The controversy over Bad Bunny performing at the halftime show of Super Bowl LX has gone far enough to spark a little civil unrest among NFL fans.

1999 Pro Football Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson doubled down on his previous criticism of the DTMF fame rapper. In an interview with TMZ at the San Francisco airport, he said:

“Why couldn’t we get somebody right here from home? How about someone from right here in San Francisco, and get these artists right here in the area to play at the Super Bowl? Somebody that speaks English. I don’t know if it’s going to be in Spanish or whatever. What sense does that make?”

From this, the NFL legend seems to have a problem with the fact that Bad Bunny sings in Spanish, and he will be performing for an English-speaking majority. It is a fact that the Puerto Rican singer almost always sings in Spanish.

He has even said he doesn’t plan to record music fully in English just because others expect it. Though Eric's words have ignited a debate among the NFL fans, the above was just the beginning of it. He further said that Puerto Rico is not America.

“It’s a territory. You don’t have the right to vote. … I don’t have anything against Puerto Rico. …I don’t see why they chose that. The NFL does stuff that baffles your mind," he said. "They’ll do anything for money. And you know, I thank God I had a chance to play in the National Football League, but as an entity, the NFL is one of the most corrupt organizations.”

The fans have responded, and the stance remains divided. While many fought back against the statement of the NFL legend, others have agreed, but only partly.

NFL Divided Over HOF's Bad Bunny Statement

Many have voiced out against Eric not considering Puerto Rico a part of America. "While I agree it should’ve been an artist that speaks English, Puerto Rico is pretty much American," one fan said. Puerto Rico is definitely U.S. territory, but not a state.

People born in Puerto Rico are U.S. citizens and carry U.S. passports, but they cannot vote for the U.S. president unless living in a state. Many have also pointed out that artists from other nationalities have performed in the Super Bowl in previous years.

Like this fan said, "I’m assuming he had this same issue then when Shakira was the superbowl halftime show too." Shakira performed at the Super Bowl halftime show on February 2, 2020, during Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Many have come in Eric's support as well, saying this like, "boycottsuperbowl", "ERIC!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥", and more. One fan questioned if Bad Bunny is the right choice for the NFL.

They noted, "I don’t think it matters where he’s from, and he actually seems like a cool dude, I personally just find it an odd choice simply bc a lot of people who watch or play in the Super Bowl aren’t big fans of his music and I would assume that is who you would try and cater to". They have raised a valid point.

In a poll by The Athletic of NFL players, 58.6% were in favor of Bad Bunny headlining the Super Bowl halftime show. But around 41.4% opposed the choice. “I don’t even know who Bad Bunny is," one player even said.

And while the ongoing debate goes on, weigh in your thoughts in the comments below!

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Written by

Reyansh Dubey

Edited by

Joyita Das