SD. Lee Greenwood speaks out about being suggested to replace Bad Bunny for Super Bowl halftime show
🎤 “God Bless the USA” Meets the Super Bowl? Lee Greenwood Says He’s Ready to Replace Bad Bunny at the Halftime Show
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Country legend Lee Greenwood is throwing his cowboy hat into one of the biggest debates in American entertainment — who should headline the 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show.
In a statement to The New York Post, the 82-year-old Grammy winner enthusiastically agreed with House Speaker Mike Johnson’s suggestion that he — not Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny — should take the stage at America’s most-watched event.
“I agree with Speaker Johnson. I would make a great performer for any Super Bowl show,” Greenwood said. “I perform for various NFL teams every year, especially during their Salute to Service games.”
The “God Bless the USA” singer added that he’s already lined up to perform during halftime for the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football, Nov. 3, and hinted he’d be thrilled to bring his patriotic anthem to an even bigger audience.
“Maybe the NFL will have me perform this year at the Super Bowl prior to the game — to have a stadium full of football fans singing ‘God Bless the USA’ to kick off the game!”
🏈 The Political Firestorm
The controversy ignited earlier this week when Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) publicly criticized the NFL’s decision to select Bad Bunny as the 2026 halftime headliner.
“I didn’t even know who Bad Bunny was,” Johnson told reporters on Capitol Hill. “It sounds like a terrible decision, from what I’m hearing. He’s not someone who appeals to a broader audience — and there are so many eyes on the Super Bowl, especially from young and impressionable children.”
Johnson went on to say that he would prefer “role models” like Greenwood leading the show instead.
“In my view, you would have Lee Greenwood or role models doing that — not somebody like this,” he added.
The remarks quickly went viral, sparking heated debates online about culture, music, and patriotism — and Greenwood wasted no time embracing the challenge.
🇺🇸 Greenwood’s Patriotic Credentials
Few artists in country music are more closely tied to America’s patriotic spirit than Lee Greenwood. His 1984 anthem “God Bless the USA” remains a cultural touchstone — performed at presidential inaugurations, military tributes, and national ceremonies.
Most recently, Greenwood performed at Charlie Kirk’s memorial service in September and Donald Trump’s 2025 inauguration earlier this year. The former president, who appointed Greenwood to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts board, echoed Johnson’s criticism of the NFL’s choice.
“I never heard of him,” Trump said on Newsmax’s Greg Kelly Reports. “I don’t know who he is, I don’t know why they’re doing it — it’s crazy. This guy does not seem like a unifying entertainer, and a lot of folks don’t even know who he is.”
🎶 Bad Bunny Fires Back
Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, responded indirectly to the controversy while hosting the Season 51 premiere of Saturday Night Live. During his monologue, he joked about critics who can’t understand Spanish:
“If you didn’t understand what I just said… you have four months to learn,” he quipped.
In a separate statement, the global megastar described the Super Bowl invitation as a “moment that goes beyond myself.”
“It’s for those who came before me and ran countless yards so I could come in and score a touchdown… this is for my people, my culture, and our history,” he said.
Bad Bunny, who is among the most-streamed artists in the world, has faced political pushback before — including criticism for comments about immigration and law enforcement.
🎤 Two Americas, One Stage
The debate over the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show has become more than a musical conversation — it’s a flashpoint in America’s broader cultural divide.
For conservatives, Greenwood represents faith, unity, and patriotism — a traditional reflection of the values they believe the NFL should highlight. For others, Bad Bunny symbolizes modern diversity, global influence, and cultural progress.
Political commentators note that this year’s halftime decision — typically focused on entertainment — has become a referendum on what “American music” means in 2026.
🌟 What’s Next
Greenwood says he’s “ready and willing” if the NFL calls.
“Football is one of America’s most watched sports,” he said. “And I’m always thrilled to perform the anthem or ‘God Bless the USA’ during the games. It brings people together — that’s what music should do.”
The NFL has not commented on Speaker Johnson’s or Greenwood’s remarks. Bad Bunny remains scheduled to perform on February 8, 2026, but insiders say public pressure could force the league to “revisit the optics” of the show.
As one Nashville radio host summed it up:
“This isn’t just about music anymore. It’s about what version of America the world sees on Super Bowl Sunday.”
👉 Do you want to see Lee Greenwood at the Super Bowl? Share your thoughts below!
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