The NFL Was “Aware” Eminem Would Take a Knee at Super Bowl 2022 Halftime Show

During the Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show, Eminem took a knee during his performance of “Lose Yourself”—an apparent tribute to Colin Kaepernick. Amid rumors that the kneel was done in defiance of the NFL’s wishes, a spokesperson for the league has denied this was the case. Brian McCarthy told the New York Times said the NFL knew the moment would happen because officials “watched it during rehearsals this week.”

Eminem was joined at tonight’s Halftime Show by Kendrick Lamar, Dr. Dre, Mary J. Blige, and Snoop Dogg. 50 Cent made a cameo (while hanging upside-down), and Eminem’s performance featured the drumming talents of Anderson .Paak. Prior to kickoff, Mickey Guyton sang “The Star-Spangled Banner,” Jhené Aiko sang “America the Beautiful,” and Mary Mary did a rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Zedd DJ’d the pre-game show.

Eminem surprise-released Music to Be Murdered By in January 2020 and it quickly became the rapper’s 10th consecutive No. 1 album, breaking his tie with Kanye West for the most No. 1 debuts in a row on the Billboard 200. In recent years, Eminem made a surprise appearance at the 2020 Oscars (where he performed “Lose Yourself”), dropped “The Adventures of Moon Man & Slim Shady” with Kid Cudi, and was nominated for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.