Bad Bunny turned the Grammy Awards into an anti-ICE rally Sunday night, declaring "ICE out" before thanking God.
Hours later, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell faced reporters in San Jose to defend the most controversial Super Bowl halftime performer in league history.
Goodell insisted the Puerto Rican rapper "understands the platform" and will use America's biggest stage to "unite people" – this from the same guy who just won Album of the Year and used his speech to attack the very agency keeping Americans safe from criminal aliens.
NFL Commissioner Defends Super Bowl Halftime Performer After ICE Comments
"Listen, Bad Bunny is, and I think that was demonstrated last night, one of the great artists in the world," Goodell told reporters at his Monday press conference.
"That's one of the reasons we chose him."
The commissioner claimed Bad Bunny "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."
He said past Super Bowl artists have used the stage properly.
"I think Bad Bunny understands that, and I think he'll have a great performance."
Here's what Goodell didn't mention – Bad Bunny literally said "Before I say thanks to God, I'm going to say ICE out" at the Grammys.
He called ICE agents the enemy while accepting his award.
He refused to tour America because he claimed ICE might show up at his concerts.
And Goodell thinks this guy "understands" he should unite people?
Trump Criticized Bad Bunny Super Bowl Pick As "Crazy"
President Trump said he'd never heard of Bad Bunny when the NFL announced this disaster last fall.
"I don't know who he is. I don't know why they're doing it. It's crazy."
Speaker Mike Johnson called it a "terrible decision" and suggested Lee Greenwood perform "God Bless the USA" instead.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said ICE agents would be "all over" the Super Bowl.
"They suck, and we'll win," Noem said about her message to the NFL.
The NFL didn't listen.
They picked a Spanish-language performer who attacks Trump and defends illegal immigration over an 83-year-old American legend who actually loves this country.
Kid Rock Leads Turning Point USA Alternative Halftime Show
Turning Point USA announced their "All-American Halftime Show" will compete directly against Bad Bunny's performance.
Kid Rock headlines alongside Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett.
The show streams at 8 p.m. ET Sunday on conservative platforms including Daily Wire+, Real America's Voice, and TBN.
"We're approaching this show like David and Goliath," Kid Rock said.
"Competing with the pro football machine and a global pop superstar is almost impossible."
He took a shot at Bad Bunny.
"He's said he's having a dance party, wearing a dress, and singing in Spanish? Cool. We plan to play great songs for folks who love America."
TPUSA spokesman Andrew Kolvet explained the alternative.
"The All-American Halftime Show is an opportunity for all Americans to enjoy a halftime show with no agenda other than to celebrate faith, family, and freedom."
Meanwhile, Bad Bunny's Grammy speech Sunday night included a dozen celebrities wearing "ICE OUT" pins – Justin Bieber, Hailey Bieber, Billie Eilish, Joni Mitchell, and Jack Antonoff all showed up coordinating their anti-ICE message.
Billie Eilish won Song of the Year and declared "no one is illegal on stolen land" during her acceptance speech.
This is the crowd Bad Bunny runs with.
This is who Goodell thinks will unite Americans.
NFL Chose Controversy Over Patriotism For Super Bowl LX
Bad Bunny makes anti-Trump content.
His "NEVAYoL" music video mocked the president with a Trump-like voice apologizing to immigrants.
He became Spotify's top global artist for the fourth time last year.
He won Album of the Year Sunday for "Debí Tirar Más Fotos" – the first all-Spanish-language album to win that category.
The NFL picked controversy over patriotism.
They picked Spanish over English, anti-ICE activism over American values.
Goodell can claim they chose Bad Bunny because he's among the world's "great artists" who will "unite people."
What he really means is the NFL doesn't care what 80 million Trump voters think about their biggest event of the year.
Super Bowl LX kicks off Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET with the New England Patriots facing the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara.
Bad Bunny performs at halftime around 8 p.m.
Or you could switch to Kid Rock and watch something that doesn't hate America.
Sources:
- Ryan Gaydos, "NFL's Roger Goodell believes Bad Bunny 'understands' Super Bowl LX platform is meant to unite amid ICE outcry," Fox News, February 3, 2026.
- "Bad Bunny uses Grammy Award win to protest ICE," CNN, February 2, 2026.
- "Super Bowl 2026: Roger Goodell backs Bad Bunny for halftime show after 'ICE out' speech at the Grammys," Yahoo Sports, February 3, 2026.
- "Turning Point USA launches rival halftime show with star-studded lineup as NFL faces Super Bowl backlash," Fox News, February 2, 2026.
- "Kid Rock to Headline Turning Point USA's MAGA-Friendly Super Bowl Halftime Show," The Hollywood Reporter, February 2, 2026.
