There are still plenty of unknowns about Jay-Z and Roc Nation’s new music and social justice partnership with the NFL, but Carolina Panthers safety Eric Reid, who continues to take a knee during the national anthem to protest racial inequality, has his doubts.
According to multiple reports, Roc Nation will work with the NFL in an advisory role to consult on live entertainment for the league’s major events, such as the Super Bowl. It also entails work with the league’s Inspire Change program, meant to support players advancing social causes.
In a series of tweets, Reid questioned the deal in light of the recent backlash against Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross.
He also noted that Colin Kaepernick, who has essentially been blackballed by the NFL for his social justice protests, has not been a part of the initial conversations between Jay-Z and commissioner Roger Goodell.
Reid also reiterated his criticism of the NFL for essentially paying lip service to helping communities of color.
“I won’t quit playing but I will be a royal pain in the NFL’s a** for acting like they care bout people of color by forming numerous disingenuous partnerships to address social injustice while collectively blackballing Colin, the person who brought oppression and social injustice to the forefront of the NFL platform,” he wrote.
Roc Nation’s partnership with the NFL certainly seems surprising, considering Jay-Z has been not just an active supporter of Kaepernick, but a vocal critic of the league. He has taken a direct hit at the NFL in the song “Apesh—” and confirms he turned down an offer to perform at the Super Bowl.
“You need me, I don’t need you/ Every night we in the end zone, tell the NFL we in stadiums too,” the line goes.
Back in 2017, he wore a Kaepernick jersey during his Saturday Night Live performance, and, at a concert in Miami, spoke about the necessity of understanding what players taking a knee were really trying to protest.
“I want y’all to understand, when people are kneeling and putting their fists up in the air and doing what they’re doing, it’s not about the flag, it’s about justice. It’s about injustice. And that’s not a black or white thing, it’s a human issue.”
In light of his past support, and his and Beyonce’s overall commitment to supporting causes that advance racial equality, Jay-Z has left himself vulnerable to accusations that he’s merely exploiting the cause for financial gain.
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, he seemed to acknowledge the criticisms of his partnership with league.
“We’re going through a tough time,” he said. “A lot of people are not agreeing with one another. And we have to just push it along a little bit. There’s no magic pill. No one is going to have the solution themselves. You just have to do your little thing to push it along.”
Update: In an interview given later both Jay-Z and Roger Goodell say they’ve spoken with Kaepernick, but, per Variety, “declined to reveal any details about those conversations, or what his stance on the partnership may be.”
