The San Francisco 49er’s and the Kansas City Chiefs faced off last night at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. for the Superbowl LIV. Among notable faces in the crowd, power-couple Jay-Z and Beyoncé sat for the game with their daughter Blue Ivy.
Last year Jay-Z made a deal with the National Football League on behalf of his record label, Roc Nation. This news shocked many because the record executive was a well-known supporter of former 49er’s quarterback, Colin Kaepernick.
Back in 2016, Kaepernick unforgettably kneeled during our nation’s anthem, pre-game. His civil protest was the cause of a massive stir in the media where he received backlash from one side and was eventually dismissed from the NFL. Consequentially, Kaepernick has yet to be signed by another NFL franchise.
The Roc Nation X NFL collab was seen as a slap in the face to Kaepernick.
The former 49er’s quarterback is currently in a lawsuit against the NFL. Carolina Panther’s safety, Eric Reid, said in a lockerroom interview that he saw the deal as “kind of despicable.”
Alternately, Jay-Z stood by his decision. His reasoning was the use of the NFL’s platform to bring awareness to white football fans. “As long as real people are being hurt and marginalized and losing family members, then yes, I can take a couple rounds of negative press,” he said in one interview.
In an interview on Saturday, Jay said his deal wasn’t a betrayal to Kaepernick. Instead, he was attempting to achieve the same goal by taking a different route.
That said, a controversial TMZ video surfaced during yesterday’s game. Jay-Z, Bey, and Blue Ivy were all seen sitting down during Demi Lovato’s national anthem performance. Everyone surrounding them, including their bodyguard, was standing.
What do you guys think about Jay-Z and Beyoncé sitting during the anthem? What are your opinions of Colin Kaepernick?
Lastly, let us know your thoughts in the comments!
