I mean, did anyone expect Eminem to be the kind of guy to follow the rules?
Ahead of the Super Bowl today, it was revealed by Eriq Gardner of Puck that Eminem planned on kneeling in solidarity with former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, during the halftime show.
In a revival of ’90s and early 2000s hip hop, Eminem was set to take the stage with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, and Compton’s own Kendrick Lamar.
However, when Eminem said that he planned on kneeling, the NFL was quick to put an “absolutely not” on it.
They also reportedly questioned Snoop’s outfit (and Crip affiliation) as well as some of Dre’s lyrics about police.
Needless to say, he did it anyways…
The NFL reportedly told @Eminem he could not kneel tonight.
They seemed to have forgotten he does not give a f**k 💯🎤 @drdre #Eminem #SBLVI #SuperBowl #PepsiHalftime #HalfTimeShow pic.twitter.com/CbNEdjh7Rb
— Frank Young (@FY3TV) February 14, 2022
I don’t think anybody was surprised…
NFL: "DONT KNEEL DURING YOUR SHOW."
Eminem: #HalfTimeShow pic.twitter.com/0Pee9CdONX
— Vampire Hunter Dee (@MetaversalCash) 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? 😂😂
— 👣Jarett & 🐾Lilly vs EVERYTHING (@JLVsTW1) February 13, 2022
NFL told Eminem to not kneel and he still did it fksjjssjsisisisjs man rapped about killing his wife he doesn't give a fuck
— The Impatient Tourist (@ImpatienTourist) February 14, 2022
The NFL telling Eminem not to kneel during the halftime guaranteed Eminem would kneel at the halftime. Like, do they even know him?
— Justin Meeks (@JustinMeeksAR) February 14, 2022
NFL : You can’t kneel
Eminem : #PepsiHalftime #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/BtZq4bAuWa
— tommy1211 (@wehaveagronk) February 14, 2022
NFL to Eminem: "DO. NOT. KNEEL."
Eminem: "This opportunity comes once in a lifetime."🧎🏻 https://t.co/6tanEIvwBR
— Ashton Pittman (@ashtonpittman) February 14, 2022
And while a number of people loved the act of defiance, a number of other football fans found it disrespectful:
OMG @Eminem Took a knee! Who TF was he kneeling for? What was it for? Tell me how it makes any difference or helps anyone?
— The B00g3yMan AKA Tim 🇺🇸💯👍 (@TheBoogeyPage) February 14, 2022
@Eminem you kneel during the bowl and this is one lifelong fan you will loose forever!
— David Davis (@ijusgotbooted) February 13, 2022
Why I didn’t think nothing of Eminem kneeling… I thought he was just catching his breath.
— PLEASE SAY THE DOCTOR (@_DrSalesman) February 14, 2022
Eminem kneeling at the Superbowl was fitting…Just like Kaepernick, he was last on the depth chart and took a knee hoping it made him relevant again..#SuperBowl
— Doug Caissie (@Sumdude2017) February 14, 2022
Anyways…
Go Bengals.
Joe Burrow's pre-game fit 🔥
(via @Bengals)pic.twitter.com/Ltu3lIgIO5
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 13, 2022
Throwback To Shania Twain’s 2003 Super Bowl Halftime Show
The year was 2003.
The Oakland Raiders were set to take on their former head coach Jon Gruden and the stout defense of his Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl XXXVII.
The game was a blow out, with the Bucs jumping out to a 20-3 lead by halftime and never looking back.
And speaking of halftime, 2003 was the last time a country music act got to perform the show… we’re talking about the great Shania Twain.
Singing her 1999 hit single “Man! I Feel Like A Woman” and 2003’s “Up,” which was released shortly before the Super Bowl, Shania eventually hopped up on a lift and flew out over the audience to end her performance. You know, some real Garth Brooks kind of shit.
Shortly thereafter, No Doubt and Sting took the stage to bring the Super Bowl halftime show to its conclusion.
Unfortunately, we haven’t see a country act since, however Eric Church performed the national anthem alongside Jazmine Sullivan at last year’s Super Bowl LV, and Mickey Guyton will handle the anthem this year as Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals take on Matt Stafford and the Los Angels Rams.
Stafford Kupp ’22 – Get the shirt HERE.
