There had been reports that NFL bosses had told Eminem not to take the knee
The NFL has responded after Eminem took the knee during his Super Bowl halftime show performance on Sunday evening, denying that they had told the rapper not to perform the gesture.
In a star-studded halftime show, Eminem performed alongside Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar and 50 Cent at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
However as he finished his performance of “Lose Yourself”, Eminem dropped to one knee and held his hand to his head.
Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Dr.Dre, Mary J. Blige e Kendrick Lamar e 50 cent, singing STILL DRE
#SuperBowl #PepsiHalftime #nfl pic.twitter.com/NOwkRaiTQm
— Sa Media (@SAMediaPromo) February 14, 2022
Although it was initially reported that the rapper had defied orders from the NFL to make the gesture, the organisation has now denied that this was the case.
Writing on Twitter, reporter Mike Freeman said he had been told NFL bosses made no such request to Eminem.
He wrote: “The part of the show were Eminem kneeled? Report stated it was against the wishes of the NFL. However, NFL spokesman Brian McCarhy told me that report is false.
“The NFL watched every rehearsal this week and that element was included. Just passing along.”
The part of the show were Eminem kneeled? Report stated it was against the wishes of the NFL.
However, NFL spokesman Brian McCarhy told me that report is false. The NFL watched every rehearsal this week and that element was included.
Just passing along.— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) February 14, 2022
McCarthy also told Fox News that bosses had been “aware” that the rapper would be performing the gesture.
He told the channel: “We watched all elements of the show during multiple rehearsals this week and were aware that Eminem was going to do that.”
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- Dr Dre paid subtle tribute to Tupac in Super Bowl halftime show
