With Super Bowl LX less than a week away, the NFL has found itself in the center of an unexpected cultural debate, not about quarterbacks or defensive schemes, but about the choice of entertainer for the Apple Music Halftime Show.
Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny is set to headline the performance on February 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, a historic moment as he becomes the first solo male Latin artist to do so.
Yet not everyone in the league is thrilled. In a survey distributed among players, published by The Athletic, an anonymous NFC offensive player delivered pointed criticism of the decision, questioning both the performer’s relevance and what he described as the NFL’s push toward international appeal.
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According to the report, the player said, “I don’t even know who Bad Bunny is. I always think it should be an American. I think they’re trying too hard with this international stuff.”
That remark reflects one of the clearest flashpoints in reaction to the halftime choice: confusion or unfamiliarity with Bad Bunny‘s music and ignorance about countries that give their citizens statutory American citizenship.
Bad Bunny was born in Puerto Rico, which is a territory of the United States, and he holds American citizenship.
Some critics have also said the halftime show should “feel more tied to football culture,” with one anonymous player suggesting there are “tons of artists out there who are fans of the game.”
Bad Bunny arrives on the Super Bowl stage coming off a career-defining night at the 2026 Grammy Awards, where his album Debí Tirar Más Fotos won Album of the Year, the first Spanish-language album to achieve that honor, along with multiple other awards.
His Grammy acceptance sparked a conversation about language, cultural identity, and the reach of music across borders.
Amid that success, Bad Bunny used his visibility at the Grammys to make a political statement, criticizing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for its enforcement actions against immigrant communities.
In the days following his remarks, the NFL and league partners reiterated support for the halftime slot while emphasizing unity and cultural celebration over political messaging.
Mixed receptions and impact on NFL culture
Beyond the anonymous player’s critique, players’ opinions appear divided. A league-wide survey indicated about 58.6 % of respondents support the NFL’s choice, while roughly 41.4 % oppose it, signaling a substantial minority of players are uneasy with the selection.
Many of those opposed cited unfamiliarity with Bad Bunny‘s work or a desire for performers with more obvious ties to football culture.
Other voices within the league have expressed enthusiasm for the halftime show’s potential to broaden the NFL’s cultural footprint.
Supporters point to Bad Bunny‘s global reach and appeal to younger, multilingual audiences, a strategic plus for a league increasingly focused on international growth.
That international dimension has been part of the NFL’s strategy in recent seasons: the league has staged a record number of regular-season games overseas and leaned into diverse markets at home.
Booking a headliner with massive global streaming numbers and cross-border appeal dovetails with that effort.
Yet the Super Bowl’s cultural significance means these decisions often carry political and social weight beyond the stadium.
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