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Athletes, celebs show Kaepernick support throughout Super Bowl LIII
LeBron, KD, Ava DuVernay and others took to social media to stand with Kap
When it was obvious two years ago that Colin Kaepernick was not going to get a fair shot in the NFL after his decision to take a knee during the national anthem, proclaiming #ImWithKap became trendy. Some fans went as far as to say they would never watch another NFL game until Kaepernick had a job.
As Super Bowl LIII kicked off on Sunday, the question was who was still down with Kaepernick, and to what extent. A look at the social media posts of some celebrities leading up to Sunday’s game indicates the degree of devotion to Kaepernick and his cause varies.
Filmmaker Ava DuVernay left no doubt where she stood, announcing her unconditional support for a boycott:
I will not be a spectator, viewer or supporter of the #SuperBowl today in protest of the @NFL’s racist treatment of @Kaepernick7 and its ongoing disregard for the health + well-being of all its players. To watch the game is to compromise my beliefs. It’s not worth it. #ImWithKap pic.twitter.com/fNEeke0crs
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) February 3, 2019
Actor, comedian and Howard University student Nick Cannon rocked a Kaepernick jersey (which quickly sold out) and announced he was making a donation to the Know Your Rights Camp run by the former San Francisco 49ers star:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BtbUK1RBter/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=9pi5ix0q9vey
Also standing with Kaepernick by wearing the No. 7 jersey was radio host/author Charlamagne Tha God:
LeBron James…
🔥🔥🔥 @KingJames pic.twitter.com/yVGfMJDepT
— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) February 2, 2019
Kevin Durant …
Thank you to my Brother @KDTrey5 for rockin with me, especially this week! pic.twitter.com/cTl76CrpsY
— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) February 1, 2019
Jaylen Brown …
My Brother @FCHWPO has always known what’s up! pic.twitter.com/IFuAwT80EP
— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) February 3, 2019
Rapper Chamillionaire:
The greatest shooter of all time. #factsonly pic.twitter.com/L9ESTmyxK8
— Chamillionaire (@chamillionaire) February 3, 2019
Carolina Panthers safety (and former 49ers teammate) Eric Reid:
Yall see what we’re doing today. Support @kaepernick7 today by participating in the #7Challenge and donate $7 to @yourrightscamp and then challenge 7 others.
I challenge @ShaqBrown10 @R_Reid06 @jreid_viii @marquisegoodwin @KSTiLLS @iThinkIsee12 @StephenCurry30 pic.twitter.com/gOKFTKzHOv— Eric Reid (@E_Reid35) February 3, 2019
Iconic Olympic medalist John Carlos:
It means the world to me to have the support of John Carlos, an Icon who paved the way for myself and many others to continue to fight systemic oppression. Thank you for your sacrifice for us!✊🏾 pic.twitter.com/egc6mJEY6z
— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) February 4, 2019
Even activist Angela Davis got her hands on a jersey to show support as shown in a post from Common:
"We are never assured of justice without a fight" Dr. Angela Davis. #ImWithKap pic.twitter.com/DuhfELZrpz
— COMMON (@common) February 3, 2019
Cardi B said turning down the Super Bowl halftime show was due to her support of Kaepernick (although she did appear in a Pepsi commercial during the first half, and danced with New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft at a Super Bowl party):
Cardi B says she received offer to perform at the Super Bowl, but struggled with the decision to turn down the lucrative opportunity in support of Colin Kaepernick, @MrLandrum31 writes. https://t.co/QG4NIAcv1j
— The Associated Press (@AP) February 2, 2019
Comedian D.L. Hughley expressed his support:
And actress Jennifer Lewis demonstrated her support as only she could, first by announcing that she was kicking off with Kaepernick on Sunday:
And later in song, where Lewis serenaded her Instagram followers with a song that included the hashtag #takeaknee: