The American sports and music world is once again in turmoil after Kansas City Chiefs star kicker Harrison Butker unexpectedly expressed his strong support for Bad Bunny – a famous Puerto Rican singer – in the campaign to nominate him to be the main performer at the 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show.
In a short interview after a practice session at Arrowhead Stadium, Butker surprised fans and the media by affirming:
“Latin music deserves its own stage at the Super Bowl. Bad Bunny has proven his global influence, and it is time for the football world to honor that.”
Immediately after Butker’s statement, the online community was fiercely divided. A part of the fans expressed their agreement, saying that the NFL should be more open in honoring multicultural artists, especially when Bad Bunny has contributed a lot to bringing Latin music to the world.
However, many loyal fans of Taylor Swift and Kid Rock expressed disappointment and anger. They said that Super Bowl 2026 should have been the “anticipated stage” for traditional American music icons, instead of being given to an artist from another culture.
An X (Twitter) account angrily wrote:
“Taylor Swift is at the peak of her career, and Kid Rock is an icon of American rock. It is an insult to ignore them and choose Bad Bunny!”
On the contrary, many people praised Butker for “daring to say the right thing” at a time when the Super Bowl is often criticized for lacking cultural diversity.
Bad Bunny’s career and the real possibility of being chosen
Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has become the most successful Latin artist in Billboard history with a series of global hits such as “Tití Me Preguntó”, “Dakiti” or “Me Porto Bonito”. He also performed at the 2020 Super Bowl with Shakira and Jennifer Lopez – a performance that was considered “energetic, bold and Latin-inspired”.
Experts say that Butker’s public endorsement could have a strong impact in the sports world, especially when the Kansas City Chiefs are a team with a huge global fan base. Many believe that if the NFL decides to choose Bad Bunny, this could be a historic turning point for the Super Bowl, opening a new era where multicultural music is honored.
Reactions from the NFL and Taylor Swift
Currently, the NFL has not made an official comment on the selection of artists for the 2026 Super Bowl. However, an inside source said that the shortlist has three famous names: Bad Bunny, Taylor Swift and Post Malone.
Taylor Swift has not commented, but fans believe the singer is focusing on her global The Eras Tour and may not want to be drawn into this debate.
Harrison Butker – from quiet player to “biggest debate starter of the year”
Not only famous for his accurate kicking ability, Harrison Butker is also known for his strong stance on many social issues. His latest statement shows that he is not afraid to speak up for what he believes in, even though he knows it can divide the community.
A cultural analyst at ESPN commented:
“Butker has opened up an interesting dialogue – between national pride and the recognition of cultural diversity. Like it or not, he has made Super Bowl 2026 a hot topic right now.”
Conclusion
Harrison Butker’s statement is not only a personal opinion, but also reflects the transformation of American popular culture – where the boundaries between sports and music, between traditional identity and globalization, are increasingly blurred.
Super Bowl 2026 will be a memorable event, not only because of the climax on the field, but also because of the big question: Who will really “shine” on the Halftime Show stage – Bad Bunny, Taylor Swift, or another surprise name?