The announcement that the rapper/singer had been selected to perform at the NFL’s biggest game of the season was met with a divided response for several reasons. Bad Bunny has also become a political talking point for those who want to push for other artists to get the spotlight.

According to Entertainment Weekly, a petition is being circulated in favor of having 73-year-old country artist George Strait get the nod over Bad Bunny.

Don’t expect the NFL to go back on its decision anytime soon, Commissioner Roger Goodell told reporters this week the league is “confident” in its choice of Bad Bunny playing the Super Bowl halftime show.

Here is a look at which rockers have come out in support of Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl selection.

Ken Casey (Dropkick Murphys)

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Rolling Stone recently asked Dropkick Murphys vocalist and founding member Ken Casey to provide his thoughts on Bad Bunny being selected to perform during the Super Bowl halftime show. Casey has never been shy about voicing his support or concerns regarding political and societal issues.

“I had never really listened to Bad Bunny’s music, but after his performance in Happy Gilmore 2, I will go to the mat for that guy,” Casey told Rolling Stone.

The 31-year-old Puerto Rican performer was featured in the 2025 film playing the role of the title character’s caddy, Oscar Mejias.

“God bless his heart,” Casey said during the interview. “He is a true, true American.”

Casey also expressed to Rolling Stone that those in the political arena should reconsider how much concern they are paying to this year’s performer.

“There’s way bigger problems in the world than who is at the halftime show at the Super Bowl.”

David Draiman (Disturbed)

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Metallica continues to get thrown around by rock fans as a suggested Super Bowl halftime performer every year. And with Super Bowl LX landing at Levi’s Stadium in the San Francisco Bay Area this year, there seemed to be a glimmer of hope for the band to get the gig as a hometown nod.

But that obviously is not happening.

Disturbed vocalist David Draiman fully supports Metallica playing the Super Bowl, but he is also willing to recognize other artists that “deserve” it as well.

“I may prefer to have Metallica play the Super Bowl any day of the week and twice on Sunday,” Draiman posted on X, formerly Twitter. “HOWEVER…. there is no doubt that Bad Bunny is one of the biggest artists in world [sic] and that he DESERVES his halftime spot.”

I may prefer to have @Metallica play the @SuperBowl any day of the week and twice on Sunday 😉…

…HOWEVER

…there is no doubt that #BadBunny is one of the biggest artists in world and that he DESERVES his half time spot.

— David Draiman 🟦🎗️🇺🇸🇮🇱✡️☮️ (@davidmdraiman) October 5, 2025

Jelly Roll

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Besides being performers with large fan bases, Bad Bunny and Jelly Roll have quite a few things in common. One of those commonalities is that they’ve both dipped their toes in the world of professional wrestling for the WWE.

Bad Bunny first appeared in a tag team match during WrestleMania 37 in 2021 when he teamed with Damian Priest to defeat The Miz and John Morrison. Since then, he has appeared in the ring during at least two other major WWE events

Jelly Roll made his in-ring debut for WWE during this year’s SummerSlam event in August. Unfortunately, he and teammate Randy Orton were defeated by Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre.

Jelly Roll.was one of the first people to congratulate Bad Bunny when it was announced that he got the halftime gig. He was also sure to mention their WWE ties.

“From WrestleMania to the Super Bowl– you inspire us all! Much love,” he commented on Bad Bunny’s Instagram following the announcement in September.

Carlos Santana

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Less than a month after Bad Bunny was announced for the Super Bowl, Carlos Santana found himself needing to squash false stories about the performer with a statement on his official website.

According to the site, it was falsely implied by “internet trolls” that Santana was critical of the NFL for selecting Bad Bunny for the spot.

“Fear is the flavor right now. Fear is what motivates ignorant people to put words in my mouth – saying that I didn’t want Bad Bunny to be represented at the Super Bowl,” Santana wrote. “I never said that, nor would I ever.”

He blamed the accusations on “hostile forces” that are trying to create division around the issue.

“They want people to be miserable and to spend too much time in their minds. I spend a lot of time in my heart and in my heart I celebrate Bad Bunny.”

Every Rock Artist That Has Played the Super Bowl Halftime Show

Rock on the biggest stage!

Gallery Credit: Chad Childers, Loudwire

26 Jan 1997: The rock trio ZZ Top performs during the half-time show of Super Bowl XXXI at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Al Bello/All Sport, Getty Images

1997: ZZ Top

The 1997 Super Bowl halftime show was a good time for all, led by the “Blues Brothers Bash” featuring Dan Aykroyd, John Goodman and James Belushi.

They were joined by the “Godfather of Soul” James Brown and the boogie-woogie blues rock of the legendary ZZ Top.

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy performing during the half time special of the Super Bowl XXXIII Game between the Denver Broncos and the Atlanta Falcons at the Pro Player Stadium in Miami, Florida.

Vincent Laforet/Staff, Getty Images

1999: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

Capitalizing on the recent swing craze, Swingers band Big Bad Voodoo Daddy not only crossed over to alt-rock radio but found themselves on the Super Bowl stage.

The band was part of a halftime show dubbed “Celebration of Soul, Salsa and Swing” that featured Stevie Wonder, Gloria Estefan and tap dancing great Savion Glover.

Steven Tyler (left) and Joe Perry of Aerosmith perform prior to the start of Super Bowl XXXVIII between the New England Patriots and the Carolina Panthers at Reliant Stadium on February 1, 2004 in Houston, Texas.

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

2001: Aerosmith

Attempting to blend the two biggest genres of the day, Super Bowl halftime show organizers tapped Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legends Aerosmith to bring the “rock” in their “Kings of Rock and Pop” halftime show.

The veteran band was joined by pop stars ‘N Sync, Britney Spears, Nelly and Mary J. Blige for the halftime extravaganza.

Music group U2 performs during halftime of Super Bowl XXXVI February 3, 2002 at the Superdome in New Orleans, LA. Super Bowl XXXVI is being played by the New England Patriots and the St. Louis Rams.

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

2002: U2

U2 played one of the more memorable and moving halftime performances in Super Bowl history. The group’s halftime performance notably featured the band performing a three-song set as a scroll of those lost in the 9/11 terror attack played in the background.

No Doubt and Sting perform during halftime of Super Bowl XXXVII between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Oakland Raiders on January 26, 2003 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California.

Donald Miralle, Getty Images

2003: No Doubt and Sting

SoCal rockers No Doubt and former Police frontman Sting were part of a triple bill with country superstar Shania Twain at the 2003 Super Bowl halftime show in San Diego.

No Doubt played their breakout hit “Just a Girl,” then later joined Sting for a cover of The Police’s “Message in a Bottle.”

Musician Kid Rock performs during the halftime show at Super Bowl XXXVIII between the New England Patriots and the Carolina Panthers at Reliant Stadium on February 1, 2004 in Houston, Texas

Frank Micelotta, Getty Images

2004: Kid Rock

Kid Rock fittingly brought his hit “Cowboy” to the Texas-set 2004 Super Bowl in Houston, Texas.

But the American flag-wearing Rock was far from being the talk of the halftime, as Janet Jackson’s headlining performance with Justin Timberlake gave birth to the phrases “wardrobe malfunction” and “nipplegate.”

P. Diddy and Nelly were also part of the halftime show.

Singer Paul McCartney performs during the Super Bowl XXXIX halftime show at Alltel Stadium on February 6, 2005 in Jacksonville, Florida.

Brian Bahr, Getty Images

2005: Paul McCartney

Starting in 2005, Super Bowl halftime show organizers started a streak of allowing one artist to be the focal centerpiece. And luckily for rock fans, the next six years featured rock acts.

It started with Paul McCartney playing a spectacular four-song set that included “Drive My Car,” “Get Back,” “Live and Let Die” and “Hey Jude.”

Keith Richards and Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones perform at halftime during Super Bowl XL between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan on February 5, 2006.

Theo Wargo, Getty Images

2006: The Rolling Stones

A year after a Beatles legend took center stage, Super Bowl halftime show organizers pulled in The Rolling Stones.

The band played a three-song set, bookended with “Start Me Up” and “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.” The third song was “Rough Justice” from their most recent album at the time, A Bigger Bang.

Prince performs during the Pepsi Halftime Show at Super Bowl XLI between the Indianapolis Colts and the Chicago Bears on February 4, 2007 at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Jamie Squire, Getty Images

2007: Prince

Prince played arguably the greatest Super Bowl halftime show of all time. A torrential downpour in Miami left the outdoor stage soaked and slippery, but Prince took the stage playing an electrifying set featuring parts of nine songs.

“Let’s Go Crazy,” “1999” and “Baby I’m a Star” were his own, while he covered bits of Queen’s “We Will Rock You,” CCR’s “Proud Mary,” Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower” and Foo Fighters “Best of You” before finishing out with a marching band on “Purple Rain” as the skies opened up once again.

Keyboardist Benmont Tench, singer/songwriter Tom Petty, guitarist Mike Campbell and guitarist Scott Thurston smile after perforiming at the Bridgestone halftime show during Super Bowl XLII between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots on February 3, 2008 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

Streeter Lecka, Getty Images

2008: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

The 2008 Super Bowl featured another legendary rock act, with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers treating the Phoenix-based audience to a four-song set that included “American Girl,” “I Won’t Back Down,” “Free Fallin’,” and “Runnin’ Down a Dream.”

Musician Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band perform at the Bridgestone halftime show during Super Bowl XLIII between the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers on February 1, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images

2009: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band

Much like the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen used the Super Bowl stage to surround a new song with classics. “Tenth Avenue Freeze Out,” “Born to Run” and “Glory Days” were wrapped around a partial version of Springsteen’s newer track “Working on a Dream.”

Appealing to the Super Bowl audience, Springsteen changed the baseball references in “Glory Days” to football references. They were joined by the Miami Horns and a gospel choir as well to enhance the performance.

Musician Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend of The Who perform at halftime of Super Bowl XLIV between the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints on February 7, 2010 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Win McNamee, Getty Images

2010: The Who

Concluding the string of classic rock performers, The Who took the Super Bowl halftime stage in 2010.

The five-song set featured the iconic hits “Pinball Wizard,” “Baba O’Riley,” “Who Are You,” “See Me, Feel Me” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again.”

But, after the event, organizers started to receive criticism for leaning too heavily on older rock acts in recent years and began to move away from rock’s dominant presence at the Super Bowl in the 2000s.

Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas and Slash perform during the Bridgestone Super Bowl XLV Halftime Show at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas.

Ronald Martin, Getty Images

2011: Slash

Going younger, Super Bowl organizers tapped Black Eyed Peas as the featured performer for the 2011 big game. But there was still a rock presence within the performance.

Slash, with a flashy tophat and his guitar, hopped up onstage to join Fergie on a cover of “Sweet Child O’ Mine” and even dropped a solo from his band Velvet Revolver, playing a piece of “Slither.”

Usher served as the other special guest during the set, performing his hit “OMG.”

Bruno Mars and the Red Hot Chili Peppers perform during the Pepsi Super Bowl XLVIII Halftime Show at MetLife Stadium on February 2, 2014 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Jamie Squire, Getty Images

2014: Red Hot Chili Peppers

Rock was absent for a few years, but then Red Hot Chili Peppers were added in 2014 to collaborate with Bruno Mars.

Mars played a six-song set that included a cover of the Chili Peppers “Give It Away,” providing a jumping good time for all onstage at the time.

Singers Katy Perry and Lenny Kravitz perform during the Pepsi Super Bowl XLIX Halftime Show at University of Phoenix Stadium on February 1, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona.

Christian Petersen, Getty Images

2015: Lenny Kravitz

Pop star Katy Perry was front and center for the 2015 Super Bowl, but she invited Lenny Kravitz to be one of her guests as she played her breakout hit “I Kissed a Girl.”

Sadly none of his own music was incorporated into the set, but it was good to see Kravitz as a featured guest performer.

Chris Martin of Coldplay performs during the Pepsi Super Bowl 50 Halftime Show at Levis Stadium on February 7, 2016 in Santa Clara, California

Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images

2016: Coldplay

Alt-rockers Coldplay were chosen as the headliners for Super Bowl 50 in 2016, but they had some high profile support with Bruno Mars and Beyonce joining in the fun.

“Yellow,” “Viva La Vida,” “Paradise,” “Adventure of a Lifetime,” “Fix You” and “Up & Up” were all featured during the set.