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Conspiracy Theory About Colin Kaepernick, Super Bowl Halftime Show Emerges

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated Feb 15, 2025 2:08 PM ET

Did former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick influence Kendrick Lamar's halftime show for Super Bowl 59? That theory seems to be floating around social media this weekend.

Kendrick Lamar had the internet debating his Super Bowl halftime show for the majority of this week. Some people praised the "Not Like Us" rapper for putting on a great show. Others, however, thought it was the worst halftime show in Super Bowl history. For what it's worth, Roc Nation reported that 133.5 million people tuned in for the Grammy Award winner's performance.

Country rock singer Kid Rock was asked about Lamar's performance during an appearance on "Real Time with Bill Maher." He started off by sharing his honest review of Super Bowl 59.

"To put it nicely, it wasn’t my cup of tea, but I got to respect it," Kid Rock said. “And here’s why: I grew up loving, emulating all things hip-hop, break dancing, deejaying, graffiti, rapping, and so I understand the culture a little bit more than most. And when I say most, of course, I mean white people. So watching it… after it’s a lot of things going through your head, you know, everyone’s like that sucks, this that and the other. I’m like, this kid pretty much came out figuratively with both middle fingers in the air, doing what he does for the people who love what he does unapologetically. And I don’t think he gives a frog’s fat [expletive] what anyone thinks about it. So I go, huh, it’s pretty much how I built my whole career. I gotta respect it."

After making this comment, Kid Rock suggested that Kaepernick played a role in Lamar headlining the Super Bowl halftime show.

"I’ve heard nobody answer this question: how did he get that gig? Jay-Z. What happened there? 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, because without him kneeling and getting everyone’s panties in a bunch over the anthem, self-included, I don’t think that happens," he said.

There's no proof that Kaepernick helped Lamar land this opportunity. Of course, that won't stop people from jumping to conclusions.

When the NFL partnered with Roc Nation in 2019, there was some controversy surrounding the deal due to Jay-Z's support for Kaepernick. At that time, there was still a ton of outrage surrounding the former 49ers star's "protest." People thought it was a questionable fit. Fast forward to 2025, and Roc Nation represented Kendrick Lamar at Super Bowl 59.

Do you think Kaepernick had some influence on the NFL's Super Bowl halftime show?

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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