Jason Kelce Denies Fake Quotes Amid Bad Bunny Super Bowl Controversy
LOS ANGELES — NFL legend Jason Kelce has been forced to publicly refute a series of quotes attributed to him that spread across social media in recent days, igniting controversy over the upcoming Super Bowl LX halftime show. The remarks, widely circulated but entirely fabricated, claimed that Kelce criticized critics of Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny, who has been selected to perform at next year’s show in California.
The viral posts falsely attributed to Kelce read: “If Bad Bunny is a bad fit for the Super Bowl, then maybe the people making these comments are a bad fit for America’s future.” The fabricated quote quickly gained traction online, fueled by partisan commentary and heated discussions surrounding the NFL’s decision to feature the Latin artist, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio.
Kelce, 38, who now serves as an NFL analyst for ESPN, took to X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday to clarify the situation and set the record straight. “I normally don’t comment on things like this, but I feel I need to address that there are a number of accounts posting fake quotes and attributing them to me on this platform right now,” he wrote. “I will not address the other accounts specifically, because I do not want to amplify their engagement. But please know, unless you hear something directly from me via one of my platforms, it is not real.”
The clarification came amid a broader cultural and political backlash over Bad Bunny’s halftime show. Following the NFL’s September 28 announcement, conservative commentators and political figures criticized the selection, framing it as a potential politicization of America’s most-watched sporting event.
The Backlash Against Bad Bunny
Bad Bunny, a three-time Grammy winner and global phenomenon, has been outspoken on social and political issues, including criticism of former President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. He also made headlines for refusing to schedule tour dates in the continental United States due to fears that ICE agents might disrupt his shows. These factors amplified conservative concerns over his Super Bowl appearance.
Turning Point USA, the conservative campus activist group founded by the late Charlie Kirk, announced plans to host an alternative halftime event titled “All American Halftime Show”, promoting traditional American values and patriotic themes. The organization framed the event as a protest against the NFL’s choice, emphasizing faith, family, and freedom as core messages.
Political Voices Weigh In
High-profile figures joined the discourse. Former President Donald Trump expressed skepticism about the NFL’s decision, telling Newsmax: “I have never heard of him, I don’t know who he is, I don’t know why they’re doing it—it’s, like, crazy… I think it’s absolutely ridiculous.”
Corey Lewandowski, a former Trump adviser, amplified the criticism, calling the selection “so shameful” and asserting that Bad Bunny “seems to hate America.” He also warned that ICE agents would be monitoring the Super Bowl in San Francisco, emphasizing that illegal entrants would face enforcement actions: “There is nowhere you can provide safe haven to people who are in this country illegally. Not the Super Bowl and nowhere else. We will find and deport you. That is a very real situation.”
On the other side, Bad Bunny has remained unfazed by the backlash. During his Saturday Night Live season premiere, he addressed critics in both English and Spanish. “You might not know this, but I’m doing the Super Bowl halftime show, and I’m very happy, and I think everyone is happy about it — even Fox News,” he joked. A heavily edited clip of the segment humorously stitched together pundits’ commentary to make it appear as if they endorsed him as “my favorite musician” and even suggested he “should be the next president.”
Bad Bunny concluded his monologue with a defiant challenge to detractors in Spanish: “If you did not understand what I just said… you have four months to learn!” He also paid tribute to Latino pioneers who paved the way for his career, stating: “Especially all of the Latinos and Latinas in the world here in the United States who have worked to open doors. It’s more than a win for myself — it’s a win for all of us. Our footprints and our contribution in this country, no one will ever be able to take that away or erase it.”
The Social Media Storm
Kelce’s denial of the fabricated quote did little to quell the growing storm of online discourse surrounding the Super Bowl halftime show. Fans and critics alike debated the appropriateness of Bad Bunny’s selection, the role of political commentary in entertainment, and the responsibilities of high-profile figures in influencing public opinion. Hashtags such as #BoycottBadBunny and #SuperBowlPolitics began trending on platforms like X, TikTok, and Instagram.
Meanwhile, petitions advocating for country music icon George Strait to replace Bad Bunny on the halftime stage gained traction. One petition, started by a user named Kar Shell, argued that the show “should unite our country, honor American culture, and remain family-friendly, not be turned into a political stunt.” Shell added, “Bad Bunny represents none of these values; his drag performances and style are the opposite of what families expect on football’s biggest stage.” As of this week, the petition had amassed over 2,000 signatures, illustrating the extent to which fans are willing to mobilize online to influence cultural events.
Kelce’s Role and the Importance of Clarity
Kelce’s statement underscores the challenges public figures face when social media amplifies misinformation. As a respected NFL veteran and current analyst, Kelce has a responsibility to clarify his position to prevent misattribution of statements that could inflame tensions further. “Unless you hear it directly from me, it’s not real,” Kelce emphasized, signaling a commitment to truth amidst a sea of viral falsehoods.
The incident highlights the intersection of sports, entertainment, and politics, illustrating how quickly narratives can spread, distort, and impact public perception. For Kelce, distancing himself from the fabricated quote is critical to maintaining credibility among fans, colleagues, and media outlets.
Looking Ahead to February 2026
With Super Bowl LX scheduled for February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, the NFL faces the delicate challenge of balancing artistic innovation, audience expectations, and potential political fallout. Bad Bunny’s Spanish-language performance represents a historic first for the Super Bowl, emphasizing global diversity and cultural representation. Yet, the backlash underscores the polarized nature of modern fan bases, where entertainment, identity, and ideology collide.
Meanwhile, TPUSA’s All American Halftime Show is expected to draw conservative audiences seeking an alternative celebration aligned with their values. The event’s focus on English-language music, Americana, country, and traditional themes reflects a deliberate positioning against the official Super Bowl performance.
Jason Kelce’s measured denial of false quotes highlights the high stakes for public figures navigating a highly charged cultural moment. As the controversy around Bad Bunny’s halftime show continues to unfold, the intersection of music, politics, and sports has become a flashpoint for broader debates about identity, representation, and cultural values in America.
While Bad Bunny prepares to bring Latin music to one of the world’s largest stages, the dialogue surrounding the performance — fueled by petitions, conservative protests, and viral misattributions — reflects the broader tensions shaping American society in 2025 and beyond. In this fraught environment, Kelce’s insistence on separating fact from fiction serves as a reminder of the responsibility of public figures to maintain clarity amid a whirlwind of misinformation.
