The stage is set for Super Bowl LX, but the spotlight is already burning bright with controversy months before kickoff. The NFL’s September 2025 announcement that Bad Bunny, the Puerto Rican global superstar, would headline the halftime show at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, ignited a fierce debate that has spilled from sports columns into the halls of Congress and the heart of American pop culture.
At the center of this storm is Lee Greenwood, the 82-year-old country singer best known for his patriotic anthem “God Bless the U.S.A.” On October 8, 2025, Greenwood told TMZ he agreed with House Speaker Mike Johnson’s call to swap Bad Bunny for himself at the Super Bowl. “I am always thrilled to perform the anthem or ‘God Bless The U.S.A.’ during the games,” Greenwood said, highlighting his long record of singing at NFL events, particularly during Salute to Service games that honor the military. He’s even set to perform for the Dallas Cowboys on November 3, 2025, during Monday Night Football—a testament, he believes, to his enduring connection with football fans.
Greenwood’s enthusiasm for the Super Bowl stage is clear. “Nothing compares to hearing God Bless the USA echo through a football stadium—thousands of proud Americans standing shoulder to shoulder, singing every word,” he wrote on X late on October 8. He’s publicly floated the idea of performing the national anthem or his signature hit before Bad Bunny takes the field, hoping to “get the crowd going” and set a unifying tone for the event.
The proposal didn’t spring from nowhere. On October 7, 2025, House Speaker Mike Johnson criticized the NFL’s choice, telling Migrant Insider, “It sounds like he’s not someone who appeals to a broader audience. There are so many eyes on the Super Bowl, a lot of young, impressionable children. In my view, you would have Lee Greenwood or role models doing something like that. Not somebody like this.” Johnson’s remarks, echoed by other conservative figures, cast Bad Bunny as an unsuitable figure for the halftime spotlight, suggesting instead a performer who, in their view, better represents American values and unity.
The debate quickly escalated beyond football. President Donald Trump weighed in, calling the decision to select Bad Bunny “absolutely ridiculous” and “crazy.” Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene took to social media, posting, “Bad Bunny says America has 4 months to learn Spanish before his perverse unwanted performance at the Super Bowl halftime. It would be a good time to pass my bill to make English the official language of America. And the NFL needs to stop having demonic sexual performances during its halftime shows.”
Yet, not all voices in the public sphere are singing from the same hymn sheet. Jennifer Lopez, a previous Super Bowl halftime headliner herself, told the Today Show, “He puts on a great show. He’s a great entertainer. I’m super excited for people to see him who think that, because I think they’ll be pleasantly surprised because his music transcends language. It’s amazing what he’s done.” NASCAR great Danica Patrick also weighed in, tweeting on October 6 that Bad Bunny should “not be allowed” to take on the role, but then clarified, “He’s one of the top artists in the world right now. … I’m super excited for people to see him.”
Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, hasn’t shied away from the controversy. Just days before October 9, he addressed the criticism with humor during his ‘Saturday Night Live’ monologue, joking, “I think everybody’s happy about it. Even Fox News!” According to Newsweek, the singer’s selection has become a flashpoint in ongoing discussions about cultural representation, identity, and the role of politics in popular entertainment—especially in an event as widely watched as the Super Bowl.
For his part, Greenwood has tried to strike a conciliatory note. While he’s flattered by Johnson’s suggestion and happy to be considered, he insists he has “no problem with Bad Bunny” and is not seeking to “push anyone out of the show.” Greenwood’s representative emphasized to TMZ that his concern is less about who headlines and more about how divided the country has become. “Sports and music should bring fans together, not spark arguments,” Greenwood explained, adding that he’d be happy to perform in a pregame segment if the NFL wanted, even if Bad Bunny remains the headliner.
The controversy has exposed deep divides about what the Super Bowl halftime show should represent. For some, like Johnson and Trump, it’s about upholding tradition, patriotism, and what they see as mainstream American values. They argue that a performer like Greenwood, who has sung for military audiences and at political rallies—including those for President Trump—would set the right tone. For others, the choice of Bad Bunny is a celebration of the changing face of America, a nod to the nation’s growing Latino population and the global reach of Latin music. Supporters point to his record-breaking albums and sold-out tours as proof that he’s not just a star, but a cultural phenomenon.
The NFL, for its part, has not publicly responded to the calls for a change. With the Super Bowl halftime show scheduled for February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium, organizers are likely watching the debate closely. The event is expected to draw ongoing discussions about cultural representation and the NFL’s future direction in artist selection for high-profile events.
As for Lee Greenwood, he’s keeping his focus on music and football, not political squabbles. “It is about passion for music and love for football,” he told TMZ. “I’m ready if the NFL ever calls, but I’m also happy just knowing fans still want to hear my songs at big games.” In a country often divided by politics and culture, Greenwood’s hope is that the Super Bowl—like his music—can still bring people together, even if just for a few minutes on a Sunday night.
