BREAKING: San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan publicly criticizes NFL for choosing Bad Bunny to perform at Super Bowl halftime show: “Is this football or a circus?” The NFL has been thrown into chaos as coach Kyle Shanahan threatened to pull the 49ers from the game if Bad Bunny continues to perform at the Super Bowl.
In a shocking escalation of the NFL’s ongoing halftime show controversy, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has openly condemned the league’s decision to feature Latin megastar Bad Bunny as the main act for the 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show. Known for his usually calm and measured demeanor, Shanahan stunned reporters with a fiery critique that left no room for doubt about his feelings.
“This is supposed to be the pinnacle of football,” Shanahan said in a post-practice press conference. “Is this football or a circus? If the league continues down this path, the 49ers will have to think very seriously about whether we want to participate in a spectacle that disrespects the game.”
NFL in Crisis Mode
The comments, coming from one of the league’s most respected coaches, threw NFL executives into panic. Shanahan reportedly raised his concerns directly with Commissioner Roger Goodell, urging the league to rethink its priorities before alienating players, coaches, and fans who want the focus to remain on football.
49ers Fans Divided
As expected, 49ers fans immediately took to social media, where the debate exploded:
- Supporters of Shanahan praised his bold stance:
“Finally, someone has the guts to say it. The Super Bowl should be about football, not celebrity concerts.” - Critics slammed him for being outdated:
“Bad Bunny is global. The NFL needs to evolve. Shanahan should focus on winning games, not the halftime show.”
Tradition vs. Spectacle
The Super Bowl Halftime Show has always been a cultural lightning rod, from Janet Jackson’s infamous “wardrobe malfunction” to Shakira and J.Lo’s headline-making performance. But Shanahan’s comments mark the first time a coach has threatened to withdraw a team over the entertainment lineup.
Sports analysts say this controversy has turned into a larger struggle between preserving football tradition and embracing the NFL’s future as a global entertainment brand.
What’s Next
While it remains uncertain if Shanahan truly intends to pull the 49ers from the big game, his remarks have already intensified the spotlight on the NFL’s decision. The league now finds itself at the center of a cultural clash, and the pressure is mounting from all sides.
One thing is clear: the 2026 Super Bowl may be remembered less for what happens on the field and more for the off-field drama surrounding whether the NFL has chosen spectacle over sport.
This story is still developing.
