In the high-stakes theater of the NFL, Andy Reid is a man of few, but heavy, words. Known more for his love of a good cheeseburger and his tactical brilliance on the gridiron than for critiques of pop culture, the legendary Kansas City Chiefs head coach has sent shockwaves through the entertainment world.
While the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots were catching their breath in the locker rooms of Super Bowl LX, global megastar Bad Bunny was busy transforming the mid-field into a neon-soaked, reggaeton-infused spectacle. But as the smoke cleared and the stage was rolled away, a quote began to circulate that hit harder than a blindside tackle.
“That has to be the worst halftime show I’ve ever seen.”
The source? None other than “Big Red” himself. For a coach who has seen decades of halftime shows from the sidelines and the film room, the blunt assessment wasn’t just a critique—it was a declaration of war on the current state of Super Bowl entertainment.
A Clash of Cultures: The Coach vs. The Conejo
To understand why this comment has ignited a wildfire across social media, one has to look at the sheer scale of Bad Bunny’s performance. The Puerto Rican sensation brought a production that was visually arresting, featuring a literal wedding on stage and high-octane guest appearances from the likes of Cardi B and Ricky Martin. It was a celebration of Latin trap and global pop culture that many hailed as a “masterpiece of representation.”
However, for the traditionalists—a group Andy Reid often unintentionally spearheads by nature of his “old school” football DNA—the show was a bridge too far. Reid’s alleged dissatisfaction points to a growing rift in the NFL viewership: the tension between the “Football Purists” and the “Entertainment Spectacle.”
For a man who spends his life obsessing over the physics of a pigskin and the precision of a route, perhaps the chaotic, avant-garde energy of El Conejo Malo felt less like a celebration and more like a distraction.
Overreaction or Harsh Reality?
The question now dominating sports bars and Twitter (X) threads is simple: Was Andy Reid overreacting, or did he simply say out loud what millions of fans were thinking?
Critics of the show have pointed to several factors that might have irked a disciplined mind like Reid’s:
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The Pacing: Unlike the tightly choreographed “pop” shows of the past, Bad Bunny’s set leaned heavily on atmosphere and artistic vignettes that some felt lacked the “anthem” energy required for a stadium of 70,000 people.
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The Sound Mix: Early reports from Levi’s Stadium suggested that the heavy bass of reggaeton struggled against the stadium’s acoustics, leaving some fans in the upper decks feeling alienated.
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The Language Barrier: While music is universal, a segment of the domestic audience expressed frustration that the show didn’t cater enough to the “classic” American Super Bowl aesthetic.
If Reid’s comment holds water, it suggests that even at the highest levels of the sport, there is a desire for the halftime show to return to something more grounded—perhaps a return to the rock-and-roll or “legacy” acts that defined the early 2000s.
The Viral Fallout: Why This Quote Matters
In an era where every celebrity interaction is carefully managed by PR teams, seeing a figure as respected as Andy Reid “not mince words” is a breath of fresh air—or a slap in the face, depending on who you ask.
The internet has already split into two fierce camps. On one side, the “Benito stans” are out in full force, accusing the NFL coaching legend of being “out of touch” and failing to appreciate the global shift in musical tastes. On the other side, a massive wave of fans has rallied behind Reid, praising his honesty and using the hashtag #ReidWasRight to share their own grievances about the show’s production.
This isn’t just about one coach’s opinion; it’s a referendum on the Super Bowl Halftime Show’s identity. Is it a showcase for the world’s biggest current artist, or is it a show for the football fan?
The “Chiefs Factor”
There is also the underlying tension of the Chiefs’ absence from this year’s Big Game. With Patrick Mahomes sidelined and the Chiefs missing their first Super Bowl in years, many wonder if Reid’s irritability stems from the frustration of watching the festivities from the outside.
When you aren’t the one playing for the ring, everything—from the quality of the turf to the choice of the halftime performer—is viewed through a more critical lens. For Reid, watching a show he found lackluster might have been the salt in the wound of a season that ended prematurely.
Looking Toward Super Bowl LXI
The NFL and Apple Music now find themselves in a difficult position. If a pillar of the league like Andy Reid is willing to go on record calling their flagship entertainment “the worst,” changes may be coming for the 2027 show.
Will the league pivot back to a more “middle-of-the-road” act to appease the veterans and the traditionalists? Or will they double down on the younger, more diverse demographics that Bad Bunny undeniably attracts?
One thing is certain: Andy Reid’s commentary has ensured that this halftime show will be remembered far longer than the game itself. Whether you loved the neon lights of Puerto Rico or longed for the days of Bruce Springsteen, the debate is no longer about the music—it’s about the soul of the Sunday spectacle.
