Roc Nation issued a recursive denial of reports that a disappointed Jay-Z called Colin Kaepernick’s workout a “publicity stunt”

“A source at Roc Nation tells us JAY-Z...hasn’t spoken to any sources.”

November 18, 2019
Roc Nation issued a recursive denial of reports that a disappointed Jay-Z called Colin Kaepernick’s workout a “publicity stunt” (L) Jay-Z, (R) Colin Kaepernick   (L) Randy Shropshire, (R) Thearon W. Henderson / Getty

On Saturday, quarterback Colin Kaepernick participated in an NFL workout, showing off his arm for league talent scouts. This was his first chance to do so since he became a free agent after the 2016 season, when he kneeled silently during the national anthem to protest brutality against black Americans. Many speculated that a conspiracy among NFL owners was keeping Kaepernick unsigned, and Kaepernick filed a grievance against the league alleging as much. Both sides reached a confidential settlement in February, opening the possibility that Kaepernick could again grace an NFL field.

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Jay-Z has been vocally supportive of Kaepernick, but faced major backlash when he entered into a business partnership with the NFL this summer.“I think we’ve moved past kneeling. I think it’s time to go on to actionable items,” he said at the press conference announcing the partnership. However, he also may have helped to make Saturday’s workout happen, according to the New York Times.

But after Kaepernick moved the event’s location last minute, and shot a Nike ad during the workout, Sports Illustrated reported (quoting "a source") that Jay-Z was “disappointed with Colin's actions and believes he turned a legitimate workout into a publicity stunt.” Today, Jay-Z's entertainment company Roc Nation responded on Twitter, denying the report and cheekily—mockingly?—echoing Sports Illustrated’s attribution: “A source at Roc Nation tells us JAY-Z (@S_C_) hasn’t spoken to any sources.”



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Roc Nation issued a recursive denial of reports that a disappointed Jay-Z called Colin Kaepernick’s workout a “publicity stunt”