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NFL Controversy Fueled By Eminem's Stunt

Eminem Kneels During His Super Bowl Halftime Performance

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The kneeling act became a point of contention among the public.

By kneeling at the Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show on Sunday, Eminem seemed to be continuing the movement that Colin Kaepernick began years ago.
Photo of the Remarkables mountain range in Queenstown, New Zealand.

After performing his 2002 song “Lose Yourself,” the rapper kneeled in protest of police violence and racial injustice. PEOPLE first reported this news.

During the national anthem before a 2016 preseason game, Kaepernick, a former quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, was widely chastised for launching this kind of protest. Athletes from many levels of sports have knelt in sympathy with Kaepernick and his message since then during the national anthem.

“The NFL watched every rehearsal this week and that element was included,” a representative told USA Today reporter Mike Freeman, despite allegations that the kneeling was against the NFL’s intentions.

Eminem has always backed Kaepernick’s efforts throughout his career. At the 2017 BET Hip Hop Awards, he performed a blistering 4.5-minute freestyle rap in which he slammed former President Donald Trump while praising his anti-racism and anti-police brutality stances, among other things.

Photo of the Remarkables mountain range in Queenstown, New Zealand.
Kaepernick opted out of his contract with the San Francisco 49ers a year after his contentious demonstrations. He hasn’t been able to sign with any NFL organization ever since.

In October 2017, Kaepernick and Eric Reid, a fellow protester, filed a complaint with the NFL alleging that owners conspired to keep him off of a team. A settlement was reached in February 2019, with Kaepernick receiving only about $10 million — $2 million less than his basic pay in 2016 — according to ESPN’s report acquired by the publication.

When it came to the NFL’s handling of Kaepernick’s protest in 2020, commissioner Roger Goodell issued an apology. “I wish we had listened earlier, Kaep, to what you were kneeling about and what you were trying to bring attention to,” he stated at the time.

Dr. Dre, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, and surprise guest 50 Cent also performed throughout the concert.

Reactions to Eminem Kneels During His Super Bowl Halftime Performance

NFL told Eminem not to kneel and he did it anyways. Fuck the NFL. Props to Eminem.

@davenewworld_2

Eminem was like "fine I won't kneel"

@Despicable_mf

Eminem kneels after NFL asked him not to. Don't tell a goat how to behave #SuperBowl

@OkayItsMeri

Republicans seeing Eminem kneel at the halftime show. #HalfTimeShow2022

@theflordeliza

So the NFL is telling Eminem that he isn’t allowed to kneel in solidarity during the show! Do they seriously think he gives a shit what they want him not to do? 😂😂

@JLVsTW1

Mane #Eminem said he don’t give af, he gon kneel regardless 😌

@Amberisms_

Eminem kneeled after the NFL told him not to kneel !!!!

@SebastianAvenue

NFL: "DONT KNEEL DURING YOUR SHOW." Eminem: #HalfTimeShow

@MetaversalCash

Being a Black woman and watching Eminem kneel during the Super Bowl Halftime Show, going against everything the NFL told him not to do. Yeah that's why he'll always be my 🐐

@renegadevee

Eminem’s homage to the Colin Kaepernick kneel is respected because Black Lives Still Matter!

@DannieD01

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