February 15, (THEWILL) – The National Football League has rejected accusations that Eminem, also known as Marshall Mathers, disobeyed the league’s desires during the halftime show on Sunday.
THEWILL recalls that Eminem took a dramatic knee after playing “Lose Yourself”, during the excellent Super Bowl hip-hop halftime show, which included Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, Mary J. Blige, and 50 Cent.
The rapper’s decision to kneel with his hand on his head looked to be a gesture of support for former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick and other athletes, who have protested racial injustice and police brutality by kneeling during the national anthem.
In response to rumours in the media that Eminem kneeled in violation of the NFL, the league’s spokesperson Brian McCarthy responded that such assertions are inaccurate: “We watched all elements of the show during multiple rehearsals this week and were aware that Eminem was going to do that.
“A player or coach could have taken a knee and there would have been no repercussions, so there was no reason to tell an artist she or he could not do so.”
During the 2016 NFL season, Kaepernick garnered international notice by kneeling to protest the injustice of Black people in America, while playing for the San Francisco 49ers. After winning a legal challenge against NFL owners who colluded to keep Kaepernick out because of his pregame protest, Kaepernick was kicked out of the league.
“I wish we had listened earlier, Kaep, to what you were kneeling about and what you were trying to bring attention to.” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in 2020, apologising for the league’s handling of Kaepernick’s protest.
Goodell also voiced dissatisfaction with the media’s portrayal of the league’s players’ peaceful protests.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
