Colin Kaepernick, the former NFL quarterback known for kneeling during the national anthem to protest racial injustice, recently suggested that rapper Jay-Z's recent comments about him reflect a "guilty conscience." The remarks come as tensions between the two public figures continue to grow. Kaepernick made the comments during an interview with NBC News following Jay-Z's July concert, where the rapper referenced Kaepernick and his settlement with the NFL in an impromptu rap. Jay-Z mentioned critics of Kaepernick's partnership with Target, saying, “They run out of characters, had to bring back up [Kaepernick] again.” He also noted, “Buddy took a check, I ain’t even mad at him, but along with that check you have to sign a non-disparagement. I’m the one [the NFL] can’t control.” Jay-Z faced criticism earlier this year for selling his album “Reasonable Doubt” exclusively at Target, a retailer that has been boycotted by Black shoppers due to its rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Kaepernick, who has continued to support the boycott, confirmed he will not sell his upcoming memoir, “The Perilous Fight,” in Target stores. Target has not commented on the matter. For his book tour, Kaepernick is partnering with the National Association of Black Bookstores. He will be the first guest on “Before & After with Lester Holt,” starting Sept. 7, and will appear on “TODAY” on Sept. 16. Jay-Z's July comments contrasted with his 2017 support for Kaepernick, when he dedicated a performance of his song “The Story of O.J.” to the quarterback after Kaepernick's protests against police brutality. At that time, Kaepernick was a free agent and had not found employment in the NFL since his protests in the 2016 season. Jay-Z, who wore Kaepernick’s jersey during a performance on “Saturday Night Live” in 2017, was one of his highest-profile supporters. In 2018, Jay-Z and Beyoncé rapped about the NFL in the song “Apes---,” stating, “I said no to the Super Bowl. You need me; I don’t need you.” In his book, Kaepernick wrote that Jay-Z asked him in 2017 to kneel onstage during a performance of “The Story of O.J.” but that he declined, partly due to objections to racial slurs in the song’s lyrics. Kaepernick also noted that he had difficulties connecting with Jay-Z on the phone as they exchanged emails to collaborate on social justice issues. Their relationship changed in August 2019 when Jay-Z announced that Roc Nation, the entertainment company he co-founded, would partner with the NFL. Roc Nation has since produced every Super Bowl halftime show and works with the league on social justice initiatives. In his book, Kaepernick wrote that Jay-Z informed him about the partnership only after it had been agreed upon, and Kaepernick expressed his displeasure. “I just want you to know, one, you’re serving the culture up to a bunch of racists and, two, they don’t care about you,” Kaepernick wrote about what he told Jay-Z. “You’re the music guy to them. They quite literally need a Black face—and have said as much.” Kaepernick, who told NBC News’ Lester Holt that he did not sign a non-disparagement agreement with the NFL after settling his collusion lawsuit in 2019, said several people sent him the video of Jay-Z’s freestyle. “First and foremost, what it speaks to is the power of people,” Kaepernick said about his reaction. “The backlash that [Jay-Z] received for partnering with the NFL and going counter to people’s interests in 2019 was a major problem for him, so much so that he’s still bringing it up in 2026.” He added, “People are now realizing, ‘Why are you so comfortable stepping into these positions that are counter to the positions that people on the ground actually want?’ And to me, I view that as speaking to a guilty conscience and trying to reposition or reframe the conversation.”