Rihanna Reportedly Turned Down The Super Bowl Halftime Show In Support Of Colin Kaepernick And People Applauded

“She said no because of the kneeling controversy,” Us Weekly reported.

Not to put a damper on your morning, but remember how you felt when you heard reports that Maroon 5 would be doing the Super Bowl halftime show this year?

Atlanta, home of Outkast, T.I., Future, Ludacris, Usher, etc., gets Maroon 5 to play the damn Super Bowl.

Many people had...feelings.

A brief list of musicians more fitting for Atlanta's Super Bowl than Maroon 5

Well, it turns out Maroon 5 wasn’t the NFL’s first pick either.

Rumor has it they had actually offered it to Rihanna! But she turned the gig down, according to a report from Us Weekly.

Rihanna, WHY????

According to the report, which BuzzFeed News has not been able to confirm, Rihanna declined in support of former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

“They offered it to her, but she said no because of the kneeling controversy. She doesn’t agree with the NFL’s stance,” an insider told Us Weekly.

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Obviously, many fans were devastated by the thought of what could have been.

we’re never getting rihanna at the super bowl

a rihanna super bowl halftime show would have shifted the tectonic plates of my wig but she had to stand up for what was right https://t.co/SpQlzredrE

Some people gleefully imagined her conversation with the NFL.

NFL: “You tryna perform at the Super Bowl???” Rihanna:

NFL: Hey, we'd love for you to perform at the Superbowl— Rihanna:

They said this was true solidarity.

Shout out to Rihanna. She turned down the Super Bowl halftime show to stand in solidarity with Colin Kaepernick.

Rihanna refuses to perform at the Super Bowl in solidarity with Colin Kaepernick. This is what solidarity looks like. Thank you @rihanna. https://t.co/N7ykmtXo0T

And that she was setting an example for (AHEM) other performers.

I love Rihanna for standing up for Colin Kaepernick. This is also what Justin Timberlake should have done for Janet Jackson. If you have influence and leverage, use it for good in the world. https://t.co/gArXqGUVHK

People loved her more than ever.

Rihanna is what’s good in the world. https://t.co/xd7oHZ93bE

I've loved @rihanna for some time. I love her even more today. 👑 #Superbowl #NFL

So, take whatever time you need to mourn, but never be surprised that Rihanna is sticking up for what she believes in.

And, remember, no matter who ends up playing...

Looks like Rihanna already won the super bowl.

BuzzFeed News has reached out to Rihanna, Kaepernick, and the NFL for comment.

CORRECTION

Multiple media outlets have reported that Maroon 5 will perform at the 2019 Super Bowl halftime show. A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that the NFL had officially confirmed this news.

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