Eminem showed his support for sports star Colin Kaepernick by taking the knee during the Super Bowl Halftime Show on Sunday.
The “Without Me” rapper headlined the show with his collaborator Dr. Dre as well as Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, and Mary J. Blige at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
After he performed “Lose Yourself” towards the end of the set, he made a statement by kneeling and holding his head in his hand.
He stayed there for a full minute while Dre played an instrumental on the piano.
Quarterback Kaepernick first took the knee to protest police brutality during the 2016 season, a controversial move that has spread throughout sports.
He has not played in the National Football League (NFL) since the end of that season and it is widely believed he was blacklisted by the league over his protest.
In a statement, a representative for the NFL insisted they were aware of Eminem’s plan as he did it in rehearsals.
“We watched all elements of the show during multiple rehearsals this week and were aware that Eminem was going to do that,” the rep said. “This was not an area of concern. A player or coach could have taken a knee today and there would not have been an issue.”
The headliners were joined by surprise guests 50 Cent, who performed his track “In Da Club,” and Anderson .Paak on drums.
The set opened with Dre and Snoop’s 2000 hit The Next Episode before Dre performed his verse from Tupac Shakur’s track “California Love.”
Blige sang her big hits, “Family Affair” and “No More Drama,” before Lamar came out and rapped “M.A.A.D City” and “Alright.”
After Eminem gave a rendition of “Lose Yourself,” the five headliners plus 50 Cent gathered for the finale – a performance of “Still D.R.E.”
The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals to take home the Super Bowl trophy.
While Eminem’s commitment to social justice was lauded by most people, members of the right expressed outrage at him making a political statement, as well as the skin shown on the big stage.
The NFL is now the league of sexual anarchy. This halftime show should not be allowed on television.
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) February 14, 2022
BLACK LIVES MATHERS: Watch Eminem Take a Knee Kaepernick Style During Halftime Show https://t.co/vdurzW0Bz3
— Sean Hannity 🇺🇸 (@seanhannity) February 14, 2022
https://twitter.com/RossThe59/status/1493264306607173636?s=20&t=hQjPvAxod527un3AtmaJcg
https://twitter.com/CB444618/status/1493263347311067150?s=20&t=hQjPvAxod527un3AtmaJcg
@JDCocchiarella no one really gives a s### that Eminem stooped to the Democrats level. Well, other than you and I guess your Democrat W⚓. You all seem obsessed on lying about how the Republicans are upset you big ass W⚓ https://t.co/iBfQaHLoyK
— Kim (@HappHappHappy1) February 14, 2022
So hating Eminem's music, a white guy as I recall, is racist?
Get a clue, Rap (or talking to a beat) isn't music.— mike klein (@mikekmikek) February 14, 2022
Eminem is P### SATANIC PIECE OF SH17…
— Starseed (@Aw4ke144) February 14, 2022
NFL was 'aware' Eminem was going to kneel during Super Bowl halftime performance, rep says https://t.co/jXA1kcDrDX #FoxNews
I am glad I tuned out the half-time show b/c of this #schiff still going on. I also did not watch the pre-game s###-show either, just the game
Great game!— guajirodejaronu (@guajirodejaronu) February 14, 2022