A new poll showed that NFL players are nearly split down the middle when it comes to Bad Bunny’s upcoming Super Bowl halftime show performance.
In a survey released by The Athletic on Monday, February 2, 41.4 percent of players said they did not “like” the rapper, 31, being chosen as halftime performer.
“I don’t even know who Bad Bunny is,” an anonymous offensive NFC player said. “I always think it should be an American. I think they’re trying too hard with this international stuff.”
Bad Bunny — who won Album of the Year at the 2026 Grammy Awards on Sunday, February 1 — is from Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States.
Another anonymous NFC offensive player said he’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.”
“I think there are better examples of character and morality than Bad Bunny,” an AFC offensive player said.
The Athletic spoke to 58 players for the poll, with 58.6 percent of players in favor of Bad Bunny’s selection.
“I’ve heard his music obviously, but I don’t speak Spanish so I’m not a big fan,” an NFC defensive player said. “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 it. I like the choice.”
One NFC offensive player admitted he had “never listened” to Bad Bunny’s music, but acknowledged it was a smart business decision for the NFL.
“I saw on the year-end data he’s the global leader in music streams; it makes sense wanting to make this a global performance,” the player said. “Good for ratings.”
Another NFC offensive player said “Heck yeah. It’s going to be a good time. The girls like Bad Bunny, so of course, we’re going to like it.”
The Athletic also polled a group of 76 current NFL players about their dream halftime show performer, with Michael Jackson leading the way with 13 votes. Jackson died in 2009.
The NFL’s decision to have Bad Bunny perform at the Super Bowl has proven divisive, with even the President of the United States weighing in on the matter.
“I’ve never heard of him,” President Donald Trump said during an interview with Newsmax in October 2025. “I don’t know who he is. I don’t know why they’re doing it. It’s, like, crazy.”
Trump, 69, called the choice “absolutely ridiculous.”
The president doubled down during an interview with the New York Post last month. Trump lumped together Bad Bunny and Green Day, who will be performing at the Super Bowl’s opening ceremony from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
“I’m anti-them,” Trump said. “I think it’s a terrible choice. All it does is sow hatred. Terrible.”
The president told the Post he will not be in attendance at Super Bowl 60 between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, February 8, because the game is “just too far away.”
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