Maroon 5 received a lot of backlash for agreeing to play this year’s Super Bowl half time show. Even before the band confirmed the performance, a petition urged them to drop from it. Not long after, reports came out that they couldn’t get anyone else to play it with them.

Now, just a couple weeks before the event, the band has defended the decision in an interview.

Around September 2018, when several sources confirmed Maroon 5 would play the half time show. Fans didn’t receive the news well due to the NFL blacklisting of Colin Kaepernick for his on-field protests.

At the time, frontman Adam Levine neither confirmed nor denyied their involvement, but a petition was still launched to get them to drop from it. Not long after, reports revealed they couldn’t get anyone else to play it with them, with Cardi B turning down the performance in support of Kaepernick.

Earlier this week, it was confirmed that Travis Scott and Big Boi would perform with Maroon 5, which also caused controversy.

Maroon 5 defends Super Bowl LIII performance

In an interview with People, Maroon 5’s keyboardist, PJ Morton, discussed their dream to play the half time show and how they are only focusing on the positive.

“There was a lot to go into that decision,” the musician explains.

“I think there are plenty of people—a lot of the players, to be honest—who support Kap and also do their job for the NFL,” Morton tells People. “I think we’re doing the same thing. We can support being against police brutality against black and brown people and be in support of being able to peacefully protest and still do our jobs.”

He continues, talking about the backlash the band’s received.

“You can get bogged down by those things, we’re not focusing on the negative now [while] being aware, being open, and definitely not ignoring the voices,” the keyboardist reveals. “We’re blocking out the noise. We’re just doing what we do. We look to have a good time.”

When asked if the band planned to say something during the show, Morton didn’t have a set answer.

“We’ll see, man,” he says. “I want to make sure we get the show down, and that’s the matter at hand right now.”

Super Bowl LIII will air Feb. 3, 2019 from the Mercedez-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.

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