As Super Bowl LIII kicked off on Sunday night many celebrities reminded their fans that they planned on skipping the big game to stand with Colin Kaepernick.
The hashtag #ImWithKap trended as some of the biggest voices in sports and entertainment expressed their desire to act in solidarity with the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback who chose to silently protest systematic racism by taking a knee on the field during the national anthem. He has since accused the NFL of colluding to keep him off the field as he remains unsigned.
“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,” director Ava DuVernay tweeted.
“To watch the game is to compromise my beliefs. It’s not worth it. #ImWithKap.”
True Blood and Nightflyers actress Jodie Turner-Smith retweeted DuVernay’s comments with the addition of one word: “Same.”
Common posted a picture on Instagram of Dr. Angela Davis, who was wearing an #ImWithKap jersey. “If you have Dr. Davis’ support, you’re doing it right. Much Love @Kaepernick7,” he wrote in a caption.
In another picture the actor and rapper stood alongside Dr. Davis and further clarified his position.“You know where I Stand. #IStandWithKap,” he added.
Cardi B said she declined to perform at the game’s halftime’s show out of support for Kaepernick. She also cited the player’s predicament as why her husband Migos rapper Offset chose not to attend.
“My husband, he loves football. His kids play football. It’s really hard for him,” she told the Associated Press. “He really wants to go to the Super Bowl, but he can’t go to the Super Bowl, because he’s got to stand for something.”
Nick Cannon posted a slideshow featuring a video of Kapernick and protest footage. In the caption, he dedicated his commitment to supporting Kaepernick’s Know Your Rights Camp.
“#ImWithKap #7Challenge! I am donating $7 to Colin’s Know Your Rights Camp. The number 7 symbolizes Kap’s jersey number. I challenge you to donate $7 to @YourRightsCamp and nominate 7 others to do the same. Go to KnowYourRightsCamp.com and click donate,” he wrote.
