Report: Travis Scott Spoke With Colin Kaepernick Before Accepting Super Bowl Halftime Gig

Carla Speight/Getty Images Ever since Travis Scott and Big Boi agreed to appear with Maroon 5 at the Super Bowl 53 halftime show next month, they’ve both been slammed on social media for allegedly selling out in the face of the NFL’s treatment of Colin Kaepernick. Now there’s a report that Scott spoke with Kaepernick before accepting the gig.

Variety reports Scott and Kaepernick had “at least one phone conversation” before Scott agreed to accept the gig. Variety further reports: “A source close to Scott said that while the two did not necessarily agree, they emerged from the conversation with mutual respect and understanding.”

Both Scott and Kaepernick declined a request to comment, says Variety.

As already reported, Scott agreed to perform at the Super Bowl only if the NFL joined him in making a joint $500,000 donation to the non-profit Dream Corps. In a joint statement with the NFL last Sunday announcing the donation, Scott said, in part, “I back anyone who takes a stand for what they believe in, I know being an artist that it’s in my power to inspire. So before confirming the Super Bowl Halftime performance, I made sure to partner with the NFL on this important donation.”

Kaepernick, who was previously a quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, protested racial injustice in the U.S. by kneeling during the national anthem before football games and hasn’t been signed to an NFL team since 2017. He filed a grievance against the NFL last October, alleging NFL team owners colluded to keep him out of the league because of his protests.

As previously reported, the likes of Rihanna, Cardi B and JAY Z allegedly backed out of the halftime performance in solidarity with Kaepernick.

Super Bowl 53 will take place at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz stadium February 3.