Colin Kaepernick Did Not Sign Non-Disparagement Agreement With NFL, Sources Say Following Jay-Z Lyric

Jay-Z, Colin Kaepernick

Colin Kaepernick Did Not Sign Non-Disparagement Agreement With NFL, Sources Say Following Jay-Z Lyric

When Jay-Z took the stage for the opening night of his three-show run at Yankee Stadium, one lyric in particular quickly sparked conversation online.

During a freestyle segment, the rap icon referenced former NFL quarterback and activist Colin Kaepernick, seemingly rapping that while Kaepernick accepted a settlement from the NFL, he allegedly had to sign a non-disparagement agreement as part of the deal. The line immediately reignited long-standing conversations surrounding Jay-Z’s partnership with the NFL and criticism he faced after Roc Nation entered into its entertainment deal with the league in 2019.

However, according to a new report from TMZ Sports, sources with direct knowledge say Kaepernick never signed any agreement preventing him from publicly criticizing the NFL as part of his confidential settlement with the league. Sources reportedly maintain that no non-disparagement clause was included in the 2019 resolution of Kaepernick’s collusion grievance against NFL owners.

The report also points to Kaepernick’s public comments and social media activity over the years, noting that the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback has continued speaking out about his inability to land another NFL opportunity since last playing in the league in 2016. According to sources, those comments likely would not have been possible if such a clause had existed. (TMZ)

Jay-Z has not publicly addressed the report disputing his lyrics, and details surrounding Kaepernick’s settlement with the NFL remain confidential. The billionaire mogul previously defended his NFL partnership, arguing that it created opportunities for social justice initiatives while critics accused him of moving on from Kaepernick’s protest movement too quickly.

Photos courtesy ROC Nation, Instagram