The National Football League says that it was aware of Eminem’s plans to kneel during the Super Bowl Halftime Show, refuting reports that they had asked Eminem not to kneel when the rap superstar informed him of his plans to do so.
“We watched all elements of the show during multiple rehearsals this week and were aware that Eminem was going to do that,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said (h/t ESPN).
Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the national anthem to protest police brutality and social injustice back in 2016, and a number of other player joined him during that season, which sparked widespread controversy and is a big reason why many believe Kaepernick has been out of football since.
