Jay-Z’s latest Yankee Stadium freestyle has reopened an old conversation about Colin Kaepernick, the NFL and the confidential settlement that ended Kaepernick’s collusion grievance.
TMZ reported that sources with direct knowledge pushed back on Jay-Z’s suggestion that Kaepernick signed a non-disparagement agreement with the NFL as part of his 2019 settlement.
According to the outlet, Kaepernick did not agree to be silenced from criticizing the league.
Jay-Z Referenced Kaepernick During His Concert
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The moment happened during Jay-Z’s Friday night opener at Yankee Stadium. TMZ reported that the rapper used a freestyle to address critics and brought up Kaepernick while referring to the former quarterback’s settlement with the NFL.
Jay-Z’s own relationship with the NFL has been debated for years. Roc Nation partnered with the league in 2019 to consult on entertainment, including Super Bowl halftime performances, and to contribute to the NFL’s Inspire Change initiative.
The partnership came after Jay-Z had publicly supported Kaepernick.
TMZ Says There Was No Non-Disparagement Clause
TMZ reported that Kaepernick’s 2019 deal with the NFL prevents both sides from revealing the terms of the settlement. Sources told the outlet that the agreement did not include a clause barring Kaepernick from criticizing the NFL.
TMZ’s sources argued that he would not have been able to keep publicly criticizing NFL teams for not signing him if he had agreed not to disparage the league.
The 2019 Settlement Was Always Confidential
Kaepernick and Eric Reid settled their collusion grievances against the NFL in February 2019. At the time, the league and the players’ attorneys said the matter had been resolved and that the resolution was subject to a confidentiality agreement.
Kaepernick had alleged that NFL teams colluded to keep him out of the league because of his protest and activism. The NFL did not publicly admit wrongdoing as part of the settlement.
Kaepernick has not played in the NFL since the 2016 season. He became a national figure after kneeling during the national anthem to protest police brutality and racial injustice, then later accused NFL teams of colluding to keep him out of the league.
Kaepernick attorney Mark Geragos criticized the deal at the time, while Jay-Z argued that the next step was moving from protest into “actionable items.”