Fresh off his triumph at the 2026 Grammy Awards, where he secured the Best Contemporary Country Album award, Jelly Roll has boldly stepped into the ongoing Super Bowl halftime show controversy. Rather than avoiding the heated debate, the singer directly addressed the NFL with his vision for what the league should have done differently, particularly in light of the mounting backlash surrounding Bad Bunny's upcoming performance.
Jelly Roll Advocates for Nashville Super Bowl with Country Music Focus
Speaking on the red carpet in Los Angeles, Jelly Roll tied his proposal to Nashville's potential future as a Super Bowl host city. He emphasized that country music better reflects the core audience of the NFL, positioning his comments as a strategic move amid escalating criticism of the 2026 halftime show across political and cultural divides.
Nashville's Stadium and Halftime Show Vision
Jelly Roll highlighted that the Super Bowl could soon head to Nashville once the Tennessee Titans' new $2.1 billion stadium is completed. He framed this possibility as an ideal opportunity for the NFL to reconsider its halftime strategy. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, the 41-year-old artist stated, "The Super Bowl could possibly come to Nashville in the next three to five years. We are getting a new stadium and I have a dream that they do a country music-themed halftime show. Maybe they just let me do a little 20 or 30 seconds in it."
He outlined a dream lineup that would blend country legends with contemporary stars, saying, "I want to see Tim McGraw, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton. I would love to see the country legends with the new dogs, like Morgan Wallen. That's my dream. Something that involved the whole community." This pitch comes at a time when many fans are questioning whether the NFL misjudged the reaction to naming Bad Bunny as the 2026 headliner.
Bad Bunny Backlash Intensifies Amid Political and Cultural Clash
The NFL announced Bad Bunny as the halftime performer in late September, sparking an immediate and intense response. Several high-ranking political figures criticized the decision, citing the artist's past remarks about U.S. immigration policy and ICE. Former President Donald Trump later confirmed he would not attend the game because of this selection.
A Change.org petition calling for country legend George Strait to replace Bad Bunny has garnered over 122,000 signatures. The petition argues that the halftime show should celebrate "the cultural tapestry of America," suggesting that recent performances have strayed from this ideal.
Bad Bunny's Grammy Remarks Add Fuel to Controversy
Bad Bunny further fueled the controversy during the Grammys on February 1. After accepting an award, he declared, "Before I say thanks to god, I'm going to say, ICE Out." He followed this with, "We are not savage. We are not animals. We are not aliens. We are humans, and we are Americans." These statements have only intensified the debate surrounding his upcoming Super Bowl performance.
The NFL has not publicly commented on Jelly Roll's remarks or the renewed backlash. Bad Bunny remains scheduled to perform at Levi's Stadium on Sunday night, as the controversy continues to unfold.
