There was no National Anthem during which to kneel on last night’s season premiere of Saturday Night Live — but musical guest Jay-Z found a way to make a statement of support for Colin Kaepernick anyway.
The rapper donned a black San Francisco 49ers jersey complete with a “Colin K” nameplate in tribute to the free-agent quarterback during his first musical performance of the night. He sported the No. 7 jersey for his reggae-fused song “Bam.”
Jay Z is wearing a Colin Kaepernick jersey on SNL. Sort of. pic.twitter.com/gJ7dLhGjtH
— Siobhan Morris (@siomo) October 1, 2017
Kaepernick, of course, started off a controversy last season by taking a knee while the Star-Spangled Banner played before games. He said the gesture was meant to protest racial inequality in the country and a rash of fatal shootings of black men by police.
That controversy burgeoned into a nationwide schism last weekend after President Trump weighed in to condemn the NFL for not firing or suspending the offending players.
“Very important that NFL players STAND tomorrow, and always, for the playing of our National Anthem. Respect our Flag and our Country!,” the president tweeted on Saturday.
Jay-Z turned down an offer to play during the Super Bowl Halftime Show in February out of solidarity with Kaepernick, The Source reported.
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