Rihanna refuses Super Bowl Halftime Show to support Colin Kaepernick

Rihanna turned down the opportunity to serve as the headline act for the Super Bowl LIII Halftime Show to show support for Colin Kaepernick.

Rihanna could have been the next celebrated performer to sing ballads at the Super Bowl. However, the “Take A Bow” songstress decided to make a much more celebrated move, and decline the offer to stand in support of Colin Kaepernick

Rihanna’s refusal stems from Kaepernick’s decision to become the first NFL player to kneel during the national anthem in order to protest racial inequality and police brutality. Following the quarterback’s decision to do so in 2016, many have applauded his movement and several players, not just in the NFL, have followed suit.

Negative responses have come from all avenues, including the current administration, with Donald Trump even stating that NFL team owners should fire players who do so. In the year following his decision to kneel, Kaepernick filed a grievance against the league and owners. He alleged that they had colluded to bar him from the field.

Rihanna stands behind the San Fransisco 49ers quarterback, and has decided to show solidarity by declining the opportunity to perform at Super Bowl.

When it comes to her being offered the gig, the NFL and CBS  “really wanted Rihanna to be next year’s performer” for the Super Bowl in Atlanta, a source told Us Weekly.

To perform at the Super Bowl is a top honor for any musician, but in light of Kaepernick’s movement, it may very well be an event future musicians decline as well to show their support.

Following Rihanna’s decline, Adam Levine’s popular group Maroon 5 has been set to headline the halftime show. Alongside the main show, Cardi B is rumored to be a possible guest performer. We’ll see if she, and any other potential guests accept or decline the opportunity to take the stage.