--- description: Bronx rapper Cardi B weighed in on Jay Z's new deal with the NFL and activist Colin Kaepernick's future in the league. title: Celebrities Weigh in on Jay Z's New NFL Deal image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt6adcb8824f192a39/698a019122fb85ca1de29b29/cardi-b-jay-z-nfl.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [Newsfeed](/tag/time-section-newsfeed/) ## Newsfeed Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # 'I Feel Like Jay-Z Can Bring Back Colin Kaepernick.' Celebrities Weigh in on Jay Z's New NFL Deal ## Video: Trump Says He Would Like to See Colin Kaepernick Back at NFL If "He Is Good Enough" [Watch (HLS stream): Trump Says He Would Like to See Colin Kaepernick Back at NFL If "He Is Good Enough"](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/RuLWDZ7U.m3u8) (0:32)  _Published 2019-08-09. Colin Kaepernick is eager to prove he's good enough to play in the NFL._  by [Cady Lang](/author/cady-lang/)  ## Cady Lang Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Aug 19, 2019 5:40 PM CUT  Rapper Cardi B performs onstage during the 92.3 Real Street Festival at Honda Center on August 11, 2019 in Anaheim, California. Rapper Cardi B performs onstage during the 92.3 Real Street Festival at Honda Center on August 11, 2019 in Anaheim, California.Scott Dudelson—Getty Images  by [Cady Lang](/author/cady-lang/)  ## Cady Lang Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Aug 19, 2019 5:40 PM CUT [Cardi B](https://time.com/5548908/cardi-b-politics/ "undefined") is known for speaking her mind and her thoughts on [Jay Z](https://time.com/5602827/nicole-curran-jayz-beyonce-game-3/ "undefined")‘s controversial new deal with the NFL are no exception. The Bronx rapper told [_TMZ_](https://www.tmz.com/videos/081819-cardi-b-4615625-0-x4yeau0k/ "undefined")on Saturday that she thinks that Jay Z and Roc Nation consulting on entertainment and social justice projects for the NFL could “make a change.” Jay Z, who will act as a “live music entertainment strategist” for the NFL, has been criticized for working with the league in light of its [treatment of Colin Kaepernick](https://time.com/5519606/colin-kaepernick-super-bowl-boycott/ "undefined") following his activism. “I feel like he didn’t \[go\] on an NFL deal without an agreement,” she said. “I feel like he went in there like, ‘All right, if you guys want me to work with y’all, y’all need to put my people in here. Y’all need to do things my way.’ I feel like he’s gonna change it.” Cardi also said that she hoped that Jay Z would be able to influence the league to hire [Kaepernick](https://time.com/5386204/colin-kaepernick-nike-keeps-winning/ "undefined"), who has not played in the league since 2016, following tensions[ over his decision to kneel during the national anthem](https://time.com/4504014/colin-kaepernick-kneel/ "undefined") as a form of peaceful protest against police brutality and racial inequality. “I feel like Jay-Z can bring back Colin Kaepernick,” she said. “I feel so. I feel like he has that power. I feel like Jay-Z can do it.” Cardi has been a vocal supporter of Kaepernick and his activism; last year, [she told the Associated Press](https://time.com/5519606/colin-kaepernick-super-bowl-boycott/ "undefined") that she turned down the opportunity to appear during the Super Bowl halftime show as a show of solidarity with him. Cardi isn’t the only one who’s spoken publicly about the issue. Carolina Panthers player Eric Reid, who began kneeling during the anthem as show of solidarity for Kaepernick, weighed in on a rumor that Jay Z may also become a part owner of an NFL team. “Jay-Z claimed to be a supporter of Colin, wore his jersey, told people not to perform at the Super Bowl because of \[what\] the NFL did to Colin,” Reid said. “Now he’s going to be a part owner, that’s kind of despicable.” > [](https://twitter.com/josephperson/status/1162553068187262978) Jay Z, for his part, responded to critics by positing that his NFL deal was also a way of working to address racial inequality. “We forget that Colin’s whole thing was to bring attention to social injustice,” he said during a press conference about the partnership on Wednesday. “In that case, this is a success.” Later, when asked whether he would kneel or stand during the anthem, Jay Z said: “I think we’ve moved past kneeling. I think it’s time to go into actionable items.” > [](https://twitter.com/lindsay%5Frhodes/status/1161853537128726530) Kaepernick did not address the issue directly, but posted a tweet of Reid and other NFL players who continue to kneel during the national anthem, expressing thanks and encouraging them to “continue to put their beliefs into action.” > [](https://twitter.com/Kaepernick7/status/1163145201852006401) ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/5655381/jay-z-nfl-kaepernick-controversy-responses/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/5655381/jay-z-nfl-kaepernick-controversy-responses/"},"headline":"'I Feel Like Jay-Z Can Bring Back Colin Kaepernick.' 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