EMINEM defied NFL bosses' warnings by taking the knee during the Super Bowl half-time show.

The American rapper, 49, performed during the interval of the showpiece in California between the LA Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals.

It was a typically star-studded Super Bowl line-up with Dr Dre headlining the show and supported by Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, Mary J Blige and an upside-down 50 Cent.

And in a powerful moment at the end of his hit song Lose Yourself, Eminem took the knee with his head in his hands in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

His stance, which he held for around 50 seconds, highlighted the ongoing racism and discrimination that continues in the United States and around the world.

It was reported the NFL warned the collection of iconic artists against making any gestures.

However, they later denied this as spokesman Brian McCarthy said: “We watched all elements of the show during multiple rehearsals this week and were aware that Eminem was going to do that."

And fans on Twitter praised the Missouri star for his brave move.

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One said: "Eminem kneels after NFL asked him not to. Don’t tell a goat how to behave."

Another wrote: "Eminem said before the game that he wanted to take a knee during the halftime show to honour Colin Kaepernick. The NFL said no. He did it anyway. Good for him."

And a third added: "Eminem defies NFL and kneels in solidarity with Colin Kaepernick during Super Bowl halftime show. Good on you, Eminem."

Former NFL star Colin Kaepernick essentially lost his career in the sport after taking the knee during the national anthem in 2016.

At the time, he said: "I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of colour.

"To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way

"There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder."

GLOBAL EXPOSURE

The move was followed by many of his fellow NFL players and spread across the sporting world – with Premier League footballers, F1 drivers and boxers regularly taking the knee before events.

Amid the backlash and protests of George Floyd's murder by a US police officer in 2020, the NFL accepted their mistakes in dealing with racism.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said: “We, the National Football League, admit we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier and encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest.

"We, the National Football League, believe black lives matter.”

On the pitch, the Rams beat the Bengals 23-20 with Cooper Kupp securing the decisive touchdown late on to complete the comeback at SoFi Stadium.

But star Van Jefferson had to leave the celebrations early – because his wife had gone into labour at the stadium.

Samaria was reportedly spotted leaving on a stretcher and Jefferson later posted a photo cradling his second child.

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