Justin Timberlake is just days away from taking the stage at halftime of the Super Bowl, and he just joined the so-called “war on football” during his Super Bowl halftime press conference. I’m sure the NFL is pleased by that development.
Timberlake caused a bit of a stir when he answered a question form the media about the possibility of one day allowing his two-year old son to play football. As many notable people have over the last couple of years, including other pro athletes, Timberlake said his son will not be allowed to play the sport of football.
“Uh, he will never play football,” Timberlake said on Thursday. “No, no.”
As many before Timberlake have noted, the increasing awareness about the long-term effects playing football can have on the human body, specifically to the brain, has become more and more alarming. The dangers of playing football have been so heightened that not only are youth football leagues rewriting the rules of the game, but some parents are preventing their kids from playing the sport entirely. Add Timberlake and wife Jessica Biel to that list of parents just saying no to football.
“I mean, yeah, it’s kind of like that thing where my main objective is that he become a great person. And if he wants to get into the arts or sports, then yeah, I would fully support that,” Timberlake said following up his initial response. “I think I can hopefully offer him some advice on what to do and what not to do, so yeah, but right now we’re working on our manners. That’s a big deal in our house right now. It’s like, one thing at a time.”
The takes, they are hot.
If Justin Timberlake won't let his son play football then he shouldn't perform at halftime. Case. Closed. #SuperBowl
— John Hayes (@JohnHayes730) February 1, 2018
Can we forget #JustinTimberlake? Why are we trying to make him relevant? Is this 2002? Where’s Britney? JT should be nowhere near football. But no real artist wants to perform. Why don’t we just get an even whiter artist again like cold play? #SuperBowl
— Garrett Fross (@garrettfross) February 1, 2018
Sad to hear Justin Timberlake say he’d never let his son play football…the offspring of a 5’10” 160lb song & dance man has all the makings for an All-Pro linebacker.
— Joe Praino (@FixYourLife) February 1, 2018
The good news is Timberlake’s son is just two years old, so there is still some time to worry about whether or not he will be playing football. While Timberlake’s son may never play in the Super Bowl, he can still follow in his dad’s footsteps and one day perform halftime of the big game. So he’s got that going for him.
[ESPN]