Jay-Z and the NFL: Irv Gotti, DJ Khaled and more react to ‘social justice’ deal

Hip-hop mogul has received a backlash after striking a deal to support the league's campaign, after previously expressing solidarity with former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick

Celebrities and associates of Jay-Z are weighing in on the hip-hop mogul’s controversial decision to strike a deal with the NFL.

Last week, the rapper revealed an unexpected collaboration to “amplify social justice” with commissioner Roger Goodell. The fact that it would not involve Colin Kaepernick, the San Francisco 49ers quarterback who spearheaded the “take a knee” protests during NFL games, is a leading factor in the controversy.

During a press conference, Jay-Z claimed people had “passed kneeling” and that it was instead “time to go into actionable items”. However, the campaign is being dubbed by many as a publicity stunt to salvage the league’s reputation, and a lucrative deal for Jay-Z that is more about money than social justice.

Longtime Jay-Z associate Irv Gotti is among the many to express cynicism over the star’s controversial decision, suggesting that he is being “used” in order to rehabilitate the league’s image.

He told Page Six: “To sit there and watch Jay talk while Roger Goodell is sitting there quiet, it almost looks like the NFL manufactured and manipulated Jay to be the front and face of the bulls**t, knowing Jay is so powerful that he can make people forget about [Kaepernick and others] kneeling.”

He added that it was “a brilliant move for the NFL”, suggesting: “If it was a masterminded plan, then you just used Hov [Jay-Z] for a masterminded plan and made him look like a pawn in this whole f***ing thing.”

Other celebrities have weighed in with mixed opinions on the matter.

Cardi B has claimed that she believes there will be a positive outcome to the deal. “I feel like [Jay] didn’t [go] on an NFL deal without an agreement,” she told TMZ.

“I feel like he went in there like, ‘All right, if you guys want me to work with y’all, y’all need to put my people in here. Y’all need to do things my way.’ I feel like he’s gonna change it.”

DJ Khaled told TMZ that the deal demonstrated Jay-Z “showing love, and always uplifting the people, and always moving the culture forward”.

Rapper Killer Mike expressed support during an appearance on Bill Maher’s US talk show. “JAY-Z’s play, I believe, not only gives us a seat at the table... it doesn’t destroy what Kap knelt for.”

Kaepernick’s former teammate Eric Reid, who has continued to take a knee when the US national anthem is played at NFL games, condemned Jay-Z and also responded to rumours that the hip-hop mogul may financially invest in the NFL.

“Jay-Z claimed to be a supporter of Colin, wore his jersey, told people not to perform at the Super Bowl because of [what] the NFL did to Colin,” Reid told reporters last week. “Now he’s going to be a part owner, that’s kind of despicable.”

In a tweet, he added: “Jay-Z knowingly made a money move with the very people who’ve committed an injustice against Colin and is using social justice to smooth it over with the black community.”

Kaepernick himself has yet to weigh in on the deal, but did tweet an ambiguous thanks to fellow players who continue to take a knee in protest.

“My Brothers… continue to fight for the people, even in the face of death threats,” he wrote on Twitter. “They have never moved past the people and continue to put their beliefs into action. Stay strong Brothers!!!”