Amy Schumer slams white players for failing to participate in anthem protests, refuses to do Super Bowl commercial
“I personally told my reps I wouldn’t do a Super Bowl commercial this year,” Amy Schumer wrote on Instagram Friday, noting her privilege.
Amy Schumer has added her voice to the chorus backing athlete turned activist Colin Kaepernick and NFL players kneeling during the national anthem in protest of racial and social injustice in America.
The comedian, who has come under fire in the past for perpetuating a racist lie, made the surprising announcement on social media that she would turn down offers to appear in Super Bowl ads next year because it’s the only way she knows how to hit back at the National Football League.
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https://twitter.com/amyschumer/status/1053440694000467968
“I personally told my reps I wouldn’t do a Super Bowl commercial this year,” Schumer wrote on Instagram Friday. “I know it must sound like a privilege-ass sacrifice, but it’s all I got. Hitting the NFL with the advertisers is the only way to really hurt them.”
The I Feel Pretty star began her lengthy statement by asking “why more white players aren’t kneeling.”
“Once you witness the truly deep inequality and endless racism people of color face in our country, not to mention the police brutality and murders. Why not kneel next to your brothers? Otherwise how are you not complicit?” she wrote.
She cited those reasons as for why she wouldn’t be accepting offers to appear in some of the most watched (and most expensive) ads of the year.
Schumer went on to note how “cool” it would be if rumored Super Bowl halftime performer Maroon 5 backed out of the show, as Rihanna reportedly did. Us Weekly reported that Bajan beauty declined the offer because she “supports Colin Kaepernick.”
“The NFL and CBS really wanted Rihanna to be next year’s performer in Atlanta,” a source told Us Weekly. “They offered it to her, but she said no because of the kneeling controversy. She doesn’t agree with the NFL’s stance.”
The former San Francisco 49er hasn’t played a game in the NFL since the end of 2016 season; when began kneeling to protest police brutality against people of color.
Schumer tagged Kaepernick in her post and said: “I know opposing the NFL is like opposing the NRA. Very tough, but don’t you want to be proud of how you’re living?”
Adding, she continued, “And the hottest thing a guy can do is get down on one knee. Not to propose but to reject the treatment of his teammates by this country.”
Schumer suggested that “anyone who says” kneeling is “disrespectful to our military” should “read up” on all the veterans support Kaepernick and his political stance.
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