Lee Greenwood Opens up About Being Better Choice for Super Bowl Halftime Show Than Bad Bunny

Country music icon Lee Greenwood or popular Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny? That choice is getting buzzed about since Bad Bunny (his actual name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio) was announced as the Super Bowl halftime performer next year. Per the New York Post, not everyone is pleased that Bad Bunny was selected for this prime-time gridiron gig seen by millions.

One well-known public figure who dissented from the choice of the rapper is Speaker of the House Mike Johnson. Per the outlet, Johnson reportedly said to a gathering of journalists on Tuesday, “I didn’t even know who Bad Bunny was. But it sounds like a terrible decision, in my view, from what I’m hearing.” He added that he would prefer to have someone like Greenwood do the entertainment honors at the celebrated football game in 2026.

Johnson clarified, “It sounds like he’s not someone who appeals to a broader audience. And there are so many eyes on the Super Bowl — for a lot of young and impressionable children. In my view, you would have Lee Greenwood or role models doing that. Not somebody like this.”

Greenwood Warmed to the Idea That He Could Perform at the Big Game

The famed country star 82, said, “I agree with Speaker Johnson. I would make a great performer for any Super Bowl show. I perform for various NFL teams every year, especially during their Salute To Service games. As a matter of fact, I will be doing halftime for the Dallas Cowboys during Monday Night Football on November 3rd. Football is one of America’s most watched sports, and I am always thrilled to perform the anthem or ‘God Bless The U.S.A.’ during the games.”

Then Greenwood tossed in another idea. “Maybe the NFL will have me perform this year at the Super Bowl prior to the game to have a stadium full of football fans singing ‘God Bless The U.S.A.’ to kick-off the game!”

The Country Singer Is a Favorite of President Donald Trump

The president was also critical of the Bad Bunny pick. Per the outlet via Greg Kelly Reports on Newsmax, Trump said, “I never heard of him I don’t know who he is, I don’t know why they’re doing it, it’s crazy, and then they blame it on some promoter that they hired to pick up entertainment, I think it’s absolutely ridiculous. This guy does not seem like a unifying entertainer and a lot of folks don’t even know who he is.”

Greenwood brought his patriotic musical message when he sang at the presidential inauguration in January. He also performed at the tribute in Arizona to Charlie Kirk, the slain conservative activist, last month. Greenwood sang at the GOP National Convention in 2024.

Bad Bunny Defended the NFL Choosing Him

He shared this in a statement per the outlet. “It’s for those who came before me and ran countless yards so I could come in and score a touchdown… this is for my people, my culture, and our history.”

Bad Bunny, 31, who hosted the season opener of Saturday Night Live on October 4, ruffled some feathers earlier by balking at bringing his tour to America. He was supposedly worried about the possible presence of federal agents.

Per the outlet, “Trump administration officials clarified ICE agents would be at the Feb. 8, 2026 [Super Bowl] game, whether Bad Bunny liked it or not.”