When Eminem took a knee during the Super Bowl’s halftime show on Sunday, some viewers wondered whether the NFL supported the stunt or tried to stop it.
After the performance, the NFL tried to take the middle road, saying it was “aware” of Eminem’s kneel in support of Colin Kaepernick, denying a report from Sunday morning that claimed the league had tried to nix the rapper’s plans.
Eminem taking a knee for Kaepernick? pic.twitter.com/T4p3vOHBUC
— The Recount (@therecount) February 14, 2022
According to a report from Puck’s Eriq Gardner, the NFL clashed with rap artist Dr. Dre about some of his lyrics — including an anti-police line in “Still D.R.E.” that he did say during the performance — and told Eminem he was not allowed to take a knee.
However, league officials denied that report after Slim Shady knelt for about 45 seconds following his performance of his Oscar-winning song “Lose Yourself.”
“We watched all elements of the show during multiple rehearsals this week and were aware that Eminem was going to do that,” NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy said, per ESPN.
The rapper’s display was likely a tribute to Kaepernick, who popularized kneeling during the national anthem to protest police brutality and racial injustice and caused a multi-year controversy in the NFL.
Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Dr.Dre, Mary J. Blige e Kendrick Lamar e 50 cent, singing STILL DRE
#SuperBowl #PepsiHalftime #nfl pic.twitter.com/NOwkRaiTQm
— , (@SAMediaPromo) February 14, 2022
