During the Super Bowl 2022 halftime show on Sunday night, rapper Eminem took a knee “Colin Kaepernick style,” much to the dismay of many patriotic fans.
Eminem Takes A Knee
🏈 Eminem ended his hit 'Lose Yourself' by kneeling and placing his head in his hand, a gesture that former quarterback Colin Kaepernick made during the National Anthem at NFL games as a call for racial justice https://t.co/hFKbGbg2l6 #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/euHjN5Qibc
— Reuters (@Reuters) February 14, 2022
The New York Post reported that Eminem had been at odds with the NFL when it came to whether or not he would kneel during the halftime show that also included Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar, and 50 Cent.
Eminem wanted to take a knee during halftime today. The NFL said no way. The backstage clash reveals a larger truth about how the league uses legal threats as image management. https://t.co/NsdVdpt4Fh
— Matthew Belloni (@MattBelloni) February 13, 2022
NFL Fires Back
However, a representative with the NFL has since claimed that the league had no problem with Eminem kneeling, pointing out that players have been taking knees for years now, so officials wouldn’t have a problem with a performer doing so as well. This spokesman also said that officials were aware that Eminem planned to kneel going into his performance.
“We watched all elements of the show during multiple rehearsals this week and were aware that Eminem was going to do that,” the NFL spokesman told ESPN.
Colin Kaepernick infamously began taking a knee during the national anthem before his games as a quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers during the 2016 season.
Though he claimed he was doing so to protest against racial inequality in America, many Americans saw this as a clear sign of disrespect to the American flag, and to those who have fought and died for it.
Related: Colin Kaepernick Heckled After Leaving Knicks Game With Spike Lee
Todd Starnes’ Hot Take
Conservative commentator Todd Starnes had a fun take on the situation, claiming that Eminem was actually trying to honor that conservative Christian former NFL star Tim Tebow, who regularly takes a knee for prayer.
“How awesome to see Eminem honor Tim Tebow tonight during the #SuperBowl halftime show!” Starnes tweeted.
Related: Ex-Jaguars Wide Receiver Jimmy Smith: Kaepernick Would ‘Divide Locker Room’ – ‘Team Needs Tebow’
https://twitter.com/toddstarnes/status/1493078512550531076?s=20&t=v8PbKlUdXAIs4zwbuOwEtg
Related: Ex-Jaguars Wide Receiver Jimmy Smith: Kaepernick Would ‘Divide Locker Room’ – ‘Team Needs Tebow’
NFL’s Other Issues
A previous report from Puck alleged that NFL officials “also flagged something that Snoop Dogg was set to wear as possibly appearing gang-related.”
It then claimed that Dr. Dre argued with NFL officials as he planned his set because he felt “disgustingly censored” by them.
NFL officials allegedly did not want him to curse, and had a problem with his lyrics “Still D.R.E.” — “still not loving police” — because they didn’t want this performance to be a “divisive culture war moment.”
The Los Angeles Rams managed to come out on top over the Cincinnati Bengals by a score of 23-20 to win the Super Bowl last night.
Meanwhile, it’s been five years since Kaepernick was signed by an NFL team, with liberals claiming that he has not been re-signed because the league is “racist.” Others, however, have pointed out that Kaepernick’s lack of football skill is likely why he has yet to be resigned.
It’s unfortunate that Eminem decided to use his Super Bowl performance to kneel in solidarity with someone who has made millions off bashing America and playing off the racial and political divides in this country.
If you missed the Super Bowl 2022 halftime show, here you go: