Country star Lee Greenwood backs Mike Johnson’s call to replace Bad Bunny at the Super Bowl halftime show

Country singer Lee Greenwood has spoken in support of House Speaker Mike Johnson’s recent comments about the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show. Johnson criticized the decision to have Bad Bunny headline the show and suggested that Greenwood would be a better fit for the event. Greenwood, known for his song “God Bless the U.S.A.”, said he is open to performing if asked.

The Super Bowl halftime show has often been a topic of discussion, with choices of artists reflecting a wide mix of genres and audiences. Johnson’s comments have added a political layer to this year’s discussion, as he said the NFL should choose an artist who represents what he called “American values.” Greenwood’s support for Johnson’s statement has drawn attention from both fans and critics.

Greenwood said his interest does not lie in replacing Bad Bunny personally, but in bringing people together through music. He mentioned that sports events should be unifying moments, not ones that divide people based on culture or politics.

Lee Greenwood’s statement and his history with the NFL

Lee Greenwood indicated that he is willing to play at the Super Bowl in case the NFL invites him. He indicated that he is not new to singing at NFL events, where some games are held in honor of the military. Lee Greenwood claimed that it would be an honor for him to sing either the national anthem or "God Bless the U.S.A." at the event.

The country star said that he aims to bring unity through music. He explained that although he admires Bad Bunny and his achievements, big national events are supposed to glorify what unites Americans. Lee Greenwood also stated that he is an advocate of all types of music, but believes the halftime performance at the Super Bowl should have a national moment.

Lee Greenwood further noted that he can appreciate the fact that the NFL has an interest in accessing a wide range of audiences. Nevertheless, he remarked that the core of such big events should be patriotism and unity. His statements have had varied responses, with some agreeing with his message and others terming it as unwarranted criticism of Bad Bunny.

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Political and cultural debate around the halftime show

House Speaker Mike Johnson’s statement about the halftime show has sparked political discussion. According to Johnson, the NFL made a poor choice in having Bad Bunny, who primarily sings in Spanish. He maintained that the Super Bowl should feature an artist who can attract the largest audience possible in the United States.

The advocates of Johnson's stance are not only conservative individuals, such as former President Donald Trump himself, who have also raised concerns over the NFL's decision. In their opinion, a traditional American singer, such as Lee Greenwood, would have been a more appropriate representation of the event's values. Some people, however, view the critique as unjust and argue that Bad Bunny is a reflection of the nation's increasing cultural diversity.

Although there has been controversy, the NFL has reassured that Bad Bunny will still be the star performer during the Super Bowl LX halftime performance at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on February 8, 2026. The league has not declared any alterations, although Greenwood expressed that he would be happy to do a pre-game performance should he be invited.

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