Kendrick Lamar’sSuper Bowl halftime show was met with mixed reactions, but according to musician Kid Rock, one person deserves unexpected credit for making it possible, former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
During an interview with Bill Maher, Kid Rock, known for his outspoken views, suggested that Kaepernick’s national anthem protest years ago set off a chain of events that ultimately led to Lamar performing at the Super Bowl.
A bold claim from Kid Rock
While admitting that Lamar’s performance wasn’t his “cup of tea,” Kid Rock argued that the rapper, along with Jay-Z, should thank Kaepernick for creating the cultural shift that made it possible.
I think Jay-Z and Kendrick Lamar should both send Colin Kaepernick a bundt cake and a six-pack of beer and a thank-you note with a bunch of money in it,” Kid Rock said. “Because without him kneeling and getting everyone’s panties in a bunch over the [national] anthem-self included-I don’t think that happens.
Kaepernick made headlines in 2016 when he kneeled during the national anthem as a protest against police brutality and racial injustice. While the act gained support from many, it also led to intense backlash, with critics arguing it was disrespectful to the flag and the military.
Kaepernick’s impact on the NFL
Kaepernick’s protest is widely believed to be the reason he hasn’t played in the NFL since 2016, despite his repeated efforts to return. In 2020, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell acknowledged the league’s failure to properly address the issues Kaepernick was highlighting.
“Well, the first thing I’d say is I wished we had listened earlier, Kaep, to what you were kneeling about and what you were trying to bring attention to,” Goodell admitted. “We had invited him in several times to have the conversation, to have the dialogue. I wish we had the benefit of that. We never did, and, you know, we would’ve benefited from that. Absolutely.”
While Kaepernick remains without an NFL contract, Kid Rock’s comments suggest his influence extends far beyond the football field. Whether or not his protest directly led to artists like Lamar headlining the Super Bowl, the debate over his legacy continues.
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