Singer Justin Timberlake created an awkward moment this week during a promotional event for the Super Bowl by saying his son will “never” play football.
The artist behind “Man of the Woods” will entertain millions for Super Bowl LII on Feb. 4, but he says his son will never hit the gridiron. This year’s halftime-show star made the admission Thursday while promoting the National Football League’s championship game in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
“[Will you] support it if [your son Silas] wanted to run some routes and get in the NFL,” a reporter asked, ABC News reported.
“Uh, he will never play football. No, no,” the singer responded.
Mr. Timberlake then tried to restate his original answer, which alluded to the league’s ongoing debate surrounding chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a disease linked to repeated instances of head trauma.
“I mean, yeah, it’s kind of like that thing where my main objective is that he become a great person,” he said. “And if he wants to get into the arts or sports, then yeah, I would fully support that. 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 singer’s last appearance at big game was 2004’s Super Bowl XXXVIII during the infamous “nipplegate” fiasco with Janet Jackson. He will be joined on Sunday with his band, The Tennessee Kids.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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