Eminem flips off 49ers fans after Lions’ NFC title game loss
Rapper and Detroit native Eminem was not happy with the outcome of the NFC Championship Game on Sunday, as his beloved Lions fell to the San Francisco 49ers, 31-27, in a thrilling contest at Levi’s Stadium.
The Lions, who had never reached the Super Bowl in their franchise history, came close to pulling off a stunning upset, as they led 27-24 with less than two minutes left in the game. However, 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo engineered a clutch drive, capped by a 12-yard touchdown pass to tight end George Kittle, to put the home team ahead with 36 seconds remaining.
The Lions had one last chance to respond, but quarterback Jared Goff’s pass was intercepted by cornerback Jason Verrett, sealing the win for the 49ers and sending them to their seventh Super Bowl appearance.
Eminem, who was in attendance at the game, was caught on camera giving a two-finger salute to the jubilant 49ers fans, as he expressed his frustration and disappointment with the loss. The gesture quickly went viral on social media, as many fans and celebrities reacted to the rapper’s show of emotion.
Despite the loss, Eminem also showed his support and pride for the Lions, who had a remarkable season under first-year head coach Dan Campbell. The rapper took to Twitter to congratulate the team and thank them for their effort.
“I’m so proud of my Lions. They fought hard and gave us hope. They came so close to making history. Thank you for an amazing season. #OnePride,” Eminem tweeted.
The rapper also praised Campbell, who he called “a great leader and motivator.” He said he was looking forward to seeing the Lions bounce back next season and contend for the Super Bowl.
“Coach Campbell is a great leader and motivator. He has changed the culture and attitude of this team. I can’t wait to see what he does next year. #WeAreNotDone,” Eminem tweeted.
Eminem is one of the most famous and loyal fans of the Lions, as he has often shown his love and support for the team in his songs, interviews, and appearances. He has also performed at several Lions games, including the wild-card playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams on Jan. 14, 2024, where he hyped up the crowd with his hit song “Lose Yourself.”
The rapper has also collaborated with the Lions on various initiatives, such as donating meals to frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, and launching a limited-edition capsule collection of merchandise to celebrate the team’s 90th anniversary.
The Lions finished the regular season with a 10-7 record, earning their first playoff berth since 2016. They upset the Rams, 34-31, in the wild-card round, before falling to the 49ers in the NFC title game.
The 49ers will face the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX on Feb. 11, 2024, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The Chiefs are the defending champions, having defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 31-28, in Super Bowl LVIII.
