Eric Dickerson brought the Super Bowl halftime debate back into the spotlight with recent comments about Bad Bunny. The Hall of Fame running back spoke bluntly about the NFL’s choice of the Album of the Year artist being this year’s headliner.
Eric Dickerson Keeps Criticism Pointed at the NFL
Dickerson told TMZ Sports he has not changed his mind about the selection. He reiterated that the league should have turned to an American artist. Speaking at the San Jose airport, he asked why performers from the Bay Area or other U.S. markets were not considered for the NFL’s biggest stage.
Bad Bunny is an American citizen, as Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States.
“Why can’t we get somebody from right here, from home? How about someone from right here in San Francisco? All these artists right here in the area to play at the Super Bowl,” Dickerson said.
“I don’t see why they chose that,” he added. “But the NFL does things that just baffle your mind, so.”
Dickerson also questioned how a Spanish-language show would connect with a national audience. Bad Bunny is scheduled to become the first solo Latino headliner in Super Bowl history when the show airs Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Eric Dickerson is NOT backing down from his Bad Bunny stance — and now he’s dragging the NFL into the fire! https://t.co/9emXbnlhvh pic.twitter.com/7qE9KE3KtV
— TMZ (@TMZ) February 6, 2026
Dickerson widened the conversation beyond the concert. He called the Rooney Rule ineffective and said Black coaches are still not getting fair opportunities for top jobs. He described league decision-making as driven by money and called the NFL “one of the most corrupt organizations there is.”
The former Rams star first criticized the pick after Bad Bunny was announced in September. His recent comments show his stance has not softened.
Since his retirement, Dickerson has remained an outspoken personality. He does not shy away from stances similar to this. Dickerson finished his career with 13,259 rushing yards, second most in league history at that time.
MORE: Conservatives Call for Boycott of Super Bowl 60 Over Bad Bunny’s Halftime Show: ‘ENOUGH IS ENOUGH’
The halftime show will air during the Super Bowl 60 broadcast on NBC. Bad Bunny enters the performance as a recent Grammy winner and one of the most-streamed artists in the world. The league is promoting the show as part of its outreach to Latino and international fans.
Super Bowl halftimes regularly draw audiences larger than 100 million viewers in the United States. Dickerson’s comments ensured the issue would follow the league into the final stretch before kickoff.
The championship game will be played Sunday in Santa Clara, with the halftime set expected near the midpoint of the broadcast. The NFL is advertising the show as an opportunity for the world to dance together.
