Fans Launch Petition Urging NFL to Replace Bad Bunny with George Strait at Super Bowl 2026 Halftime Show
Las Vegas, Nevada — Amid growing backlash over the NFL’s decision to select Bad Bunny as the headliner for the Super Bowl 60 halftime show, fans across the country are rallying behind a new campaign to put “The King of Country” George Strait on the biggest stage in American entertainment.
The online petition — which has already gathered hundreds of thousands of signatures within days of its launch — calls for the NFL to “restore the halftime show’s tradition of unity and Americana” by featuring Strait, whose music has defined country storytelling for more than four decades.
“The Super Bowl halftime show should reflect the heart of America — its culture, its faith, and its people,” the petition reads. “George Strait embodies everything that unites us: timeless music, humility, and respect for tradition.”
The movement, spreading rapidly on social media under the hashtag #StraitForSuperBowl, follows a wave of conservative and country-music fan frustration over the league’s choice of Bad Bunny, the Puerto Rican superstar known for his reggaeton and Latin trap hits. Critics argue that the NFL has increasingly leaned toward global pop trends, leaving behind audiences who prefer classic American genres like country, rock, and gospel.
“Bad Bunny is talented, but this is the Super Bowl — it’s America’s game,” one supporter wrote. “It’s time to let a true American icon like George Strait take the stage.”
For many, the campaign is about more than music — it’s about cultural identity. Fans say Strait’s presence would symbolize the kind of grounded, family-friendly entertainment that once defined the Super Bowl’s halftime legacy. “When George Strait sings, everyone listens,” another fan commented. “No dancers, no drama, just real music and real heart.”
George Strait, now 72, remains one of the most respected and enduring figures in country music. Over his legendary career, he has released more than 60 No. 1 hits — more than any other artist in history — and sold over 100 million albums worldwide. His songs, from “Amarillo by Morning” to “The Chair” and “Check Yes or No,” continue to resonate across generations for their sincerity, storytelling, and deep emotional pull.
While Strait has not commented publicly on the petition, fans have flooded his official social media pages with pleas for him to accept if the opportunity arises. “George Strait doesn’t need fireworks or dancers,” one user posted. “He just needs a microphone and that hat — and America will sing along.”
The campaign has also gained momentum thanks to endorsements from other country artists and cultural commentators. Radio hosts across the U.S. have dedicated airtime to the topic, with one Nashville DJ calling the movement “a grassroots revival of real music.”
Interestingly, the petition aligns with a broader trend of public demand for more traditional halftime alternatives. Turning Point USA, the conservative nonprofit co-founded by the late Charlie Kirk, recently announced its own “All American Halftime Show” — a family-centered, patriotic performance scheduled to air during Super Bowl 60. That event, led by Erika Kirk, is expected to feature George Strait as one of its central performers, giving fans who are disillusioned with the NFL’s direction another way to celebrate.
“The halftime show has become too much about flash and controversy,” said media analyst Trent Wallace. “The George Strait movement shows that millions of Americans are hungry for authenticity. They want to see someone who reminds them of home.”
Despite the online uproar, the NFL has not issued any formal response to the petition. Historically, the league has stood by its halftime selections, favoring broad international appeal and younger demographics. However, the sheer scale of the campaign — coupled with its mainstream media coverage — may pressure organizers to at least acknowledge the growing discontent among fans.
Even those outside the country genre have joined the conversation, suggesting that Strait’s understated presence could offer a refreshing contrast to the spectacle-driven nature of recent halftime productions. “Imagine it,” one tweet read. “The lights go down, a steel guitar starts, and George Strait walks out to sing ‘The Cowboy Rides Away.’ That’s not just a show — that’s a moment.”
Whether the NFL listens or not, one thing is clear: the movement to bring George Strait to the Super Bowl has struck a deep emotional chord with Americans who long for simplicity, sincerity, and a shared musical experience that transcends trends.
And for a country that’s often divided, the idea of Strait — standing alone beneath the stadium lights, singing songs that speak to the heart — feels like exactly the kind of moment that could bring everyone together again.