46pm, 19 Oct 2018

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Rihanna will stop the music after all.

The singer reportedly turned down the NFL’s offer to headline the Super Bowl half-time show in support of Colin Kaepernick, who hasn’t found his way onto a roster since he kneeled on the sidelines during the US national anthem in protest of police brutality.

“The NFL and Fox really wanted Rihanna to be next year’s performer in Atlanta,” a source told Us Weekly. “They offered it to her, but she said no because of the kneeling controversy. She doesn’t agree with the NFL’s stance.”

Rihanna reportedly refused the offer in support of Colin Kaepernick (centre). Photo: TNS

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In October 2017, Kaepernick filed a grievance against NFL owners, alleging that they had colluded to keep him out of the league for causing a stir.

Rumours circulated last year that Jay-Z had similarly turned down a half-time show and he seemingly confirmed the news in a recent song, Apes---.

“I said no to the Super Bowl: you need me, I don’t need you,” he raps in the song. “Every night we in the end zone, tell the NFL we in stadiums too.”

Singers Kelly Rowland (left), Beyonce (centre) and Michelle Williams performed in the Super Bowl XLVII half-time in 2013. Photo: AFP

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Instead of Rihanna, Super Bowl LIII has reportedly landed Maroon 5 for the February 4 game.

Representatives of Rihanna and the NFL did not immediately return requests for comment.

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