As the 2025 NFL season nears its climax with the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots set to face off in the Super Bowl in San Francisco, controversy surrounds the halftime performance. NFL legend Eric Dickerson has sparked debate by criticizing the choice of Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny for the halftime show, questioning the NFL’s motives and calling the league corrupt.
Eric Dickerson Voices Strong Criticism of NFL’s Halftime Show Choice
Eric Dickerson, the retired Los Angeles Rams star and holder of the single-season rushing record, expressed his blunt opinions at the San Francisco airport ahead of Super Bowl Sunday. Firmly reiterating his disapproval of Bad Bunny as the halftime performer, Dickerson challenged why the NFL did not select a local artist from the host city instead. He questioned the decision to feature a Spanish-language singer on an event many view as a quintessentially American tradition.
“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?”
Dickerson asked, voicing frustration with the choice to spotlight an international act instead of a local or English-speaking performer.
Controversy Surrounding National Identity and Language in Super Bowl Performance
The uproar over Bad Bunny’s selection reflects broader tensions related to national identity and language at the Super Bowl. Some critics, including Dickerson, argue that the halftime show should showcase artists who perform in English, emphasizing the event’s American character. These objections intersect with political discourse, including those from the previous Trump administration, which voiced displeasure over the Spanish-language performance planned by Bad Bunny, who is expected to perform as ICE agents.
Dickerson underlined the debate’s complexity by highlighting Puerto Rico’s unique political status, stating,
“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’m Black. I mean, hey, we have our own problems. I don’t see why they chose that.”
He also criticized the NFL’s broader decisions, labeling the league as driven by financial interests regardless of consequences.
“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,”
Dickerson said, accusing the league of baffling behavior motivated by profits.
Eric Dickerson’s History of Calling Out the NFL
Dickerson is no stranger to publicly challenging the NFL. Following the 2025 draft, he voiced strong accusations of collusion against the league regarding the unexpected draft slide of quarterback Shedeur Sanders from the first to the fifth round. Dickerson claimed the NFL deliberately worked to make an example of Sanders, presumably to humble the standout former Colorado Buffaloes player.
“Make An Example Out Of Him”
was a phrase Dickerson used to highlight his assertion that the NFL engaged in punitive tactics during the draft. He also expressed a wish that the Cleveland Browns release Sanders, hoping to remove the quarterback from an allegedly toxic environment by Lake Erie.
At Super Bowl to Stand Firm on His Beliefs
Attending the Super Bowl in San Francisco, the six-time Pro Bowler was clear about his intentions: to maintain his stance on the halftime show, the NFL as an organization, and the cultural direction of the sport’s biggest event. Despite widespread anticipation for the show, which features one of the most streamed global artists, Dickerson remains resolute in his criticism, using his platform to highlight deeper issues he believes are being overlooked.
His comments reflect not only his personal discontent but also a segment of the public that remains skeptical about the NFL’s cultural decisions and governance. As millions tune in, his outspoken demeanor adds another layer to the conversation surrounding the event.
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Eric Dickerson is NOT backing down from his Bad Bunny stance — and now he’s dragging the NFL into the fire! https://t.co/9emXbnlhvh pic.twitter.com/7qE9KE3KtV
— TMZ (@TMZ) February 6, 2026
In 2016, Bad Bunny worked at a grocery store as a bagger.
10 years later, his album ‘Debí Tiras Más Fotos’ won Album Of The Year at the #GRAMMYs.
Chase your dreams, kid. pic.twitter.com/llv5SKDmwI
— Complex Music (@ComplexMusic) February 2, 2026
