Petition to replace Bad Bunny for George Strait at Super Bowl halftime tops 100K signatures

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA: Calls for the NFL to replace Bad Bunny as the headliner for the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show have gained momentum, fueled in part by criticism of his performance style and recent political statements.

A viral petition demanding that the NFL ditch Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny in favor of country legend George Strait has drawn significant online attention, racking up more than 122,000 signatures as of February 3, 2026.

Petition urges NFL to replace Bad Bunny

The petition, launched in October 2025 by Kar Shell, argues that Strait, the Texas-born country music icon with more than 60 No 1 hits and decades of chart-topping success, better represents “American music’s rich heritage” and would appeal to a broad, cross-generational audience.

The petition had drawn more than 122,000 signatures, with supporters urging the NFL and halftime show producers to instead select Strait, a Texas-born country singer with more than six decades of hits and a long-standing career in American music.

“The Super Bowl halftime show should unite our country, honor American culture, and remain family-friendly, not be turned into a political stunt,” the petition states.

“Bad Bunny represents none of these values; his drag performances and style are the opposite of what families expect on football’s biggest stage.”

Bad Bunny draws backlash over Grammys ICE message

Bad Bunny took to the Grammys stage to accept an award for Best Música Urbana Album and used the platform to deliver a blunt “ICE Out” message. He went on to say immigrants “are not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens, we are humans, and we are Americans.”

He went on to say immigrants “are not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens, we are humans, and we are Americans.” 

The Bad Bunny debate has since expanded into a broader conversation about representation, language, and politics, with some critics even labeling the sporting event the “Woke Bowl.”

Despite the petition and growing public debate, the NFL and halftime show producers have continued to support Bad Bunny as the scheduled performer for Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

League officials have emphasized the entertainer’s popularity and reach, positioning the halftime show as an opportunity for cultural celebration and musical diversity.

Commissioner Roger Goodell firmly defended the singer, telling reporters that the league stands by its decision. “Bad Bunny, and I think that was demonstrated last night, is one of the great artists in the world,” Goodell said.

“That’s one of the reasons we chose him. But the other reason is he understood the platform he was on and that this platform is used to unite people and to be able to bring people together with their creativity, with their talents and to be able to use this moment to do that.”