Speaking of the backlash that he receives over the partnership, the Roc Nation founder stresses that their deal is 'the next phase' in their effort to bring attention to social injustice.
- Aug 15, 2019
AceShowbiz - People weren't so happy when it was revealed that Jay-Z had struck a deal with NFL despite his strong support for Colin Kaepernick, who was blackballed by the organization after he opted to kneel during the national anthem as a way to protest social injustice back in 2016. Now, the rap mogul has defended his decision during a press conference with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
Speaking of the backlash that he received after the partnership was made public, Jay stressed that their deal is "the next phase" to bring attention to social injustice. "There [are] two parts of protesting. You go outside and you protest, and then the company or the individual says, 'I hear you. What do we do next?' "
"For me it's like action, [an] actionable item, what are we gonna do with it? Everyone heard, we hear what you're saying, and everybody knows I agree with what you're saying [in Colin's underlying message]," he continued. "So what are we gonna do? You know what I'm saying? [Help] millions and millions of people, or we get stuck on Colin not having a job."
Elsewhere during the conference, Jay was also asked about rumors that stated Rihanna could be headlining the 2010 Super Bowl Halftime show after rejecting it this year. But instead of giving a clear answer, the "4:44" rapper played coy and said, "You have to ask her. That's a tough question."
Instead, he made it clear that the next headliner should "at least speak to the community. Speak to the guys that's on the ground organizing things and trying to make things better, in that sort of way." He also noted, "We had this conversation, you can't go to a city, plop a show down then leave."
Super Bowl LIV is scheduled to take place at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida on February 2.
