In the aftermath of Super Bowl LX, held on February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, the event that was supposed to celebrate the pinnacle of American sports and entertainment instead became a lightning rod for cultural and political division. The matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots delivered a decisive victory for the Seahawks, who dominated defensively and cruised to a 29-13 win. Yet, the on-field action quickly faded into the background as conversations shifted to the Apple Music Halftime Show headlined by Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny.
Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, delivered a groundbreaking performance—the first Super Bowl halftime show conducted almost entirely in Spanish. Over the course of roughly 13 minutes, he performed a high-energy set featuring hits from his discography, blending reggaeton rhythms, Latin trap beats, and vibrant choreography. Dancers filled the stage, pyrotechnics lit up the night, and the production emphasized cultural pride with elements like colorful visuals representing Latin American heritage.
At the conclusion, Bad Bunny held up a football inscribed with the message “Together We Are America,” a phrase he uttered as part of a closing statement promoting unity across borders and languages.
The performance drew an impressive average of 128.2 million U.S. viewers during its slot, ranking it as the fourth-most-watched halftime show in history according to Nielsen data. It fell just short of recent benchmarks set by artists like Kendrick Lamar in 2025 and Usher in 2024, but it still underscored Bad Bunny’s global appeal and the NFL’s ongoing push to expand its audience beyond traditional demographics.
For many, the show represented a bold step forward in recognizing the growing influence of Latino culture in the United States, where Spanish is the second most spoken language and Hispanic Americans form a significant and expanding portion of the population.
However, the reception was far from unanimous. Pre-game speculation had already fueled controversy when the NFL announced Bad Bunny as the headliner months earlier. Conservative commentators, including former President Donald Trump, criticized the choice, with Trump opting not to attend the game and later posting sharp rebukes on social media platforms. He described the performance as incomprehensible to many viewers and inappropriate for family audiences, echoing sentiments from others who argued that an English-language act would better suit the Super Bowl’s broad appeal.
Some viewers switched to alternative programming, such as Turning Point USA’s “All-American Halftime Show,” which featured Kid Rock and other country artists and reportedly attracted millions on YouTube and other platforms.
In the stadium itself, reactions varied. While the crowd at Levi’s Stadium—many of whom were enthusiastic about the cultural moment—danced and cheered along, pockets of discontent surfaced. Social media clips captured instances of audible boos during certain segments, particularly from groups who felt the Spanish-language focus alienated them. Post-game accounts from attendees highlighted a mix of appreciation and frustration. One Seahawks fan interviewed after the event praised the show for its relevance amid ongoing debates about immigration and ICE policies, seeing it as a powerful statement of inclusion. Others, however, expressed disappointment, claiming the performance prioritized spectacle over broad accessibility.
Amid this polarized atmosphere, reports surfaced of Bad Bunny making pointed comments in the days following the game. According to circulating accounts—primarily from social media posts and viral clips—he declared that he would never attend another Seahawks football game. The statement stemmed from what he described as an overwhelming wave of hostility and boos directed at him from Seahawks fans during and after the halftime show. These fans, whose team had just claimed the Lombardi Trophy, reportedly reacted negatively to elements of the performance, including its political undertones and linguistic choices.
Bad Bunny’s frustration extended beyond the boos; he reportedly made an additional remark that further inflamed tensions, though details of the exact phrasing remain debated across sources. Some interpreted it as a direct critique of the fanbase’s reception, while others saw it as a broader commentary on cultural intolerance.
The declaration quickly spread online, amplified by clickbait headlines and shareable graphics. Posts on platforms like Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) framed it dramatically: “SH0CKING: Bad Bunny Announces He Will Never Attend Another Football Game After Super Bowl LX Backlash #Seahawks #GoHawks.” While no official press release from Bad Bunny’s team confirmed the exact wording, the sentiment aligned with his history of addressing criticism head-on, often through social media or public statements. Bad Bunny has long used his platform to advocate for issues like Puerto Rican sovereignty, immigrant rights, and cultural representation, making any perceived slight feel personal.
For Seahawks supporters, the comments landed like a post-victory insult. Many fans, still riding high from their team’s triumph, viewed the remarks as ungrateful or out of touch. Online forums and comment sections erupted with responses ranging from defensive pride—”We booed because it wasn’t football-appropriate”—to outright anger—”He comes to our Super Bowl and then trashes us?” The backlash highlighted a deeper rift: while the NFL celebrated diversity and global reach, a segment of its core audience felt sidelined by choices that prioritized inclusivity over tradition.
Broader context reveals why the halftime show became such a flashpoint. The 2026 Super Bowl occurred against a backdrop of heightened political tension around immigration, cultural identity, and media representation. Trump’s earlier criticisms set the tone, and the alternative halftime counterprogramming underscored a deliberate effort to offer a contrasting vision of “American” entertainment. Yet, players from both teams offered more muted or positive takes. Seahawks defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, when asked about the show, emphasized its significance for Spanish-speaking communities, suggesting that its value transcended language barriers for many.
In the end, Super Bowl LX will be remembered less for the Seahawks’ defensive masterclass or the Patriots’ struggles than for this cultural collision. Bad Bunny’s performance, with its unapologetic embrace of Latin identity, challenged assumptions about what a Super Bowl halftime show “should” be. His subsequent statements about avoiding future Seahawks games—and the enraged response they provoked—serve as a microcosm of larger societal debates. In an era where entertainment and politics increasingly intertwine, even a celebration of sport cannot escape the forces pulling America apart.
The NFL, for its part, stood by the decision, with spokespeople noting the show’s strong viewership and cultural impact. Bad Bunny, ever the provocateur, moved on to other projects, his fanbase rallying around him while detractors continued to decry what they saw as division. Whether this episode marks a turning point for halftime shows or simply another chapter in ongoing culture wars remains to be seen. One thing is clear: the echoes of those boos—and the words that followed—will linger long after the confetti settled in Santa Clara.
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