Iconic couple Beyoncé and Jay-Z caused quite the stir when they sat down during the national
anthem at Super Bowl 54 in Miami.
Most people found out about their decision when TMZ posted a video of the duo and their
daughter, 8-year-old Blue Ivy, sitting down while Demi Lovato belted out the "The Star-Spangled
Banner."
Outraged headlines and reactions spread like wildfire from the usual outlets, including
a chastising from critic Kyle Smith, who argued in the New York Post that the musicians should,
quote, "have gratitude" for their country.
Of course, sitting down during the national anthem is vastly more layered than not respecting
the USA and its veterans.
Case in point?
Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick's "take a knee" movement, which is about peacefully
drawing awareness to racial injustice in America.
But were Mr. and Mrs. Carter taking a hard political stance, or was this just an honest
misunderstanding?
The curiosity is especially heightened considering that Jay-Z's label, Roc Nation, partnered
with the NFL in August 2019 to, quote, "help advise on the selection of artists for major
NFL performances like the Super Bowl" in order to "nurture and strengthen community through
football and music, including through the NFL's Inspire Change initiative," per the
NFL's website.
Jay-Z had the chance to address the Super Bowl 54 backlash during a talk at New York's
Columbia University two days later, which reshaped the narrative of this entire controversy.
According to Page Six, when asked whether the move was a political one, Jay-Z said,
"It wasn't.
Sorry.
It really wasn't."
The "99 Problems" rapper then dove into an explanation of how he and Beyoncé were focused
on the pre-show performances, featuring artists picked with the help of Roc Nation.
He continued,
"I'm looking at the show.
'Did the mic start?
Was it too low to start?'
The whole time we're sitting there, we're talking about the performance.
Then right after that, Demi comes out, and we're talking about how beautiful she looks
and how she sounds and what she's gone through in her life for her to be on the stage.
We're so proud of her."
The New York native, who revealed he wouldn't have included his young daughter in a political
protest, also argued boundaries were pushed at Jennifer Lopez and Shakira's inclusive
halftime show, saying,
"I didn't have to make a silent protest.
If you look at the stage, the artists that we chose, Colombian Shakira, Puerto Rican
J.Lo.
We were making the biggest loudest protest of all."
Jay-Z's connection to the NFL is complicated and teeming with controversy, so it's honestly
no surprise that his attendance at the Super Bowl sparked some drama.
"New York City, what's up?"
It all started when the rapper publicly supported Colin Kaepernick in 2017 during an appearance
on Saturday Night Live, wearing a jersey with the former 49ers star's name and his team
number emblazoned on the back.
The musician also dedicated a song, "The Story of O.J.," to Kaepernick at one of his concerts
in September 2017, a tune largely about the struggles of African American people in America.
Kaepernick, who opted out of his contract with the 49ers in March 2017, was allegedly
being blackballed by the NFL at the time for his involvement in the "take a knee" movement.
Despite enjoying an impressive career up until his disagreements with the organization, as
of the making of this video, he remains unsigned by an NFL team.
Considering Jay-Z had supported the ex-football star in years past, some people were outraged
when he struck up a massive deal with the NFL in 2019.
The dad-of-three seemingly brushed off the backlash, arguing it's time to move forward
from Kaepernick.
Jay-Z told the New York Times in February 2020,
"No one is saying he hasn't been done wrong.
He was done wrong.
I would understand if it was three months ago.
But it was three years ago and someone needs to say, 'What do we do now - because people
are still dying?"
There's an ongoing debate about whether Jay-Z's partnership with the NFL and his leadership
of the Inspire Change initiative is effective.
Sportswriter Jemele Hill argued in The Atlantic in August 2019,
"It doesn't matter whom the NFL partners with, or how much money it pours into social-justice
causes.
The league's actions come off as disingenuous because Kaepernick remains unemployed as a
result of a peaceful protest."
Inspire Change has attempted to draw awareness of racial injustice in America, working together
with the NFL Players Coalition.
One example is when the Players Coalition aired a commercial during Super Bowl 54 highlighting
the death of Corey Jones, who was killed by a police officer in 2015.
Jones was the cousin of former Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin.
Boldin founded the coalition after the tragedy, hoping it will improve police/community relations
and criminal justice reform.
Culture writer Hannah Giorgis found the ad ineffective, noting in The Atlantic,
"There was no reference to the work of a specific community-based organization or commentary
on what kinds of policies might best combat police brutality.
Rather, Boldin invoked his cousin's memory specifically to promote the NFL's Inspire
Change program; with the spot, the league chose to elevate its own work above everything
else."
Bottom line?
The relationship between the NFL and Jay-Z - including where it concerns the national
anthem - continues to be controversial.
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