The National Football League's players have broken their silence on the controversial selection of Bad Bunny for this year's Super Bowl halftime show, revealing a league almost evenly divided on the Puerto Rican rapper's headline performance. The artist, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is set to take the stage at Levi's Stadium in San Francisco this Sunday, becoming the first primarily Spanish-language act to headline the prestigious sporting spectacle.
Player Poll Reveals Narrow Majority Support
According to an exclusive anonymous survey conducted by The Athletic, a slim majority of 58.6 percent of NFL players expressed approval of the league's choice. However, a significant 41.4 percent minority voiced dissatisfaction, citing reasons ranging from unfamiliarity with Bad Bunny's music to a preference for artists more traditionally associated with American football culture.
Voices From the Locker Room
The player responses highlighted the diverse perspectives within professional football. One anonymous NFC offensive player admitted, "I don't even know who that performer is," while suggesting the halftime show should feature American artists exclusively. This comment overlooks Bad Bunny's status as an American citizen from Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory, and the show's history of international performers including Coldplay, Shakira, and Rihanna.
Another player criticised the selection, stating, "I do not like it. I'd prefer anyone who's synonymous with football and football culture. I feel like there's tons of artists out there who are fans of the game."
Supportive Perspectives Emerge
Conversely, several players offered more favourable assessments. An NFC defensive player acknowledged, "I've heard his music obviously, but I don't speak Spanish so I'm not a big fan. But I do think it's cool to have him, because America is based on diversity. America was built on immigration. So I feel like having him just furthers that American dream. I like the choice."
Another athlete noted Bad Bunny's streaming dominance, suggesting his global popularity would boost NFL ratings regardless of personal musical taste.
High-Profile Endorsement From Stefon Diggs
New England Patriots star Stefon Diggs, who is dating rapper Cardi B, publicly endorsed the selection during Super Bowl opening night. "I think Benito is one hell of an artist," Diggs told reporters. "I feel like they picked him for a reason. He's one of the biggest artists in the world. I even listen to the songs and I can barely say the words. I think he was a great choice."
Diggs carefully avoided the political dimensions of the controversy, adding, "I don't really get into politics or religion on camera or on the internet. I keep my personal views to myself because nobody cares about how you feel. There's always going to be someone that disagrees with you."
Political Firestorm and League Response
The NFL's September announcement immediately ignited political controversy, drawing criticism from conservative commentators and MAGA-aligned fans. Former President Donald Trump led the outrage, citing Bad Bunny's past criticisms of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) policies as reason enough to boycott the event.
The controversy intensified when Bad Bunny used his Grammy Awards acceptance speech last Sunday to declare "ICE Out," receiving substantial applause before elaborating, "We are not savage. We are not animals. We are not aliens. We are humans, and we are Americans."
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell addressed the situation during his annual Super Bowl week press conference, describing Bad Bunny as "one of the greatest artists in the world" while emphasising the halftime show's unifying purpose. "He understood the platform he was on," Goodell stated. "This platform is used to unite people and to be able to bring people together with their creativity, with their talent."
Historical Context and Cultural Significance
Bad Bunny's selection represents a milestone for Latin music in American mainstream entertainment, following his record-breaking streaming numbers and three Grammy wins including Album of the Year. His performance continues the Super Bowl's tradition of featuring international artists, challenging notions of what constitutes "American" entertainment in an increasingly diverse cultural landscape.
The player reactions reflect broader societal divisions, with the NFL locker room mirroring the national debate about immigration, cultural representation, and the politicisation of entertainment platforms. As Sunday's performance approaches, all eyes will be on whether Bad Bunny's show can transcend the controversy that has surrounded his selection.
