Jay-Z is experiencing an NFL state of mind after he expanded his empire by announcing a multiyear partnership withe NFL. The erstwhile Shawn Carter will help “enhance the NFL’s live game experiences” and assist the league promoting social justice.
“With its global reach, the National Football League has the platform and opportunity to inspire change across the country,” Jay-Zr said. “Roc Nation has shown that entertainment and enacting change are not mutually exclusive ideas, instead, we unify them. This partnership is an opportunity to strengthen the fabric of communities across America.”
JAY-Z will become the NFL's "live music entertainment strategist" and will consult on the Super Bowl halftime show.
Here's everything we know about the Roc Nation x NFL deal: https://t.co/VwVdwwAiEj pic.twitter.com/S8Eiid2ogv
— Complex (@Complex) August 13, 2019
The NFL’s “social justice” message has taken a few self-inflicted hits of late. There was the Colin Kaepernick collusion case, where the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback alleged the NFL was colluding to keep him out of the league due to his protests against state and police sanctioned violence in minority communities. The NFL settled the dispute with Kaepernick for an undisclosed sum that likely contained plenty of zeroes.
Then, of course, there was Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross taking heat for hosting a fundraiser for Donald Trump.
Jay-Z once rapped: "I said no to the Super Bowl, you need me, I don't need you."
Now the hip-hop icon is the face of a new Roc Nation partnership with the NFL that effectively positions him as the face of the league's social justice initiative. https://t.co/gCod5ZPeCm
— Andrew Beaton (@andrewlbeaton) August 13, 2019
Needless to say, the NFL needed to do something to mitigate some of the stink.
“Roc Nation is one of the most globally influential and impactful organizations in entertainment,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said. “The NFL and Roc Nation share a vision of inspiring meaningful social change across our country. We are thrilled to partner with Roc Nation and look forward to making a difference in our communities together.”
Broncos no longer doing rookie haricuts
Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio has laid down the law in Denver. First, he stopped playing music at practice and now he’s ended a team tradition of rookie hazing, specifically veterans can no longer give first-year players freakish haircuts.
“I just don’t think it’s right,” Fangio told reporters. “I just don’t believe in hazing.There are traditions that stay put. Guys are getting up in front of the team and doing a little skit every night. Maybe a rookie’s carrying somebody’s pads off the field and so on, or bringing in the doughnuts or the breakfast. But nothing physical.”
Vic Fangio explains why #Broncos discontinued 'rookie haircuts' hazing tradition (via @ChadNJensen)https://t.co/wioRXxAA6u pic.twitter.com/KIVQvhwMGT
— Mile High Huddle (@MileHighHuddle) August 13, 2019
While the haircuts are relatively innocent, hazing has been deadly in other levels of sports. It’s a good move from Fangio and the rest of the league should follow suit.
