George Strait performs at the 58th Annual CMA Awards, in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S., November 20, 2024. REUTERS/Seth Herald
(New York, New York) – A viral petition urging the NFL to replace Bad Bunny with country legend George Strait has surpassed 122,000 signatures, reflecting growing frustration among fans who say the current direction misses the mark.
The petition, launched in October 2025, argues that Strait’s decades-long career and record-setting run of No. 1 hits better represent traditional American music and would appeal to a wider, family-friendly audience.
Criticism intensified after Bad Bunny used his Grammy Awards acceptance speech to promote an “ICE Out” message, defending immigrants and calling them “Americans.” That moment reignited debate over politics in entertainment, with some fans branding this year’s matchup the “Woke Bowl.”
The NFL has not confirmed its halftime performer, but the online reaction highlights a broader cultural divide over representation, politics, and what fans expect from football’s biggest stage.
