Ricardo Lockette and Kaepernick

[MHSL82]

Point is... that in order for it be "slander" it has to damage someones reputation, not just be a false statement.

Plus, there has to be malice proven if the libeled (not slander) was a public figure. There is a higher standard for some - now, not sure how public you have to be to be one, but you could always make a strong case for someone as famous as Kaepernick. I'm pretty sure he is, but I have seen cases where I thought someone was when they weren't. Kaepernick seems more public than they are, but of course, does not put himself out there in the same light as say, a famous politician.

Also, what constitutes malice or the other requirements is subject to debate. The legal term for malice is not the same as the lay man term. Also, this is for libel, not slander. for a public official (or other legitimate public figure) to win a libel case, the statement must have been published knowing it to be false or with reckless disregard to its truth, (also known as actual malice).[Link]