Irv Gotti says the NFL has made Jay-Z a "pawn"

Irv Gotti, Jay-Z's longtime associate, told Page Six that the rapper appeared to be "used as a pawn" by the NFL.

The rapper "Empire State of Mind" shocked fans last week by signing an agreement with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to join his "social justice campaign" – after supporting Colin Kaepernick in his fight against the League for his kneeling events. And Gotti – who called Jay "my brother" and was reluctant to talk about the issue until we pushed him – said it seemed like Goodell could use Jay to rehabilitate the league's image. following the debacle of Kaepernick.

While hoping the hip-hop idol plans to improve the league from the inside, Gotti told Page Six: "To sit and watch Jay talk [at their recent, widely publicized meeting] While Roger Goodell is sitting quietly, it looks like Jay was made and manipulated by Jay as in front and face of the bull, knowing that Jay is so powerful that it can make people forget [Kaepernick and others] kneeling."

Gotti called it a "brilliant move for the NFL" and added, "If it was a great plan, you would simply use Hov for a gene plan and make it look like a pawn in this whole f-king business. " he is ready to see how that goes before making a final judgment on it.

Gotti's "Growing Up Hip Hop: New York" will premiere on August 29 on WE tv.