4t “If Bad Bunny is a bad fit for the Super Bowl, then maybe the people making these comments are a bad fit for America’s future.” — Jason Kelce
The announcement of Bad Bunny as the headliner for the Super Bowl LX halftime show on February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium has sparked a cultural firestorm, with fans petitioning to replace the Puerto Rican reggaeton star with country legend George Strait. Amid this uproar, former NFL star and podcast host Jason Kelce delivered a pointed rebuke to critics, stating, “If Bad Bunny is a bad fit for the Super Bowl, then maybe the people making these comments are a bad fit for America’s future.” His comment, aired on the October 13, 2025, episode of New Heights, the podcast he co-hosts with brother Travis Kelce, has fueled a heated debate about inclusivity, American identity, and the role of the Super Bowl as a cultural touchstone.
Kelce’s defense of Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, comes as the Change.org petition “Replace Bad Bunny with George Strait” nears 2,000 signatures, arguing the 31-year-old’s “divisive” persona—marked by political activism and boundary-pushing performances—clashes with the NFL’s family-friendly ethos. Critics cite Bad Bunny’s criticism of Donald Trump and his decision to skip U.S. tour stops as evidence of a mismatch for the all-American stage. Kelce, however, sees this backlash as shortsighted, arguing that Bad Bunny’s global appeal—boasting over 40 billion Spotify streams—and his Latin roots reflect the diverse future of America. “The Super Bowl isn’t just for one crowd,” Kelce said. “It’s for everyone—kids, families, immigrants, lifelong fans. Bad Bunny’s music crosses borders. If you can’t handle that, you’re stuck in the past.”
The controversy highlights a broader cultural divide. Supporters of the petition, amplified by voices on X like @TaraBull808, argue for George Strait’s “traditional” country values, with one user stating, “George Strait is America—Bad Bunny isn’t.” Strait, 73, represents a heartland ideal with his 60 No. 1 hits and Kennedy Center Honor, appealing to fans who feel the NFL has drifted from its roots. Yet, Bad Bunny’s selection, backed by Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, aligns with the NFL’s push for inclusivity, following acts like Shakira and J.Lo in 2020. His high-energy performances and bilingual hits like “Mía” promise a spectacle that resonates with younger, diverse audiences.
Kelce’s stance has drawn both praise and pushback. On X, supporters rallied with comments like, “Jason gets it—America’s changing, and so is the Super Bowl.” Critics, however, accused him of pandering, with one post reading, “Kelce’s out of touch—fans want music they can relate to, not politics.” The debate echoes past controversies, like the 2019 petition for a Maroon 5 replacement, which garnered 75,000 signatures but failed to sway the NFL.
As the NFL stands firm, citing Bad Bunny’s “electrifying global impact,” Kelce’s words challenge fans to embrace a broader vision of America. The Super Bowl halftime show, watched by over 100 million, has long been a cultural mirror—from Michael Jackson’s 1993 performance to Beyoncé’s 2016 statement. Bad Bunny, with his unapologetic style, may redefine that mirror, but only if fans heed Kelce’s call to evolve. As one X user put it, “Kelce’s right—America’s future isn’t just cowboy hats; it’s also reggaeton beats.” With the game months away, this clash of sounds and values underscores a nation at a crossroads, where the stage is as much about unity as it is about division.
