In the aftermath of the 2026 Apple Music Super Bowl LX halftime show, a headline-grabbing social-media post from former MLB pitcher John Rocker has reignited debates about culture, sexuality and public entertainment.
The retired hurler, best known for his time with the Atlanta Braves and for past controversial remarks during his playing career, accused headliner Bad Bunny of “trying to turn your kids gay” with elements of the performance – a claim that has drawn both criticism and discussion across sports and cultural news outlets.
The halftime show, performed on February 8, 2026 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, featured the Puerto Rican superstar delivering a largely Spanish-language set that celebrated Latin culture.
It included guest appearances from artists such as Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin, and wove in theatrical moments like an on-stage wedding and culturally inspired visuals.
In an X (formerly Twitter) post – since widely circulated by media – Rocker, a figure already known for previous homophobic controversies during his MLB career, framed parts of the performance as inappropriate for families.
Though the exact wording of Rocker‘s post varied across re-posts and reactions online, the core accusation suggested that seeing “two men” dance closely onstage was tantamount to an attempt to influence children’s sexuality.
Critics of Rocker‘s perspective argue the comment reflects more on his personal views than on the actual content of the show.
Observers note that the routine in question – a brief moment between two male dancers – was a fleeting artistic choice and that the overall set was grounded more in cultural expression than in any explicit messaging about sexuality.
A dancer from the halftime show echoed this more inclusive interpretation, explaining that the moment represented “a community that deserves to be seen” and celebrated pride and visibility rather than promoting any prescriptive agenda.
Conservative backlash and political reaction
Rocker‘s remarks are part of a broader wave of conservative backlash that extended beyond individual social-media posts.
Republican lawmakers such as Tennessee Rep. Andy Ogles called for a congressional investigation into the halftime performance, labeling it “pure smut” and alleging it included “explicit displays of gay sexual acts” – claims that physical evidence from the broadcast did not substantiate.
Ogles‘ letter to the House Energy and Commerce Committee criticized both the choreography and portions of the artist’s song selections, arguing that the NFL and NBCUniversal failed to enforce decency standards equally across English and Spanish content.
Supporters of the halftime show pointed to its eye-opening cultural impact and the record viewership – roughly 128 million viewers, making it one of the most-watched halftime shows in history – as evidence of its broad appeal.
They also noted the celebratory atmosphere, the inclusion of multiple genres and styles of music, and symbolic moments that emphasized unity and community rather than controversy.
Whether Rocker‘s critique changes broader public perception remains unclear, but the conversation around Bad Bunny‘s performance has clearly transcended the usual post-Super Bowl commentary.
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