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

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.

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.
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
NFL told Eminem not to kneel and he did it anyways. Fuck the NFL. Props to Eminem.
— Fifty Shades of Whey (@davenewworld_2) February 14, 2022
Eminem was like "fine I won't kneel"
@Despicable_mf
Eminem was like "fine I won't kneel" pic.twitter.com/7Qbbrwa03C
— d e s p i c a b l e (@Despicable_mf) February 14, 2022
Eminem kneels after NFL asked him not to. Don't tell a goat how to behave #SuperBowl
@OkayItsMeri
Eminem kneels after NFL asked him not to. Don't tell a goat how to behave#SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/AYSnXknk2J
— Meri’ ⚓️ (@OkayItsMeri) February 14, 2022
Republicans seeing Eminem kneel at the halftime show. #HalfTimeShow2022
@theflordeliza
Republicans seeing Eminem kneel at the halftime show. #HalfTimeShow2022 pic.twitter.com/FxwDfP1e7r
— Vax That Ass Up (@theflordeliza) February 14, 2022
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
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? 😂😂
— 👣Jarett & 🐾Lilly vs EVERYTHING (@JLVsTW1) February 13, 2022
Mane #Eminem said he don’t give af, he gon kneel regardless 😌
@Amberisms_
Mane #Eminem said he don’t give af, he gon kneel regardless 😌 pic.twitter.com/UDjGHrHgsg
— A is for Afro (@Amberisms_) February 14, 2022
Eminem kneeled after the NFL told him not to kneel !!!!
@SebastianAvenue
Eminem kneeled after the NFL told him not to kneel !!!! pic.twitter.com/w5OifdYCu8
— Ave (@SebastianAvenue) February 14, 2022
NFL: "DONT KNEEL DURING YOUR SHOW." Eminem: #HalfTimeShow
@MetaversalCash
NFL: "DONT KNEEL DURING YOUR SHOW."
— Vampire Hunter Dee (@MetaversalCash) February 14, 2022
Eminem: #HalfTimeShow pic.twitter.com/0Pee9CdONX
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
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 🐐
— vidα 🧘🏽 (@renegadevee) February 14, 2022
Eminem’s homage to the Colin Kaepernick kneel is respected because Black Lives Still Matter!
@DannieD01
Eminem’s homage to the Colin Kaepernick kneel is respected because Black Lives Still Matter! pic.twitter.com/k7HwhO7fer
— 🕊️💞Dannie D💞🕊️ (@DannieD01) February 14, 2022