The Super Bowl is meant to be a celebration — a grand spectacle of sport, music, and unity. But this year, Super Bowl 60 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara became the center of a national storm after an explosive halftime show performance by Puerto Rican global icon Bad Bunny. What was supposed to be one of the most electrifying shows in recent memory has instead ignited a heated cultural and political debate across the United States — one that even drew in NFL veteran Harrison Smith of the Minnesota Vikings, whose fiery comments have since gone viral.
When the lights dimmed and the halftime stage lit up with neon Caribbean hues, Bad Bunny rose from a massive golden structure shaped like a heart, surrounded by dancers in shimmering red and blue costumes. The crowd roared as he launched into a medley of his biggest hits — “Tití Me Preguntó,” “Callaíta,” and “Un Preview.” It was bold, vibrant, unapologetically Latin, and in true Bad Bunny fashion, it was politically charged. Midway through his performance, a massive banner unfurled behind him with the words “Latinos Unidos” glowing in bright white letters. He shouted in Spanish, “Puerto Rico no se vende — Puerto Rico is not for sale!” The stadium erupted, but online — the reaction was far from unified.
Almost immediately, social media exploded. Fans praised Bad Bunny for using his platform to highlight his Puerto Rican heritage and call for unity among Latin Americans. But others accused him of “bringing politics” into America’s biggest sports event. Hashtags like #BoycottBadBunny and #SuperBowl60Controversy began trending within hours. The backlash reached its peak when veteran safety Harrison Smith of the Minnesota Vikings weighed in during a postgame event interview.
Smith didn’t hold back. “Stay your ass in Puerto Rico,” he said bluntly when asked about the performance. “I’m from America, I love my country. And if you don’t like America, then get the hell out of here and don’t come here anymore.” His words spread across the internet like wildfire — shared, dissected, and criticized by millions. Some praised his “patriotism,” while others accused him of ignorance and xenophobia.
The controversy deepened when several NFL players of Latino heritage responded publicly. Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who has spoken often about cultural pride, commented, “It’s 2025 — if you’re still offended by music that celebrates identity, maybe the problem isn’t the artist.” Meanwhile, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce reportedly unfollowed Smith on Instagram, adding fuel to the rumor that tensions were brewing inside NFL circles.
Bad Bunny himself stayed quiet for nearly 48 hours after the storm began — unusual for an artist known for his bold statements. When he finally broke his silence on Instagram Live, over 2 million people tuned in. “I performed for everyone,” he said calmly in Spanish. “I’m Puerto Rican, yes — but I’m also part of the world. Music has no borders. If my message bothers you, maybe you need to look deeper into why.” His fans flooded the comments with support, while critics doubled down.
Meanwhile, the NFL found itself caught in the middle of an unexpected cultural firestorm. League spokesperson Brian McCarthy released a brief statement saying, “The Super Bowl Halftime Show has always been a platform for artistic expression. We support diversity and creative freedom in all forms.” Still, insiders revealed that some executives were “blindsided” by the political undertones in Bad Bunny’s set and that discussions were already underway about “tightening review processes” for future performances.
The debate over whether artists should use platforms like the Super Bowl to make political or cultural statements is not new. From Beyoncé’s Black Panther-inspired set to Shakira and Jennifer Lopez’s powerful performance celebrating Latin identity in 2020, the halftime stage has often reflected social tensions beyond football. But this year, the clash felt more intense — a reflection of how divided public opinion has become.
As of now, Harrison Smith has reportedly been asked by the Vikings organization to “clarify” his remarks. Some insiders claim he’s privately expressed regret over the wording but stands by his “patriotic stance.” Meanwhile, Bad Bunny’s streaming numbers have soared by 38% since the Super Bowl — suggesting that the controversy may have only strengthened his global reach.
At Levi’s Stadium, where it all began, the echoes of that night still linger. The halftime show that was meant to unite America through music instead exposed its deepest divides. And yet, perhaps that’s exactly what art does — it forces people to confront their differences.
Was Bad Bunny wrong to speak his truth on football’s biggest stage, or was Harrison Smith simply defending his beliefs? One thing is certain — Super Bowl 60 will be remembered not just for touchdowns or trophies, but for a halftime show that made the whole world talk.
